CROSS Keys head into 2016 fuelled by the desire to reclaim their Principality Premiership top spot by taking the derby spoils against Bedwas at Pandy Park.

Keys will head into the New Year in second place after their mouth-watering Rodney Parade clash with fellow playoff contenders Newport was postponed last Saturday, enabling champions Pontypridd to snatch top spot.

The Pandy Park side are currently on a 10-game unbeaten streak in the league that stretches back to their week two loss to Cardiff but they haven't played in any competition since the 20-18 success against title rivals Llandovery on December 5.

"It was a blow to lose our top spot but it gives us good motivation and it's not about who is there now, the challenge is to be there the end of April," said team manager Mark Prangell. "We are usually around sixth at Christmas so we are in a good position.

"We've lost our momentum because of the postponements but the attitude of the players at training has been great. They've been putting a huge effort in and now they are desperate to play.

"We know that it will be a big challenge against Bedwas and the conditions will be a real leveller – it's all about the physical battle and the set piece in a derby like this."

Bedwas head coach Steve Law knows that his side need to improve dramatically on their performance at Eugene Cross Park last weekend when they were downed 24-10 by the Steelmen.

"It was a really disappointing performance," he said. "We gave Ebbw Vale the opportunities to get the win and by a comfortable margin.

"It was a bad day at the office and we need to be much better at Cross Keys because it is a far greater challenge.

"We are not a bad side but we have to play to our full potential to get the result because there will be no get out of jail free cards from Keys.

"The players know where they went wrong at Ebbw Vale and that they need to be at the best to beat one of the strongest sides in the league."

Bedwas are down to the bare bones as they are without their Wales Under-20s contingent and core Dragons players are not released for derby games. Keys have a full squad to pick from apart from their Under-20s players.

Keys thumped Bedwas 50-18 when the sides met at Bridge Field in September.