THIS was a splendid performance by Cross Keys, who dominated throughout and were just inches away from the bonus point that coaches Rob Beale and David Manley were urging their men on for.

Manley was shouting: "Throw it out! Go for it!" and Keys did their best, but a pass was dropped in the last movement, yet in the relentless pouring rain, it was they who played the rugby and ran in three tries.

It left Manley well pleased, saying: "The wings playing today were both teenagers. We have injuries, but we nearly took the bonus and if I had been offered this result a few weeks ago I certainly would have taken it."

Long-serving club secretary Chris Clarke commented: "I think Aberavon's minds were on injuries and next Saturday's cup semi-final, but we gave a fine all-round performance."

Former Keys backs coach Nicky Lloyd, now with Aberavon, said: "Cross Keys certainly must take credit as they deserved to win. They kicked well and were good in the contact area."

Outstanding for the home side was hooker Lloyd Burns, who crashed over for the first try in the 10th minute - his eighth in his first Premier season with the club.

By then, fly-half Scott Sneddon had placed a penalty, and after adding the conversion to the Burns try he just failed to add the extras after classy young centre Karl Pocock, whose father was a former Newport forward, had gone over.

Ricky Thomas had answered with two penalties, but Sneddon added two before the break and both soon added further goals for 24-9.

Aberavon's one good move brought a try for Wales Under-18 centre Ashley Beck, but within five minutes an all-out Keys move saw Burns pass to right wing James Leadbeter, who had switched to the left looking for work.

Leadbeter needed no bidding and burst through several tacklers for a good score that Sneddon converted.

With seven minutes remaining Burns, Colin Bridges, Tom Lampard and co set about the Wizards for a vital fourth score, but the rain was teeming down and the muddy ball just defeated all their valiant efforts.

Cross Keys: A Thomas; J Leadbeter, K Pocock, D Price, M Pewtner; S Sneddon, O Jones (R James 60); J Price (D Preece 33), L Burns, C Gould (N Buck 69), M Curtis (capt), A Sweet, R Peebles, C Bridges, T Lampard.

Tries - L Burns, K Pocock, J Leadbeter; cons: S Sneddon 2; pens: S Sneddon 4.

Aberavon: J Garland; J Phillips, L Gadd, A Beck, P Bamsey; R Thomas, C Morgans (G Hooper v58); N White (L Howell 50), M Breeze, P Breeze (M Harris 59), I Moore (capt) (R Morgan 48), A Fisher, C Davies (A Edwards 70), D Thomas (R Morris 39), S Peters.

Try: A Beck; pens: R Thomas 3.

Referee - David Jones (Blackwood).