Ebbw Vale v Cross Keys, Principality Premiership play-off, Saturday, kick-off 7pm

LIKE those famous giant-killers of more than a quarter of a century ago Wimbledon, Cross Keys are a club not unused to springing the most unlikeliest of David v Goliath upsets.

Just as the Crazy Gang side shocked Liverpool in the 1988 FA Cup final, Keys stunned Pontypridd at the Millennium Stadium three years ago on their way to being crowned Swalec Cup champions.

The Gwent Valleys side’s finest moment came just weeks after they sunk hot favourites Cornish Pirates in a memorable British and Irish Cup semi-final at Pandy Park.

And Keys, like Bobby Gould’s unfashionable side of the Eighties from SW19, have continued to punch way above their weight – they even have a player, prop Anthony Lott, nicknamed Vinnie after the ex-Dons and Wales hard man Vinnie Jones.

But since those halcyon days of three years ago, Keys have fallen short in two more finals, losing out to Ponty in both the Principality Premiership and Swalec Cup last year.

They have a chance to avenge those defeats later this month against a Sardis Road side deprived of a triple double after their unscripted defeat to Bridgend in the Swalec Cup final on Sunday – one that Nostradamus would have been proud of predicting.

But before they can have another crack at Ponty, there is the considerable obstacle of Ebbw Vale looming on the horizon.

A mouth-watering Premiership play-off between the Steelmen and Keys at Eugene Cross Park awaits this weekend.

And Keys head coach Greg Woods knows all too well his troops will have to be at the peak of their game to come out on top this Saturday night.

“It’s a huge game for us and we go into it in pretty good shape injury wise," he said.

“Ebbw Vale have had a fantastic season and they thoroughly deserved to have finished second in the league with a home tie in the play-off."

And for Woods, taking on and taming the Ebbw forwards is the key to success.

“I think our boys know that if they play well, we should be in a good place," he said.

"But Ebbw Vale are a good side and we have got to stop their forwards because they really have been the form pack in the league this season. It’ll be a big challenge for us to match them there."

Saluting his opponents after their superb season, he added: "It should be a great occasion and one of this year’s highlights in the semi-pro game in Wales.

"They have great support and they have been a great addition to the Premiership."