CROSS Keys are eyeing another top six Premiership finish but recognise hard graft will be key to starting 2012 with a bang.

Keys will be looking for part two of a Gwent derby hat trick when Bedwas visit Pandy Park on Bank Holiday Monday.

They brushed Newport aside 40-22 on Boxing Day and head to Pontypool a week on Saturday.

A healthy points tally from the three derbies plus a home clash with Carmarthen Quins would put Keys in great shape before two weeks of cup action.

But head coach Greg Woods has stressed that feet are firmly on the ground ahead of the visit of a determined Bedwas side that will also visit Pandy Park in round two of the Swalec Cup.

“Our aim for the season is to consolidate our place in the top six and be the top team in Gwent again,” he said. “If January goes well for us then we could even exceed our expectations.

“But we know how tough it will be against Bedwas on Monday – they always give us a hard game. They are a real pain at the breakdown and you can’t give penalties away because they just keep the scoreboard moving along. We were superb in the first quarter against Newport and the game was pretty much over when we got the bonus point try on 24 minutes.

“That fantastic opening has to be replicated and we cannot afford to drop off like we did against Newport because I expect this game to be a lot tighter.”

Keys expect to field a similar side to the one that eased past the Black and Ambers.

Bedwas will be attempting to improve on their Boxing Day performance at Pontypool, when a late intercept try ensured they lost 16-6 and headed home with nothing to show for their efforts.

The Bridge Field outfit have won eight and lost eight of their fixtures this term but are within four points of fifth place.