DESPITE taking their winning run to 10 league games at the weekend, Ebbw Vale head coach Nigel Davies is expecting more from his charges during Tuesday night’s rearranged Gwent derby against Cross Keys at Pandy Park (7.15pm).

The Steelmen lead the Principality Premiership with just two fixtures to go and are strong favourites for one of the three play-off berths following Saturday’s 14-12 victory over Carmarthen Quins.

However, Davies feels Ebbw’s form in recent weeks has dropped below their usual standard, something he is keen for them to address when they face Keys.

“It’s obviously a big game for both sides,” he said. “We’re on a good run of results but in the last couple of games we haven’t been able to reach the levels of earlier in the run.

“We’re expecting a bit more from ourselves compared to how we played against Quins.

“Having said that, Quins played very well on Saturday. They played the conditions well and had a couple of players back from long-term injuries.”

Wales Under-20 star Harri Keddie is back in the Ebbw fold now to add his weight to the Steelmen’s play-off push.

Skipper Damien Hudd’s hearing over his red card against Bedwas last month is scheduled for next Tuesday and he can continue playing until any punishment is handed out.

“We are very happy with our position,” added Davies. “We’ve been able to play most of our games and we’ve got points on the board.

“It puts us in a strong position and we need to keep the momentum going.”

Meanwhile, Keys chief Greg Woods has again bemoaned his club’s bad luck with the weather after their trip to Aberavon last weekend was postponed because of a waterlogged pitch.

Sixth-placed Keys have had umpteen matches called off this term and although their Premiership destiny still lies in their own hands, Woods would much rather have the points on the board.

“Make no bones about it, the weather has killed us,” he said. “It’s a total disadvantage having games in hand but we’ve got to get on with it.

“We must hold the world record now for the number of games in a season called off. It must be into double figures.”

He continued: “I’m not saying we are taking our eye off the league but the Swalec Cup semi-final is a huge focus for us.

“We wanted the opportunity to play on Saturday because now we’ve only got two games before the cup.

“Players will want to take the opportunity to get a place in the side for the semi-final.”

Cross Keys

15. Josh Prosser, 14. Mathew Powell, 13. Barney Nightingale, 12. Nathan Williams, 11. Lloyd Lewis, 10. Geraint Rhys Jones, 9. Owain Leonard; 1. Luke Garrett, 2. Ellis Shipp, 3. Richard Cornock, 4. Simon Williams, 5. Scott Andrews, 6. Josh Skinner, 7. Scott Matthews (capt), 8. Ieuan Jones.

Replacements: Darren Hughes, Gary Carpenter, Anthony Lott, Adam Powell, Nathan Trowbridge, Owen Howe, James Leadbeater, Danny Hodge.

Ebbw Vale

15. Dan Haymond, 14. Ryan Gardner, 13. Jordan Howells, 12. Adam Jones, 11. David Williams, 10. Iain Smerdon, 9. Tom Edwards; 1. Ian George, 2. Mathew Williams, 3. Rob Sevenoaks, 4. Damien Hudd (capt), 5. Ashley Sweet, 6. Rhys Clarke, 7. Ronny Kynes, 8. Harrison Keddie.

Replacements: Joe Franchi, Ross Jones, Gethin Robinson, Joe Bartlett, Ethan Doyle, Cameron Regan, Chris Thomas, Nathan Preece.