Cross Keys loosened Bridgend Ravens’ grip on the SSE Swalec Cup with a 20-13 victory at the Bridgend Ford Brewery Field that earned them a home quarter-final place.
The Cup holders were beaten on their own patch as Keys became the first side to reach the last eight as they came from behind to stay on course for a potential second Cup Final in three seasons.
Bridgend’s Adam O’Driscoll and Keys forward Darren Hughes saw yellow after only seven minutes into the game and it was left to the former Bridgend centre Owen Howe to get Keys off the mark with a penalty.
The Ravens hit back with a try from a driving maul by No 8 Ashton Evans, but Howe’s second penalty edged Keys back in front.
A Joe Scrivens penalty put the holders back in front by a point, but scrum-half James Leadbetter went over for a second Keys try which Howe converted to make it 13-8 to the visitors at the break.
Howe was wide with a penalty shot at the start of the second half, but he did then convert his side’s second try of the night from lock Scott Andrews to create a 12-point gap.
Back came Bridgend and replacement Matthew John converted another good driving maul for the home’s side’s second try.
Scrivens’ conversion attempt came back off the upright and the home outside-half also missed with a late penalty.
The game ended with the Ravens pressing hard to get on level terms, but Keys will now meet the winners of the game between Neath and Cardiff Met in the next round on February 27.