Playing at home for the third week in a row, Keys wanted a win before heading away from Pandy Park to play Swansea at St Helens on Wednesday evening and the home side didn’t just win, they won well.
Aberavon opened the scoring with a penalty from outside half Craig Evans before Keys responded through the ever reliable boot of Dean Gunter. This got Keys moving and they soon scored the opening try of the game with Danny Hodge crashing over from close range, Gunter was unable to add the extras but Keys were up and running.
Evans responded with a penalty for the Wizards in the 37th minute but as half-time approached, Luke Ford raced away from the Aberavon defence to score after good work from his centre partner Aled James. This time Gunter was able to add the conversion but there was still time for Keys to trouble the scorers again before the interval as Gunter kicked his second penalty of the afternoon with the last kick of the half.
In the second half Aberavon came out raring to go and looked as though they would respond well to the roasting they must have received from their coaching staff. But Keys stood firm and were determined not to let the Wizards cross the whitewash despite several chances.
In the 53rd minute Ford crossed for his second try of the game and his third of the season after he took advantage of a mix up in the Aberavon defence before Gunter added the straight forward extras. The Wizards piled on some pressure and got the try they deserved when Ben Thomas crossed in the corner.
Keys went in search of the bonus point try and it looked as though Ford had secured it with his hat-trick only for referee Rhys Thomas to rule it out as he felt the ball had not been grounded by Ford’s outstretched arm.
The bonus point try came soon enough when after a fierce driving scrum saw No. 8 Adam Powell get his first try for the club.
Greg Woods’ men weren’t finished though as Aled James, making his first start for the club, scored his opening try for the Keys to secure a convincing home win.
