They say that winning is a habit, but it’s not a habit that Bargoed have developed in the Principality Premiership, after they fell to a late penalty try at home to Cross Keys.
This was the third time that Bargoed had gone down to a single score late in the game this season, but the match started well for the home side.
Former Bargoed fly-half Josh Prosser put Keys ahead with a third minute penalty, but the Bulls hit back shortly after, when winger David Evans seized on a ball which had spilled forward in a tackle on the ten metre line to run in from his own half.
His score went unconverted, and a frenetic opening ten minutes was marked at 5-3.
Bargoed continued to pile on the pressure, and should really have gone further ahead after camping on the visitors’ try line.
Despite the intensity of the attack, Cross Keys held out and the siege was lifted when Bargoed were penalised for holding on in the tackle.
Full-back Calum Jones added two penalties within five minutes of each other to take the score to 11-3 on the half-hour mark, and Bargoed were looking good for their lead.
A poor box-kick allowed Keys back onto the front foot, and the gained field position provided Prosser with a penalty chance on the stroke of half time. His kick was successful, cutting the deficit to five points.
Bargoed came out of the blocks at the start of the second half as though they meant business. Centre Darren Humphries crashed through the midfield, and from the resulting ruck, the ball made its way for fly-half Greg Callow to put winger Duane Dyer into the corner.
Jones’ conversion was unsuccessful from the tight angle, but Bargoed’s ten point lead was restored just three minutes into the second half.
However, that was as good as it got for the home side, as Cross Keys showed their experience and took a grip on the game, hitting 17 unanswered points.
First, Ieuan Jones capitalised on Keys’ territorial advantage with a try from short range. Bargoed couldn’t get the ball out of their half as Cross Keys pounded away, and their sustained possession paid off with their No8 crashing over on 52 minutes.
Prosser converted Jones’ try, and shortly after slotted a penalty to square things up at 16-16.
Bargoed’s resistance continued, with the home supporters prepared to settle for a draw.
However, with four minutes left on the clock, the Bargoed scrum – which had been solid all game – came under pressure on the Bulls own put-in on the 22 metre area.
Cross Keys secured possession and drove for the line. Bargoed flanker Alex Herbert infringed close to the try-line and referee Gwyn Morris went under the posts for a penalty try, sending Herbert to the sin bin.
Prosser was left with the easiest of conversions as Bargoed were left trailing with 14 men.
A desperate final three minutes saw the home side hammer away but to no avail, and they had to be content with a single losing bonus point.
• Match report by Peter Greening of Bargoed RFC.