EBBW Vale signed off the season with a victory over Cross Keys as Greg Woods enjoyed his return to Pandy Park, writes Jay Bayford.

Woods swapped Keys for Eugene Cross Park in January and enjoyed a good reception on his first visit back to his old stomping ground.

His side made the better start and Ronny Kynes gave Ebbw the lead on 13 minutes with Callum Hall firing over the resulting conversion.

Keys responded well and asked plenty of questions but Ebbw were resilient in defence.

It could’ve got worse for the hosts after they lost possession at their own lineout and Rhys Francis picked up the loose ball before darting towards the try line. The hosts threw enough bodies in the way to keep him out and James Leadbeater eventually cleared the danger.

It was a nice mild evening but tempers started to flare on the pitch. Despite repeated discussions with the players, and both assistants, referee Mike English kept his cards in his pocket.

But his patience had worn out on the stroke of half time as he brandished a yellow card to Ebbw lock Kristian Parker for an illegal challenge.

And Keys struck back within seconds as hooker Darren Hughes forced the ball over the whitewash.

Dai Langdon almost edged the Steelmen further ahead after the break but Keys were thankful to see his penalty come back off the post.

He was made to rue that miss as Evan Lloyd came off the bench to put the hosts ahead with a superb long-range penalty.

Langdon redeemed himself moments later with a kick that glided through the posts but another curling effort from Lloyd kept Keys ahead.

However, the visitors’ pace and power proved too much for Keys with winger Toby Fricker eventually touching down to hand the Steelmen victory.

Cross Keys: Try: D Hughes; Pens: E Lloyd (2).

Ebbw Vale: Try: R Kynes, T Fricker; Con: C Hall; Pen: D Langdon.