CROSS KEYS failed to climb out of the relegation zone as they fell to a 5-13 defeat at Swansea, writes Paul Hopkins.

It was almost a great start for the All Whites as a powerful break by Jay Williams forced the visitors into conceding an early penalty, but Steffen Williams missed his effort at goal.

A missed tackle by Carwyn Penny saw Ryan Griffiths race down the wing up to half way, but a poor grubber kick handed the visitors possession.

Keys counter-attacked through Tiaan Loots and Rory Budina, but Swansea turned the ball over and Steffen Williams sprinted through the middle, finding Joe Thomas in support. The centre chipped through but was deliberately tackled without the ball by Owain Leonard, who was promptly yellow carded for a professional foul.

Damian Welch took the lineout and his pack rolled forward, earning a penalty as the Whites defended from an offside position. Jacob Botica kicked to the corner and both Adam Jones and Welch came close to scoring, before Leonard swept quick ball out wide for Leon Andrews to score in the corner.

Leonard tried to snipe through a gap at the ruck as the visitors continued to attack at will, but Botica was forced into a drop goal from deep, which he skewed wide of the posts.

Phil Jones sprinted through the middle, but was stopped by an ankle tap, but the Whites managed to recycle ball, before Joe Thomas raced home to score under the posts.

Then Jones tried a grubber kick, but was unable to regather over the line. Instead play was brought back for a penalty to the home side and Tom Lampard was yellow carded.

In the dying seconds a powerful scrum by the home side earned a penalty and Keys’ losing bonus point vanished with the swing of Phil Jones’ boot.

Swansea: Tries: J Thomas (62). Cons: P Jones (63). Pens: S Williams (10), P Jones (80+5)

Cross Keys: Tries: L Andrews (36)