CROSS Keys opened their season in the Premiership with a disappointing defeat at the hands of Llandovery at Church Bank writes Huw S Thomas.

They led 18-2 after just 15 minutes and 18-6 at half time but could not keep control of the ball in the second half in the face of a remarkable recovery by the Drovers

Llandovery fielded most of the squad that had won the Foster's National Sevens at Cardiff as well as former Scarlets skipper Rob McCusker in the back row and it was their speed and sleight of hand that made the difference in the second half.

Keys Coach Greg Woods was not too pessimistic at the end of a very entertaining game.

He said: "To open the season away to Llandovery was a tricky challenge for us and despite a storming first half display we could not live with the tempo imposed by the Drovers in the second half."

"There are plenty of positives to take from the game and more game time will, I am sure, get a lot of our players up to speed."

Keys made the early running when a Simon Williams take at the line out saw his second row partner Danny Hodge get the touchdown, fly half Ethan Davies converting for an 8-0 lead.

That soon became 10-0 after a simple Davies penalty before opposite number Jack Maynard reduced the leeway with a 35 metre penalty.

A counter attack launched by Nathan Trowbridge ended with Davies outstripping the defence for a great team try, converted by the in-form fly half.

A stunned Llandovery had to rely on Maynard penalties for their next two scores and took some time to regain their composure after Keys powerful start.

A yellow card for lock Bryn Griffiths put more pressure on Llandovery who had to defend for their lives to keep it to 18-6 at the break.

With the return of Griffiths, the Drovers hit back with a try from No 8 Richard Brooks only for Davies to kick his second penalty.

The Drovers were certainly more confident and it was no surprise when flanker Shaun Miles crashed over after good work from scrum half Lee Rees, Maynard converting to tie the scores.

The wind in their sails, Llandovery went ahead from a Maynard penalty and then killed the game with a try by centre Matthew Jacobs, again converted from the touch line by the outstanding Maynard.

Llandovery: W Thomas; A Evans, M Jacobs, R Jones, A Warren; J Maynard, L Rees; J Kaijaks (B Davies), L Lewis (capt), G Cunniffe, B Griffiths (M Harbut), P Day, R McCusker, R Brooks, S Miles (S Worrall)

Tries: R Brooks, S Miles, M Jacobs

Cons:J Maynard (2)

Pens: J Maynard (4)

Cross Keys: O Howe; L Lewis (A O'Brien), L Andrews (capt), N Williams (P Uhi), N Trowbridge; E Davies, J Leadbeater (R Rees); R Cornock (L Garrett), D Hughes (J Howard), L Brown (A Lott), D Hodge (S Andrews), S Williams (T Lampard), I Jones, A Powell, S Matthews

Tries: D Hodge, E Davies

Cons: E Davies (2)

Pen:E Davies (2)

Referee: Wayne Davies (Llanon)

Cross Keys Man of the Match: Ethan Davies