Aberavon 36 Cross Keys 7

CROSS Keys turned in an opening 40 minutes at the Talbot Athletic Ground that had their coaches and supporters tearing their hair out and went into the change around 31-0 down.

To their credit, they came out with much more determination and actually won the second half 7-5, becoming the first team to score there in a spell that had seen Aberavon run up 87 points without a reply.

Backs coach David Manley called the display “totally unacceptable”.

He added: “There was no tackling; no desire and no pride.

“We have been unlucky in some games this season but this was not one of them and it now makes our next two home games against Pontypool and Llandovery vitally important.

“But, I do not believe we are a bad side. Yes, we have had injuries, though Colin Bridges and James Malpas should soon be available.”

There were also problems on the field as young prop Nathan Buck had to be stretchered off after only 19 minutes and full back Leon Andrews, in his first start of the season, did not come out for the second half.

The news later was that neither Andrews (leg) nor Buck (knee) were too seriously hurt, though Buck was sent to hospital for an X-ray.

In the first half, Keys rarely looked dangerous, playing almost constantly off the back foot, though Andrews tried hard in what has never been a happy pitch for him, even in his spell with Cardiff.

Andrews did make one break from deep, but James Garland, who came up from duty with Loughor, tackled him from behind.

It was Garland who converted a corner try after former Newport flanker Chris Davies crossed the line.

Then, Garland placed a penalty and raced through a huge gap in the Keys defence for a solo try he converted.

An interception by Richard Carter and another Davies try, both converted, took Aberavon out of sight.

However, a blasting from the coaches saw Keys wake up with William Johnstone throwing away a try as Maule waited for the pass.

However, good forward play enabled Maule to send centre Carl Pocock over and James Leadbeater converted.

Another good Maule run brought no further score and after Keys backs had been caught in possession, Aberavon sent along the line for another Carter try.

Former Keys coach Nicky Lloyd, now with Aberavon, said: “To their credit Keys were more dogged in the second half.”

Aberavon: M Bennett (Ricky Thomas 37-40, 76); R Carter, L Gadd, A Beck (D Pritchard 53), Richard Thomas; J Garland, C Morgans; N White (M Harris 73), C Wells (M Breeze 38), P Breeze (A Edwards 68), I Moore (capt), A Fisher (C Gittins 69), D Thomas, R Morris, C Davies (M Harris 39-49, R Gallagher 60).

Yellow Cards - N White (36-46), I Moore (46-56).

Tries - R Carter 2, C Davies 2, J Garland. Cons - J Garland 4. Pen - J Garland.

Cross Keys: L Andrews (G Ashman 40); J Egan, G Maule, C Pocock, W Johnstone; P Smithson (N Trowbridge 59), J Leadbeater (R James 77); D Preece (J Price 53), L Burns (C Davies 71), N Buck (C Gould 19), M Curtis, B Watkins (capt), R Peebles (A Sweet 48), G Gladwyn, T Lampard.

Yellow Card - R Peebles (13-23).

Try - C Pocock. Con - J Leadbeater.

Referee: Steve Edwards (Ammanford).