There was no Welsh-Scottish league upset as the leaders brushed aside basement strugglers Cross Keys in a Brewery Field try bonanza.

The controversy that marred the previous game between the clubs when a punch by Bridgend lock Chris Stephens ended the career of Keys full-back Ioan Bebb was buried as rugby emerged the clear winner.

There was never a hint of the Gwent men ending a disastrous nine-game losing sequence since gaining promotion to the top division.

Although Bridgend, showing seven changes to the side that started against Caerphilly three days earlier, struggled to get their game going, they slipped into full throttle in a one-sided second half.

Cross Keys held out until the 18th minute when Josh Taumalolo touched down for Bridgend's first try and flanker Maama Molitika made it a Tongan double two minutes later with another score.

Cross Keys again closed ranks as Bridgend made a series of mistakes until the irony of a visitors handling error led to a breakaway score by home fly-half Paul Williams.

Williams, making his first league start of the season, doubled his try tally from the restart, racing another 50 metres for a carbon copy touch-down to give the leaders a 29-0 interval lead.

Bridgend's superior fitness and confidence took its toll after the interval as Steve Ford, Gareth Jones, Adrian Durston, Danzi Niblo and Shawn van Rensburg took the try tally to nine.

Gareth Cull kicked eight conversions and two penalties for a personal haul of 22 points.

Dennis John

Bridgend coach Dennis John praised his squad after a 67-0 trouncing of bottom club Cross Keys kept them firmly at the top of the Welsh-Scottish League.

He said: "We made eight changes to the side that played Caerphilly a few days earlier and the player who came in did an excellent job.

"It is the start of a make-or-break period with three games this week. It was important to win our two home games and we go to Llanelli in confident mood.

"The quality of the whole squad will be tested - but we are becoming more competitive.

"The aim is to secure a European Cup place by finishing in the top five and I think we have a squad capable of doing just that.

"I was particularly pleased to see players like Steve Ford and Paul Williams making their first starts and doing well.

"Overall I was very happy with the result and the fact that we kept a clean sheet."

Arthur Howarth

Cross Keys captain Arthur Howarth, brother of Newport star Shane, said:

"I was disappointed with my display, having missed a few crucial tackles, but the spirit within the club remains high.

"We never allow our heads to drop and will keep battling until we get that elusive first win under our belts.

"It is not for the want of trying but we seem to be giving teams a head start and facing quality players week in week out we cannot afford to do that.

"We are looking forward to meeting Glasgow at home on Saturday and will be giving our best efforts to get that elusive first win."

Can Bridgend stay top of the table?

Scorers - Bridgend: Tries: O Ford, S Taumalolo, G Jones, A Durston, P Williams (2), M Molitika, S van Rensburg, D Niblo. Cons: G Cull 8. Pens: Cull 2

Teams - Bridgend: S Taumalolo, G Jones, J Devereux, A Durston, G Cull, P Williams, J Hewlett, A Griffiths, R Joy, L Mustoe, S Ford, C Stephens, R Bryan, O Lloyd, M Molitika
Replacements: R Noon, S van Rensburg, D Niblo, C Hawkins, Jenkins, Baker, O Thomas

Cross Keys: M Lovell, S Crane, R Davies, M McCarthy, S Reed, C Bushell, C Ellis, G Stroud, L Garner, M Jones, K Stewart, N Kelly, R Williams, A Howarth (capt), P Watkins
Replacements: G Bowen, K McDonald, I Evans, D Crimmins, M Price, S Gardner, W Thomas

Referee: Huw Lewis (WRU)