Matthews is a future star

CROSS Keys director of rugby Jonathan Westwood predicts a bright future for flanker Scott Matthews after his accomplished performance in their bonus point victory.

The Wales Under-18s back rower shone in a superb team effort, his side halting a slide of four straight defeats with a sparkling win.

Keys dominated a highly entertaining encounter, bathed in sunshine at the Brewery Field, outscoring Bridgend by five tries to three.

Former Penallta player Matthews, aged 19, isn’t your archetypal openside, standing at just 5ft 9in and weighing 15st 6lb.

But Westwood insists that size doesn’t always matter and he also praised a trademark gutsy and determined effort by his men.

“I’m chuffed for the boys. It’s been a difficult few weeks for us and I was delighted with the effort – we got what we deserved,” he said.

“Scott was magnificent and he’s a real Cross Keys player – he’s honest, hard working and there’s a massive future for him as far as we are concerned.

“There will always be questions over his height, but I just urge anyone to take a look at a DVD of him playing.

“Why shouldn’t be able to (play professional rugby)? There’s someone earning a quarter of a million pounds a year in France doing it in Steffon Armitage.

“He isn’t the stereotypical back rower, but his performances outweigh his physical stature.”

It wasn’t just Matthews who stood out, several teammates can be proud for their displays when the chips were down.

Full back Gareth David, making his 100th appearance for Keys, was superb, as were the usual suspects, hooker Gerwyn Price, lock Dan Hodge and Tom Lampard.

And back rower Adam Powell showed his remarkable dedication to the Keys cause, choosing to be involved just before going under the knife for a knee operation.

Things had looked ominous early on for the visitors, Bridgend racking up a 10-0 early lead, all their points coming from a Jamie Murphy converted try and penalty.

Keys then took the game by the scruff of the neck, Dorian Jones’ well struck penalty followed by blindside flanker Rhys Peebles’ well taken his try after a great pick up by David.

They took the lead when a great finish by Matthews resulted in a converted try in the 24th minute.

The Pandy Park side were the only team in it for the rest of the half but failed to turn pressure and territory into points.

A Murphy drop goal on the stroke of half-time reduced Bridgend’s arrears to 15-13.

The second 40 only mirrored what had gone on before as Keys bossed affairs, although Murphy struck the first blow with a penalty.

The visitors regained the lead when a delighted David crossed for a try in the corner after excellent phase play by the forwards.

A Jones penalty extended their advantage in the 62nd minute before Bridgend were given a lifeline, sloppy play at the restart saw their wing Lewis Reece regain possession.

The ball was recycled well by the Ravens and lock Shaun O’Rourke brushed off some weak tackling to romp home, Murphy adding the extras to draw them level.

But it was Bridgend’s turn to give a master class in how to hand the momentum back to the opposition when Keys hit back immediately.

Lock Hodge charged down an attempted clearance before gathering the bouncing ball and just having enough gas to score near the posts, Jones converting.

But Keys failed to hold on to their lead, the Ravens tearing their defence to shreds, Matthews unlucky to be yellow carded after a try-saving tackle saw referee Andrew Davies ruling he’d challenged illegally at the ensuing ruck after getting back on his feet.

With Keys down to 14 men, replacement Andrew Waite powered over and Murphy’s conversion again levelled matters at 30-30.

Keys’ promising fly half, replacement Angus O’Brien, another Wales Under-18s product, coolly slotted a 72nd minute penalty before the visitors applied the killer blow soon after.

Substitute wing Kristian Baller crossed in the corner to settle Keys’ frazzled nerves for an unconverted try near the death to seal a much needed, and thoroughly deserved win.

Bridgend: A Evans, G Lewis, N Edwards, R Lock, L Reece, J Murphy, C Williams (G Holloway 68), J Thomas (A Waite 68), G Carpenter (C Francis 57), O Williams (D Suter 57), S Hicks (O Lloyd 62), S O’Rourke, J Vaughan (capt) (B Thomas 76), A Ellis, L Evans.

Scorers: Tries – Jamie Murphy, Shaun O’Rourke, Andrew Waite, Conversions – J Murphy (3), Penalties – J Murphy (2), Drop goal – J Murphy.

Cross Keys: G David, E Jones (K Baller 72), L Ford, P Williams, N Trowbridge, D Jones (A O’Brien 70), R Dyer (R James 75), A Lott, G Price, C Gould (J Johnstone 59-66, A Powell 66), D Hodge, T Lampard, R Peebles, S Matthews, R Nash (capt) (S Higgins 41). Replacement: K Cadogan.

Scorers: Tries – Rhys Peebles, Scott Matthews, Gareth David, Dan Hodge, Kristian Baller, Conversions – Dorian Jones (2), Angus O’Brien, Penalties – D Jones (2), A O’Brien.

Referee: Andrew Davies (Aberystwyth)

Argus star man: Scott Matthews