Although the bonus point could not be secured Keys will be delighted to get their first away win of the season at the first attempt.
The opening quarter of the game was scrappy with the home side having the better of the early exchanges although both sides looked to play expansive, attractive rugby despite the tricky conditions.
Despite the Whites getting the better of the opening quarter is was Keys who struck first just before the half hour mark when winger Elliot Jones was able to score a try in the corner thanks to a precision chip through from full back Gareth David. Dorian Jones, who enjoyed a fine game on his first start was able to add an excellent touch line conversion.
Shortly after this Dorian Jones added a penalty for Keys with a long kick from just inside the Swansea half. Keys had really started to turn the screw at this point but as half time approached Swansea scored a great try thanks largely to almost non-exsistent Keys tackling on Whites’ exciting No 8, Dan Baker who barged his way through from near the half way line and was able to provide the ball for Sam Kiley to chip ahead and James McKenna was the man to get the try. Nicky Thomas added the conversion.
Keys came out of the blocks fastest in the second half and after prop Richard Cornock’s try on 49 minutes didn’t look like they were going to lose this game. Cornock scoring his try after great work by the Keys pack whose pressure was too much for the Whites to handle, Jones again adding the extras.
A number of opportunities came Keys way as they continued to heap the pressure on the home side. On the hour Nathan Trowbridge crossed for a try thanks to good work by first Aled James then a wonderful break by Keys man of the match Luke Ford, who raced away from the Whites defence and timed his pass to prefection for Trowbridge to do the rest and cross in the left hand corner of the scoreboard end at the famous St Helens ground, Dorian Jones this time not able to add the extras.
Keys tried their best to get the fourth try but couldn’t do so as Swansea’s defence stood firm. In fact Swansea finished stronger with Nicky Thomas crossing for their second try of the game, Thomas converting his own try, although by this point the game was won.
