CROSS Keys kept themselves in the hunt for the Principality Premiership play-offs after stunning Ebbw Vale at Eugene Cross Park, writes Iwan Gabe Davies.

League leaders the Steelmen were heavily fancied to win this encounter but defeat puts a real dent in their title ambitions.

A victory would have seen them go at least eight points ahead of reigning champions Pontypridd.

But the gutsy Keys showed great character to stay in the game after being completely overwhelmed in the first half.

The hosts started on fire and Keys were under the pump in the opening exchanges of this intense Gwent derby.

The Steelmen should have taken the lead in the opening minutes only for their outside half Iain Smerdon to miss a kickable shot at goal.

They then went close to crossing the visitors’ try-line from an impressive rolling maul and scrum half Rhys Downes nearly getting a touchdown only for it to be ruled out by the television match official, courtesy of the S4C coverage.

Under intense pressure from a series of scrum fives, the Pandy Park held on to weather the clear their lines.

Despite dominating territory and possession, Vale fell behind when Keys opened the scoring against the run of play.

The visitors went into a 3-0 lead thanks to a fine penalty by their No 10 Ethan Davies after 27 minutes.

Vale threatened the Keys line again five minutes before the interval after lock Ashley Sweet set off on a powerful run.

But again, courageous defence by Keys kept them at bay after Ebbw were penalised for holding on.

The home side got a break just before the interval when Keys loosehead Richard Cornock was sin binned for wheeling the scrum.

Vale continued to batter away at their opponents but just couldn’t find away through as the brave Keys rearguard held them out as the hosts also turned down shots at goal.

The half ended with the visitors somehow leading by those three points.

Keys were far more competitive in the second half and enjoyed good early territory and possession.

A cute break by their No 9 James Leadbeater nearly led to a try, centre Phil Williams’ chip nearly seeing wing Nathan Trowbridge score.

Keys turned down a shot at goal only to lose the ensuing lineout in prime position.

But they went further ahead when they scored of a gem of a try, their backs showing great invention to send full back James Cordy-Redden over in the corner.

Davies’ magnificent conversion put them 10-0 up with just over a quarter of an hour to go.

They should have gone further ahead a few minutes later only for the ball to be spilled over the Steelmen’s try-line.

Vale rallied late on as they tried to salavge something from the game, but it was a day to forget for them as centre Carl Meyer was stretched from the field at the end before replacement outside half Dai Langdon missed a penalty that would have given them a losing bonus point.

Cross Keys scorers: Tries – Cordy-Redden (64), Conversions – Davies (64), Penalties – Davies (27)

Referee: Craig Evans (WRU)