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Cross Keys climb to 11th in Principality Premiership after Neath win

News, Sport | Rhys Williams | Published: 12:49, Monday January 14th, 2019.

Cross Keys RFC have climbed to 11th in the Principality Premiership after beating bottom-placed Neath 34-17 at the Gnoll.

The away win ends a run of three consecutive league defeats and sees them rise out of the relegation zone and above Bridgend, Llanelli and Bedwas in the table.

Neath remain bottom of the league having been docked six points by the Welsh Rugby Union after going into administration.

The Welsh All Blacks took a surprise lead through a Craig Hill try, which was converted by Callum Hall.

They then extended their lead to 10-0 when Hall scored a penalty.

But Cross Keys responded when Joe Thomas crossed the try-line to register their first points of the afternoon. Jacob Botica was successful with the conversion.

Two minutes later, Nicky Griffiths scored a try to further Neath’s lead. Hall converted to put the hosts 17-7 ahead.

Owain Leonard’s try two minutes before the break cut the gap between the sides, with a Botica conversion and then a penalty levelling the score at half-time.

In the second half, a Botica try and conversion gave Cross Keys the lead for the first time in the game after 51 minutes.

20 minutes later, Botica converted a Leon Andrews try to push the game further away from the hosts, who now trailed by 14 points.

Cross Keys soon sailed further ahead as Botica’s penalty sealed a 34-17 victory.

The side scored 17 unanswered second half points and sealed a bonus-point win.

Cross Keys return to Principality Premiership action on Saturday (January 19), when they host relegation rivals Bedwas in a Caerphilly County Borough derby at Pandy Park.

 

 

 

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