CROSS Keys overcame Newport in a scrappy affair that reeked of two teams crying out for the season to be over, writes Ian Golden.

Newport still looked exhausted following their defeats to Merthyr – in the WRU National Cup final – and Bedwas over the previous six days, and Cross Keys took advantage with two quick early tries.

The visitors did suffer an early setback when Owain Leonard suffered a third minute injury and substitute Ben Snell made an early appearance, but when play restarted from a scrum, they scored straight away. Foard Cooksley went in under the posts and James Leadbeater converted.

The lead was soon doubled, Scott Matthews scoring in exactly the same position and Leadbeater again having no issues with the extras.

Jonathan Morris was close to getting a try back for Newport but he was pulled into touch when diving for the tryline.

But after Keys had Joe Thomas sinbinned with ten minutes remaining in this stop-start first half that had seen its fair share of injuries, Morris finally did get his five points following a good passing move.

Matt O’Brien’s conversion attempt sailed wide.

Matthews joined Thomas in the bin not long after that, giving Newport a two-man advantage for a couple of minutes. More by luck than judgement, Keys managed to hold on during that spell and they went into half-time 14-5 up.

But Newport were quick on the board in the second half, Chay Smith running through and grounding under the sticks. Matt O’Brien converted.

Keys were soon back to a full complement of players but then the referee reached for the yellow card for the third time in the game. This time it was Newport’s Rhys Jenkins who had to take ten thanks to a high tackle on Matthew Powell.

Straight away, Keys scored. Gary Carpenter went over from close range and Leadbeater converted.

And it was game over on 64 minutes after Nathan Trowbridge collected a loose ball and sprinted 40 metres to the line. Leadbeater converted again.

Alex Everett got a try back for Newport that O’Brien improved but Matthew Powell put the icing on the cake for Keys with another breakaway try with Leadbeater making it five from five with the boot.

Newport: G O’Driscoll; E Frewen, C Smith, T Pascoe (H Palmer 69); J Morris, M O’Brien (H Lang 67); J Lavender (N Boyce 56), H Palmer (W Evans 48), G Harris (T Piper 54); J Bartlett (C Shefford 72), D Partridge, M Burgess (A Everett 40), K Tayler, R Jenkins, T Lucas (L Essenhugh 67).

Scorers: Tries: J Morris, C Smith, A Everett; Cons: M O’Brien (2)

Cross Keys: J Leadbetter; D Richards, M Powell, S Williams, N Trowbridge; F Cooksley (I Burgwin 68), O Leonard (B Snell 3); G Carpenter (T Hansen 73), D Hughes, S Evans (R Cornock 73); T Lampard, J Skinner, S Matthews (G Price 68), J Thomas, I Jones.

Scorers: Tries: F Cooksley, S Matthews, G Carpenter, N Trowbridge, M Powell; Cons: J Leadbeater (5)

Star man: Gary Carpenter (Cross Keys)