Matt Silva’s side ran in 10 tries in total as they moved two points ahead of Llanelli with a game in hand. Llanelli’s final fixture is at home against already relegated Neath while the Ravens face two tough away trips against Aberavon and Pontypridd respectively.
Four tries from Wales under 20s wing Dewi Cross plus scores from Dafi Davies (2), Mike Powell, Gareth Harvey, Jordan Collier and Owen Thomas crossed for tries, with Owen Howe contributing 12 points from the kicking tee was enough for Bridgend.
The hosts opened their account within the first 10 minutes with wing Powell taking advantage of some slick handling to cross at the far right-hand corner.
Bridgend piled on the pressure with Harvey crossing after a well-worked driving lineout by the home side. Cross claimed their third try as he sliced through the Cross Keys defence like a knife through butter.
The try bonus point was sealed within the first half an hour with former Pontypridd No 8 Davies smashing his way over from short range for an unassailable 24-0 half-time lead.
Morgan Stoddard’s side grabbed a try back in the early stages of the second-half with openside flanker Garin Price touching down after a period of sustained pressure by the visitors.
But their resurgence proved to be short lived as impressive No 8 Davies hit a superb angle just outside the Cross Keys 22 to score his second try.
Cross showed his finishing prowess as he took a well-weighted cross kick from outside half Jamie Murphy before sidestepping two defenders to score. He was soon celebrating his hattrick as he finished off a superb team which began on the halfway line.
Cross Keys couldn’t cope with Cross’ electrifying turn of pace as he skinned four defenders to run in unopposed from 40 metres out. Collier and Thomas scored late tries to rub further salt into Cross Keys’ wounds.
