CROSS Keys will look to “put a few wrongs right” when they face Pontypridd at Aberavon’s Talbot Athletic Ground tomorrow in the WRU National Cup semi-finals.

That is the opinion of determined Keys skipper Scott Matthews as he prepares to lead his side into battle against the six-time cup winners from Sardis Road.

Matthews wasn’t part of the Keys squad when the Pandy Park outfit beat Ponty 32-19 to lift the trophy in 2012.

However, he did feature in the team beaten 21-8 by the same opponents in the final two years later, while Matthews also played in the 2015 last-four clash which Ponty edged 33-27.

Tomorrow’s match (kick-off 2.30pm) is the eighth time the clubs have met in the cup this century – Ponty boast five wins to two for Keys.

But not only has Matthews suffered his fair share of pain against Ponty, the Talbot Athletic Ground holds some bad memories for the captain and his charges.

It was there last April that Keys’ hopes of a third final appearance were dashed when Ethan Davies missed a penalty with the final act of what proved to be a 21-20 loss to Carmarthen Quins.

“I played in the last final we got to and unfortunately lost,” said Matthews. “We got off to a good start but it was one of those games where it seemed to be over before I could really get into it.

“They came back at us and although we regrouped at half-time it was too late.

“I just remember being devastated in the changing room afterwards.

“You want to remember occasions like that but it’s one I wish I could forget.”

Reflecting on that last-ditch defeat to Quins nearly 12 months ago, he added: We feel we should have won that game.

“I would have put my mortgage on Ethan kicking that penalty but it wasn’t meant to be.

“Since we knew we were going back to Aberavon it has been about making sure we don’t have that experience again.

“The boys who played in that game last season hurt a lot after it so we want to put a few wrongs right tomorrow.

“Losing those other games to Ponty spurs you on as well and adds a bit more spice to this weekend.”

Matthews was out injured for 16 weeks earlier this season but is now making up for lost time.

He shone in the quarter-final victory over Pontypool and has led Keys to the top of Principality Premiership tier two.

And guiding them into the cup final, which is set for the Principality Stadium on April 16, would be just the ticket for Matthews.

“I really want to achieve things as captain and to lead the boys back into the final would be great,” he said.