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Bargoed scored five tries in a 35-7 bonus-point win against Cross Keys at Bargoed Park on Saturday, September 4.

The win marked Bargoed’s third consecutive victory in the WRU National Championship Cup, having beaten Bedwas 13-7 and Cross Keys 33-13 in the opening two games.

Bargoed opened the scoring through forward James Locke, who crashed through to score the game’s opening try directly under the posts.

Steff Jones slotted home the conversion to give the hosts a 7-0 lead.

The lead was short-lived however, as the Keys put pressure on Bargoed and were rewarded in the 16th minute, when Connor Vaughan breached the host’s tryline.

Curtis Povey drew the sides level with the conversion.

Bargoed looked to have restored their lead when Rhys Thomas crossed over in the corner, but his foot was judged to have been in touch, so the try wasn’t awarded.

But the lead was soon regained after hooker Wade Langley scored a try following a driving maul, with Jones converting.

The lead was further extended in the 31st minute through Steff Thomas, which was again converted by Jones.

The Keys threatened again towards the end of the first half, but Bargoed’s defence held firm and the hosts went into the break with a 21-7 lead.

The visitors returned to the field strongly, dominating possession for much of the opening 25 minutes of the second half, but Bargoed’s defence remained resolute.

After a raft of substitutions from both sides later on in the second half, Bargoed began to control the possession. Soon after, Geraint Edmonds forced his way over the line to score Bargoed’s fourth try – clinching the bonus point.

Jones converted from the kicking tee to increase the lead to 28-7.

Cross Keys went straight back onto the attack but an interception by Josh Prosser led to Rhys Humphries scoring Bargoed’s fifth and final try – with Jones converting to seal a 35-7 win.

After the game, Bargoed coach Vinny Lott said: “We’re pleased to get the win and the bonus point against a much improved and hard-working side but we let ourselves down for the vast majority of that second half as individual errors and poor discipline cost us.

“However we did manage to keep our line intact in that second half, and we are really pleased with the work rate of the boys in defence.”

Bargoed will travel to Bedwas in the WRU National Championship Cup on September 18, while the Keys will host Bedwas in the same competition the following weekend on September 25.