CROSS Keys slumped to their second successive Premiership defeat after they were shocked at home by an excellent Bargoed side who left Pandy Park with a famous bonus point victory, writes Iwan Davies.

The Rhymney Valley were full value for their win in a fabulous encounter, outscoring their hosts by four tries to two.

The visitors got off to a terrific start when former Keys player Ieuan Jones, the ex-Newport Gwent Dragons back rower leaving Pandy Park over the summer, raced away from a maul to cross for a try under the posts, full-back Matthew Lewis converting for a 7-0 lead after just two minutes.

Keys hit back with two penalties, the first a monster from inside his own half by No 15 Carl Meyer, and the second slotted over by fly-half Josh Prosser.

The Pandy Park outfit started to get the upper hand in the scrum were able to start gaining control of the game.

They went ahead in the 27th minute when Prosser kicked his second penalty.

An excellent break by Bargoed winger Ashley Norton saw them eventually win a penalty but they turned down what would probably have been an easy three points to go for broke in the corner.

But the gamble didn’t come off and the first half ended with Keys lucky to lead 9-7 after the visitors had shown more adventure and cohesion.

The second half begun with both sides scoring cracking tries.

The first came after lock Tom Lampard set off on a glorious run which saw the ball recycled to Prosser whose deft chip found second row Josh Skinner who crossed for a converted touchdown.

Bargoed hit back immediately when a openside flanker Grant Rogers crossed after a superb break by centre Darren Humphries, Lewis bagging the conversion to make it 16-14 after 48 minutes.

The hosts stretched their lead to nine points after a fine individual score by wing Joe Goodchild was converted by Prosser.

This happened while replacement scrum-half James Pizey was off the field with a yellow card for taking out a player in the air, The visitors kept themselves in the hunt after the reliable Lewis kicked two penalties to set up a tense finale.

Bargoed regained the lead after a magnificent effort by their pack saw them drive over the Keys try-line, referee Adam Jones awarding them a penalty try.

Keys went into the last 10 minutes with only 13 men after captain and No 8 Adam Powell was sin binned for pulling down the maul that led to that penalty try and replacement hooker Darren Hughes joining him soon after for using his shoulder when hitting a ruck.

Bargoed wrapped things up when Norton crossed for their bonus point try as they exploited the gaps in the Keys defence.

Cross Keys: C Meyer, M Powell, A Warren, B Nightingale, J Goodchild, J Prosser, O Leonard (J Leadbeater 71), C Hewlett (L Smout 60), R Jones (G Ellis 39), R Cornock (N Buck 34-38, 52), T Lampard, J Skinner, L Davies (D Hughes 46), J Thomas (M George 60), A Powell (capt) Bargoed: M Lewis, L Smalley, J Howells, D Humphries, A Norton, I Smerdon, J Hallet (J Pizey 47), R Morgan (capt), L Lippiett, J Williams, M Thomas, L Blacker, L Weyman (G Clarke 48), G Rogers, I Jones.

Referee: Adam Jones (WRU) Cross Keys scorers: Tries – Josh Skinner, Joe Goodchild, Conversions – Josh Prosser (2), Penalties – Carl Meyer, Prosser (2).

Bargoed scorers: Tries – Ieuan Jones, Grant Rogers, Penalty try, Ashley Norton, Conversions – Matthew Lewis (3), Penalties – M Lewis (2).

Argus star man: Darren Humphries