In a high scoring encounter, Keys edged it 30-38, running in five tries to secure a bonus point. They had though, only led by two points at the break, but were ahead by eight at the final whistle.
The home side got off to an excellent start with an early penalty from Jamie Murphy before minutes later, the fly half crossed for a wonderful try following some good work from Scott Hicks. Murphy converted his own try to put Bridgend in control.
Cross Keys fought back, Dorian Jones slotting a penalty before a try from Rhys Peebles continued the relentless scoring. The conversion went astray but minutes later, Scott Andrews scored a second for the men from Gwent to give his side the lead. Jones put the extras over.
Keys were now dominating and came close to scoring another, only for some excellent defensive work from Lewis Reece to deny them. And when Murphy kicked an impressive left footed drop goal before the interval, the Ravens trailed 13-15.
Murphy kicked another three points for the Ravens early in the second period, giving his side the lead for the first time. But it was not to last and Gareth David came back to haunt his old side with a try out wide, before Jones kicked a penalty to put Keys back in control.
Bridgend fought back again, with Shaun O’Rourke scoring a wonderful individual score, bundling through three tacklers. Murphy kicked the conversion from out wide to level the tie again.
The see-saw encounter took another turn, with Danny Hodge scoring following a charge down. Dorian Jones again kicked the extras.
The Ravens needed some inspiration with Ben Rose introducing youngster Andrew Waite to good effect. Seconds after taking the field, the back rower crashed over from close range and when Murphy again saw his conversion sail through the uprights, the two teams were level at 30 points apiece.
Then came the crucial moment. Nathan Edwards was sin binned and from the resulting penalty, replacement Angus O’Brien kicked Keys back into the lead. With 14 men for the remainder of the game, Bridgend needed something special to steal the spoils.
It was not to be though as Kris Baller scored late on to put the game beyond the home side.
Bridgend
Tries: O’Rourke, Murphy, Waite
Pens: Murphy (2)
Cons: Murphy (3)
Drop Goal: Murphy
Cross Keys
Tries: Peebles, Matthews, David, Hodge, Baller
Pens: Jones (2), O’Brien
Cons: Jones (2)
