CROSS Keys have enjoyed some Swalec Cup highs in recent seasons but must negotiate a tricky tie against Llanelli out west in their first step on the road to the Millennium Stadium.

The Pandy Park side lifted the trophy in the capital in 2012 by beating Pontypridd but the men from Sardis Road got their revenge last season by winning the final 21-8.

Both finalists have tricky openers this season with Ponty taking on runaway Championship leaders Bargoed while Keys, sixth in the Premiership, travel to the side one spot above them in the table.

“Llanelli are historically the cup kings from the old Schweppes days and in our era it has been Ponty while we have been in two finals and probably could have been in more,” said director of rugby Jonathan Westwood.

“It’s a competition that holds some great memories for us and it would be great to have some more success.

“It’s really important that we make it into the next round to give some continuity to our season and to be competing on two fronts.”

Keys will need to be on top of their game to take the spoils against a Llanelli side that have played just three games on their own patch this season, winning all of them with bonus points.

“There aren’t many more difficult places to go but we have done pretty well there in recent years so know how to beat them,” said Westwood.

“It’s fantastic track and they play with a lot of width so I think the key is dominating the set piece and contact area. You have to dominate possession and get field position that puts some of their younger players under pressure.

“If Llanelli have parity or better then they possess the tools to punish teams and I think they have made a big improvement up front in recent seasons.”