Newport had lost their last three outings against the Keys including an earlier season defeat at Pandy Park when Scott Williams was bizarrely yellow-carded ad allowed Keys to score 17 pts. The card was later rescinded but the damage had been done. Keys probably were full of confidence but their dreams of ma further win took a mighty blow as Newport second row barged over after just 2 mins and No 10 Chris Wannell converted for his first of 8 successful consecutive kicks. His second kick on 7 mins made the score 10-0 to Newport. Sadly on 10 mins the first of what were to be a number of unsavoury incidents led to Sam Waldron and Rob Nash going to the bin for fighting.. Keys full-back Gareth David missed a penalty on 14 mins but just two mins later flanker Rhys Peebles got over for a try after a nice break by No 10 David Langdon. Craig David converted and then Langdon was yellow carded for killing the ball on 19 mins. Wannell kicked the penalty and then David missed for Keys on 24 mins. Continual infringements by Keys on 30 and 36 mins gave Wannell two more successful kicks and a score of 19-7. A cutting break by centre Richard Payne led to a nice try finished off by wing Adam Hughes on 38 mins. Wannell of course put over his 6th successful kick. Another fine move from inside their own half by Newport - who were playing all the good rugby nice rugby – involving captain Andrew Coombs, flanker Sam Waldron and the always dangerous wing Mike Poole was finished off by tighthead Gethin Robinson for a half-time lead of 33-7 after Wannell had converted on 40+1 mins.                                                                                                                                     

 

Newport were now outplaying Keys and their pack was not only much stronger but also more mobile with the front row of Pattison, Brown and Robinson outstanding and the back row of Waldron, Hill and Coombs cutting Keys to pieces. It took Newport just 1 min into the 2nd half to secure their bonus point when flanker Craig Hill had a beautiful run through evading several tacklers. Wannell added his 8th successful kick for a score now of 40-7. More pain was to come for Keys as centre Richard Payne playing on the wing and having a good game scored on 17 mins. The try was thanks to a super run by Wannell who had been limping badly and then left the field. Replacement Dan Griffiths missed the conversion. The 2nd half deteriorated badly as Newport eased off, made a number of replacements - some through injury – and Keys felt it necessary to try to use hard man tactics. Ironically it was Newport who got 3 yellow cards for technical offences on 25 mins (Andrew Coombs), 34 mins (Adam Brown) and 39 mins (Scott Williams). Keys ran in tries by replacement Ryan James on 26 mins - he also converted - and captain Lloyd Burns on 34 mins for a final score of 45-19. Keys at times showed they could play some decent rugby but it was a pity that they spoiled the evening with some strong arm tactics – Pontypool tried this earlier in the season and failed – and in truth Keys were lucky only to get 2 yellow cards and finish with 15 men. Quite how full-back Craig David stayed on the field after a cowardly right hook on a Newport player following up is anyone’s guess and to rub salt into the wounds Keys were given a penalty but perhaps justice was done when David missed the kick at goal. Once again the Technical Area – as for the Pontypool match - was a mess. There were far too many people on the touch-line which incensed a number of supporters who could not see the game properly. Perhaps the time has come for referees and officials in Welsh club rugby to take firm action. For next week’s B&IC match vs Gael Force the referee will have to – as for all B&IC matches – give his approval (or otherwise) that the Technical Area was acceptable.                      

 

                                                                                                                                                 
Newport: G Wyatt (D Griffiths HT), A Hughes (P Leach 42), R Payne, S Williams, M Poole, C Wannell (K Barrett 58), A Quick, D Pattison, Andrew Brown, G Robinson (D Way 51), D Rosser, A Jones, Adam Brown (10-14, 28), S Waldron (D McShane 43), C Hill, A Coombs (capt).
Scorers: Tries: A Jones, A Hughes, G Robinson, C Hill, R Payne and C Wannell 4c, 4p.
Yellow cards: S Waldron 9, A Coombs 65, Adam Brown 74, S Williams 79.                                                                                                                                                                               
Cross Keys: G David (C Pocock 58), J Bird, L Andrews, P Williams (O Jones 70), N Trowbridge, D Langdon (R James 58), J Leadbeater, J Price (P Douglas HT), L Burns (capt), R Cornock (C Gould HT), C Bridges (M Curtis 54), B Watkins, R Peebles (R Emms 61), R Nash, T Lampard.
Scorers: Tries: R Peebles, R James, L Burns and G David 1c, R James 1c.
Yellow cards: R Nash 9, D Langdon 19.                           Referee: Sean Brickell.