BOTH sides came into this game off the back of three successive defeats, and with the two teams seemingly lacking confidence and playing on a pitch that did nothing to encourage free flowing rugby, the sparse crowd witnessed a dour encounter, writes Peter Hughes.

For Cross Keys, however, the result was more important than the manner of their victory as they prepare for two games over the Easter weekend.

An evenly balanced opening half hour saw neither side create any clear-cut scoring opportunities.

It was the home side who finally broke the deadlock in the 31st minute when Bargoed were penalised for pulling a man down at the lineout, Keys fly-half Josh Prosser kicking the points.

Keys came close to an opening try as the game approached half-time but were adjudged to have knocked the ball on.

The same fate befell them on the stroke of half time when wing Matthew Powell chipped ahead but was unable to ground the ball cleanly and an uninspiring first half ended 3-0.

The second half opened with Cross Keys on the attack once again and a second penalty from the boot of Prosser doubled their advantage.

When Bargoed were awarded a penalty on the Cross Keys five-metre line they opted for a scrum, winning a second penalty from the set piece. From that scrum, centre Darren Humphries got close to the line, but the home defence held out.

In the muddy conditions both sides continued with their preferred option of kicking the ball to get out of their own half and the game reverted to its earlier stalemate until Prosser claimed his third penalty in the 70th minute.

Awarded a penalty on the Cross Keys line four minutes before time, Bargoed opted once again for a scrum. Once again, their hosts’ defence held out but then conceded a further penalty for a deliberate knock on.

A further penalty saw the visitors get within inches of the line and then win another penalty.

This time the scrum did not work for them and Cross Keys were able to clear their line.

Cross Keys: L Andrews; M Powell; B Nightingale; P Williams (C Shepherd 59); N Trowbridge; J Prosser; J Leadbeater (O Leonard 63); L Garrett (C Hewlett 73); Z Hewlett (A Gibson 63); S Evans (R Cornock 59); T Lampard; S Andrews; D Hughes; J Thomas; S Matthews (capt).

Scorers – Pens: J Prosser (3)

Bargoed: M Lewis; D Dyer (J Mogg 69); L Smalley; D Humphries; A Jones; C Jones (L Perry 72); M Bancroft; R Morgan (capt); L Lippiett (L Weyman 69); K Beale (A Gardner- Key 69); M Thomas (G Clarke 69); L Blacker; J Armitage (J Locke 74); G Rogers; I Jones.

Cross Keys star man: Scott Andrews