Cross Keys 15 vs Pontypridd 27

Pontypridd secured a quickfire double over Cross Keys, following up on their emphatic Cup Final victory the previous weekend with a much closer fought 15pts to 27 away win in the league.

The visitors got off to the best possible start after full back Dale Stuckey fielded a high ball, instigating a surging attack which culminated with centre Stuart Floyd-Ellis crossing for an unconverted try with barely two minutes on the clock. Keys responded with a concerted period of pressure, electing to kick to the corners rather than at goal, but time and again held up by a resolute Ponty defence. The Gwent side were dominating territory but not threatening the try-line, eventually settling for a penalty kicked by centre Adam Tetley following a high tackle offence. As Ponty attempted to strike back, Keys full back Ralph Miller intercepted to race in long distance for a try which Tetley converted.

Again Pontypridd sought to set up an attacking platform but were undone by a stray line-out throw, frustrations then simmering into an off the ball set-to between the opposing forwards with both captains lectured by the referee. The game was in danger of stagnating following a bout of aerial ping-pong, marred by handling errors and injury delays. Ponty finally regained some momentum following a loping run by winger Sam Talbot, opposite wing Jude Williams then forging a half break and feeding a scoring pass to Floyd-Ellis to level the scores 10pts all just past the half hour.  It was the visitors who finished off the first half the stronger with centre Garyn Smith breaking the gain line to set up a field position for outside half Jaydan Pugh to kick a penalty, securing a slender three point advantage for his side at the interval.

HALF TIME – Cross Keys 10-13 Pontypridd

The visitors were back on the attack as play resumed, pile-driving into the home twenty-two then electing to take scrum penalties rather than kicks at goal, a ploy which paid off as full back Dale Stuckey sniped over for a close range try which was converted by Pugh. The referee’s decisions were at this time favouring Ponty, giving them a territorial edge and allowing them to launch wide attacks which however came to nothing. The contest was close-fought, sometimes feisty and frenetic on a bone-dry surface but it was the Keys who then moved up a gear with a kick and chase counter, setting up winger Laurence Donnelly to jink his way over for an unconverted try.

Going into the final quarter, Ponty responded with a concerted period of pressure, attempting to give the ball width at every opportunity and eventually rewarded as Stuckey made an incisive break to score, his try converted by Pugh. Handling and kicking errors were again blighting a contest that was in danger of petering out into a scrappy finish, although with both sides showing plenty of endeavour if lacking the necessary finesse. Ponty were just about getting the better of the late exchanges but replacement outside half Jacob Symes was off target with a penalty attempt with the last kick of the game. His side had however done enough to nail a bonus point win by 15pts to 27 which had been hard fought but well deserved.

FULL TIME – Cross Keys 15-27 Pontypridd (12/4/2025)

Match report – Guto Davies

PONTYPRIDD –

15. Dale Stuckey. 14. Sam Talbot (Rhodri Smith). 13. Stuart Floyd-Ellis. 12. Garyn Smith. 11. Jude Williams. 10. Jaydan Pugh (Jacob Symes). 9. Lucus Welch.

1. Morgan Bosanko (Ben Drew). 2. Jeffrey Young (Rob Jones). 3. Garyn Daniel (Kian Mattravers). 4. Mitch Barnard. 5. Kristian Parker (Niall Moore). 6. Will Jameson. 7. Cally James (c) (Ethan Evans). 8. Lloyd Riley.

Subs: 16. Rob Jones. 17. Ben Drew. 18. Kian Mattravers. 19. Niall Moore. 20. Ethan Evans. 21. Joel Raikes. 22. Jacob Symes. 23. Rhodri Smith.

Tries: Stuart Floyd-Ellis x 2, Dale Stuckey x 2

Conversions: Jaydan Pugh x 2

Penalty: Jaydan Pugh

CROSS KEYS –

15. Ralph Miller. 14. Victor Corrihons (Stef Petrescu). 13. Duan Thomas. 12. Adam Tetley. 11. Laurence Donnelly. 10. Ben Murphy. 9. Dan Babos (Tom Bridge).

1. Rhys Hunt (Jake Wisniewski). 2. Nathan Huish (Dafydd Jones). 3. Tom Burnham (Henry Aiono). 4. Sam Llewellyn (Josh Wall). 5. Jon Verrier (Kiaran Lewis). 6. Jake Davies (Louis Pullen). 7. Will Morgan. 8. Corey Nicholls (c).

Subs: 16. Dafydd Jones. 17. Jake Wisniewski. 18. Henry Aiono. 19. Josh Wall. 20. Kiaran Lewis. 21. Louis Pullen. 22. Tom Bridge. 23. Stef Petrescu.

Tries: Ralph Miller, Laurence Donnelly

Conversion: Adam Tetley

Penalty: Adam Tetley

Referee: Carwyn Sion

Assistant Referee/Third Official: Rob Mota