Cross Keys 14-36 Pontypridd – Match Report

A weak winter sun tried hard to shine on a muddy Pandy Park as Pontypridd came in search of a season’s double over hosts Cross Keys, and this they ultimately achieved with a five try, 14pts to 36 victory.

Having claimed their own kick-off Cross Keys started the game brightly but failing to utilise a driving maul, allowed Ponty to counter. Despite back-tracking in the scrum the visitors continued to press and put the scoreboard in motion as they whipped the ball wide for winger Louis Rochefort-Shugar to dab down by the corner flag. Ponty were enjoying a wealth of possession and earning penalty awards, one of which was aimed at goal but Rhodri Smith’s effort wide of the target. Although still showing up well in the set pieces Cross Keys were unable to get a grip on the game which was being played almost exclusively in their half. Jordan Coxley kept Ponty in forward gear with a charge before home flanker Max Heathman was shown yellow for infringing, Ponty advancing from a line-out drive and after playing through the phases, seeing prop Ben Drew drive over from close range, his try converted by Smith. Poaching line-out ball, the visitors maintained momentum with Callum Coxley forging a midfield break before providing a scoring pass to Rhodri Smith, who goaled his own try.

From the restart, the home team’s woes were compounded as back rower Alfy Johnson was dispatched to the sin-bin for the use of a high elbow, and his side again losing their own line-out ball to yield any initiative gained. Ponty were soon back in forward gear, kicking well for field position and going close to scoring from an ambitious cross kick to the corner. After tensions momentarily boiled over into a fracas between the two packs, the visitors again applied intense pressure from a line-out drive with the Keys seeing yellow for a third time, prop Richie Cornock the transgressor. Having dominated for most of the first period, Ponty extended their lead through a Rhodri Smith penalty, 22 unanswered points to the good going into the break.

HALF TIME: Cross Keys 0-22  Pontypridd

The second half commenced as a more evenly balanced affair with the Keys enjoying a greater share of possession but unable to make an impact, still faltering in the line-outs although strong in the scrums. Ponty in turn launched a kick and chase counter from deep but then having to settle back in defence to soak up more of the home team’s pressure. Cross Keys finally achieved a breakthrough as a speculative high kick was gathered, replacement Sam Taylor up in support to cut through for a try which Josh Malson converted. Ponty’s repost was immediate with a kick and rush foray culminating in a scrambled try claimed by centre Stuart Floyd-Ellis and converted from a wide angle by Smith, the bonus point now in the bag.

The contest remained close fought and sometimes scrappy into its final quarter, Ponty again making ground through a Ioan Davies charge only to eventually loose the ball in contact. Persistence paid for the visitors as Logan Jones set off on a dynamic break, providing an opportunity for lock Lloyd Riley to cross for a try which was again converted by Smith. The Keys responded with a sweeping attack, undone by a handling error with the try line in sight, but maintained momentum through a solid scrum platform, camped for a while in their opponents’ twenty-two. Home pressure finally told as outside half Josh Malson barged over for a try which he also converted. The Gwent side seemed to be finishing the game the stronger but Ponty turning defence into attack through a George Thorrington counter along the touchline. Handling errors were prevalent from both sides as the contest petered out with one last Cross Keys attack proving to be in vain and Pontypridd holding out for their 14pts to 36 win.

FULL TIME: Cross Keys 14-36  Pontypridd

Match Report – Guto Davies (28/2/2026)

CROSS KEYS:

15.Eamon Rees (Ben Murphy). 14.Joe Salter. 13.Tom Sullivan (Morgan Carter). 12.Duan Thomas (c). 11.Harry Dawes. 10.Josh Malson. 9.Dylan Davies.

1.Taylor Pescud (Rhys Hunt). 2.Nathan Huish (Dafydd Jones). 3.Tom Burnham (Richie Cornock / Tom Burnham). 4.Chris Johnsey. 5.Jon Verrier (Kiaran Lewis). 6.Alfy Johnson (Sam Taylor). 7.Max Heathman (Kobi Rees). 8.Will Morgan.

Subs: 16.Dafydd Jones. 17.Rhys Hunt. 18.Richie Cornock. 19.Kiaran Lewis  20.Sam Taylor. 21.Kobi Rees. 22.Morgan Carter. 23.Ben Murphy.

Tries: Sam Taylor (55); Josh Malson (71)

Cons: Josh Malson (55, 72)

Yellow Cards: Max Heathman (15); Alfy Johnson (21); Richie Cornock (37)                                                                                                                                      

PONTYPRIDD:

15.Jorge Lucey (George Thorrington). 14.Louis Rochefort-Shugar (George Thorrington temp). 13.Stuart Floyd-Ellis. 12.Callum Coxley. 11.Rhodri Smith. 10.Logan Jones (Jorge Lucey). 9.Lloyd Dennett (Joel Raikes).

1.Ben Drew (Ben Stephens). 2.Connah Hughes (Louis Tovey). 3.Finian Murray (Kian Mattravers). 4.Joe Miles (Lloyd Riley). 5.Callum Bradbury. 6.Cai James (Mitch Barnard). 7.Cally James (c) (Ioan Davies). 8.Jordan Coxley.

Subs: 16.Louis Tovey. 17.Ben Stephens. 18.Kian Mattravers. 19.Mitch Barnard. 20.Lloyd Riley. 21.Ioan Davies. 22.Joel Raikes. 23.George Thorrington.

Tries: Louis Rochefort-Shugar (5); Ben Drew (16); Rhodri Smith (20); Stuart Floyd-Ellis (57); Lloyd Riley (64)

Cons: Rhodri Smith (17, 21, 57, 65)

Pens: Rhodri Smith (40)                                                                                                  

Referee:  Lloyd Edwards                AR3: Tony Davies

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