There was little joy for Cross Keys as they were demolished by Doncaster Knights at Castle Park.

The Principality Premiership side never looked like denying unbeaten Knights the one point they needed to secure a home tie in the quarter-final draw as they crashed to a 54-0 defeat

Keys showed six changes to their starting line-up in the 48-10 defeat at home to Bedford last week, while Knights, fielded their strongest available line-up.

With Keys only arriving an hour or so before the game following their long journey, Knights looked to try and catch them cold and they grabbed the early score they were looking for when full-back Paul Jarvis raced in for a try converted by Dougie Flockhart on eight minutes.

Knights added to their tally on 14 minutes with flanker Latu Makaafi celebrating his return to the starting line-up after a spell on the bench when touching down from a forward drive.

Flockhart added the extras to leave the Welsh side, who visit Pontypridd in the league on Saturday, trailing 14-0.

Both captains were spoken to on 22 minutes after several flare-ups between the two packs.

Keys found it hard to break down the tough Doncaster defence in the first half-hour, though fly-half James Leadbeater almost created a break with a neat pass around the halfway line during their best spell.

Full-back Lee Ryan denied centre Andy Bulumakau, who would have been better served using his support, after a long run,

Keys suffered a double blow when skipper Scott Matthews was sin-binned and Knights were awarded a penalty try, which Flockhart converted.

The visitors were reduced to 13 men before play resumed, second-rower Tom Lampard also being yellow carded.

Knights extended their lead within a couple of minutes after the restart – second-rower Matt Challoner crossing from close range for a fourth converted try to make it 28-0.

Bulumakau sliced through for Knights fifth converted try whilst Keys – hooker Luke Garret was being treated in back play.

Wing Tyson Lewis raced in for a brace of crowd-pleasing tries in the last quarter with Flockhart also touching down to inflict Keys biggest defeat in the competition.

Keys went close to a consolation try at the death.