Cross Keys were beaten 44-20 at Cardiff Met in the WRU National Championship on Saturday, January 11.
The Keys went into the game on the back of a win over Bedwas, making it three wins from four in the league.
Cardiff Met opened the scoring when captain Morgan Nelson crossed the try line. His effort was converted by outside-half Evan Lloyd to give the hosts a 7-0 lead in Cyncoed.
The Keys gained some ground when outside-half Loui O’Brien scored a penalty.
But it was Cardiff Met who scored the second try of the game, this time from winger Max Cunnington.
Will Morris scored the third try for the hosts, with Lloyd converting to make it 19-3.
Shortly after, Keys flanker Callum Hague was sent to the sin bin for a high tackle. Lloyd kicked the penalty for a lineout five metres away from the Keys try line.
Cardiff Met prop Oli Andrews scored from the lineout to earn his side a four-try bonus point. Lloyd added the extras from the kicking tee as the Keys found themselves 26-3 behind.
The visitors were able to salvage something before half-time, with winger Alex Upton crossing over for the Keys’ first try of the match.
O’Brien converted to make the score 26-10 to Cardiff Met at half-time.
The Keys started the second half positively. The hosts lost possession on their own try line to gift Keys lock Harvey Reader a try, cutting the deficit to nine points.
Cardiff Met responded by scoring a try, only to be called back for a forward pass.
Against the run of play, it was the Keys who scored next. Scrum-half Zac Bartlett won the ball and ran in from 50 metres to score for the visitors.
The Keys found themselves just six points behind as the game approached the final stages.
But it was Cardiff Met who dominated the game’s climax, with an Evan Lloyd penalty, followed by tries from Bingo Ivanisivic and Dylan Davies securing a 44-20 win.
During the second half, Keys scrum-half Bartlett was stretchered off with a leg injury.
The Keys, who drop to tenth in the league following the defeat, will now turn their attentions to their match against Maesteg Quins on Saturday, January 18.