CROSS Keys blew Pool One of the Foster's Challenge Cup wide open with a victory against Newport at Pandy Park on Wednesday night, writes Chris Kirwan.

Keys ran out 33-27 winners in the wet with tries by wings Mathew Powell and Nathan Trowbridge, lock Dan Hodge, flanker Max George and hooker Darren Hughes securing a five-point haul.

However, group leaders Newport claimed a consolation losing bonus point at the death when fly-half Haydn Symons, on permit from Croesyceiliog, went over for their third try before adding the conversion.

That means the Black and Ambers sit on 10 points with a home game against Bedwas to come on January 11 while Keys, on six, can take top spot if they record another success at Bridge Field on Wednesday.

Last season's runners-up Bedwas are also in the hunt for the semi-finals after playing just one game so far, when scoring four tries in their home loss to Newport.

Keys suffered a blow in the opening stages of their win against Newport when acting captain Nathan Williams was forced off against his former side with a shoulder injury.

The Black and Ambers went 6-0 up with a brace of penalties by Matt O'Brien but Powell, on for Williams, crossed for Keys' first try on 32 minutes.

Scrum-half Aaron Bidgood slipped through for a score that O'Brien converted to make it 13-5 to the visitors but Keys finished the half strongly to take command thanks to Hodge's powerful finish and Trowbridge dotting down after a break by centre Lewis Barnett.

The pair of conversions by scrum-half Ross Pritchard made it 19-13 to the hosts at half-time and the bonus point came quickly after the restart when George went over for a converted try.

Newport kept themselves in the game when centre Haydn Palmer picked off a pass to go under the sticks but Hughes, playing in the back row, sealed the victory for Keys. The final play, however, saw Symons bag what could yet be a vital bonus for the Black and Ambers.

Merthyr look to be romping to qualification from Pool Three of the development competition after smashing Ebbw Vale 34-10 at Eugene Cross Park but Bargoed recorded a morale-boosting success over Pontypridd.

The Bulls have had a tough introduction to life in the Principality Premiership with their spirited showings not enough to keep them from propping up the table.

However, their 18-15 home victory against Ponty should give them a lift with Greg Callow's late penalty proving to be the difference.

The visitors led 10-3 at the break but winger Duane Dyer and flanker Jonny Armitage went over for tries before their fly-half inched Bargoed in front and they defended stoutly for success.

Ebbw fielded 18 permit players and rather predictably came up short against the Ironmen, although they showed spirit in defeat. Their points came from an interception try by centre Jordan Howells and five points from the boot of Ynysddu fly-half Jeremy Roberts.

Merthyr top Pool Three with a perfect 15 points from 15 with Ponty on 6, Bargoed on 5 and Ebbw on 4.