CROSS Keys feel that they have made strides over the last year and now they want it to show on the Premiership table.

The Pandy Park outfit were much more enterprising and consistent last season but still only finished in 10th place.

They will be targeting an improvement in the coming campaign and have a golden chance to show they mean business in the first three weeks of the season.

The fixture list hasn’t been kind with a home clash with Cardiff sandwiched by tomorrow’s trip to Pontypridd and an away game at champions Neath.

But head coach Greg Woods and his charges are fired up by the three tests.

“We are relishing the challenge at Sardis Road, it would be a massive statement if we came away with the win and we would have momentum for the next two big games,” he said.

“We believe we have put together a squad that can get into the top seven and compete for a place in the British and Irish Cup.

“The first month will prove whether that is just a pipe dream or whether we are contenders. We never have problems with getting up for derby games and against the big clubs but if we are to progress as a club then we have to consistently perform well away from Pandy Park.

“Too often we heard teams say after games that they were shocked by how we played, we want them to expect a tough 80 minutes.

“We have got to earn some respect and the first few weeks of the season gives us that chance.”

As ever, it promises to be a fierce battle up front at Sardis Road and Keys have selected accordingly with five forwards and two backs on their bench.

“As always at Pontypridd it will be warfare at the breakdown,” said Woods “We feel we have a side that can cause them problems there with the likes of Lloyd Burns, Rhys Williams, Rob Nash, Tom Lampard, Dan Hodge.”

Lock Hodge makes his Keys debut as does Lee Thorne, another former Ponty man, in midfield.

Keys: G David, M Johnstone, L Andrews, L Thorne, R Lee, S Jones, R James, R Cornock, L Burns, M Jones, T Lampard, D Hodge, M Popham, R Nash (captain), R Williams. Replacements: J Price, R Emms, J Groves, R Peebles, C Bridges, O Jones, N Trowbridge.