CROSS Keys made it nine wins out of nine as they moved up to second in the Principality Premiership after a hard-fought victory over their big rivals Newport.

Ebbw Vale’s 34-20 slip up to Bedwas means the Pandy Park are now in the driving seat to claim a home draw in the play-offs against the third placed side with Pontypridd on course to claim the top spot.

Victory over the Black and Ambers also meant the Gwent Valleys side have beaten their city rivals three times this season, twice in the league and once in the British and Irish Cup.

It was also Newport’s fifth defeat in a row as they find themselves seven points adrift at the bottom of the league.

A cagey opening saw Keys dominate territory but unable to convert their advantage into points.

But it was the hosts who ended the first quarter the stronger, full back Llywarch Ap Myrddin going close to breaking through just yards from the try-line before outside half Geraint O'Driscoll put them into a 3-0 lead after 20 minutes.

Keys wing Lloyd Lewis nearly gave the visitors an undeserved lead after he almost got away for a breakaway try against the run of play after nearly half an hour.

Blindside flanker Rhys Jenkins gave the home crowd something rare to cheer when he charged forward into the Keys 22.

But after his hard yards the ball was knocked on and Newport found themselves defending their own line after the Pandy Park side hacked on from deep.

Black and Ambers wing Elliot Frewen nearly gave his side the breakthrough they craved only for him to be brought down by a superb Lewis tackle and they were penalised at the ensuing breakdown.

Keys began to play with more tempo towards the end of the half and a disappointing first half ended at 3-3 after visiting No 10 Ethan Davies kicked a penalty to make it all square with its last movement.

The second 40 was infinitely better as both sides began to play with greater composure.

O'Driscoll should have restored Newport's lead only for his shot at goal to go wide.

Keys made three changes in the 48th minute which gave them a huge lift.

Scrum half Ryan James, blindside Adam Powell and lock Dan Hodge seemed to spark the visitors who took the lead for the first time in the 51st minute when hooker Darren Hughes powered over from a five-metre lineout after Keys had turned down a shot at goal.

Davies made it 10-3 with his conversion.

And the game looked to be put beyond doubt from the restart when they scored another seven points, a powerful run by their excellent number eight Jack Condy and his well-timed pass put Lewis away for a converted try to make it 17-3.

But Newport weren't having any of it and hit back well when lock Adam Frampton charged home for a try under the posts, converted by O'Driscoll, the crowd witnessing a third touchdown in less than five minutes after waiting nearly an hour to see one.

An O'Driscoll penalty reduced the gap to just 17-13 after 60 minutes when Keys were penalised at a scrum.

Both sides created half chances in the last quarter but it was Keys who ended the game the stronger and a late penalty by Davies gave them breathing space going into the dying seconds to claim four points while the hosts had to make do with a losing bonus point.

Newport: Ll Ap Myrddin, B Nightingale, N Edwards, D Franchi, E Frewen, G O'Driscoll, O Davies, D Pattison (J Greenfield 64), E Whitson (D Rogers 74), A Jeffries, Adam Brown, A Frampton, R Jenkins, O Griffiths (capt) (B Lampitt 57), S Feehan, Replacements: J Monck, D Partridge, A Quick, J Mogg, J Lewis.

Scorers: Tries: Frampton (56), Conversions: O'Driscoll, Penalties: O'Driscoll (20) (60).

Cross Keys: J Cordy-Redden, L Lewis, L Andrews (capt), P Williams, P Uhi, E Davies, J Leadbeater (R James 48), L Garrett, D Hughes, L Brown (A Lott 61), S Andrews (D Hodge 48), T Lampard, J Skinner (A Powell 48), S Matthews, J Condy.

Replacements: H Palmer, R Cornock, N Trowbridge, N Williams.

Scorers: Tries: Hughes (51), Lewis (53), Conversions: Davies (51), (53), Penalties: Davies (40) (78).

Referee: Chris Williams (WRU).

Argus star men: Darren Hughes and Jack Condy