CROSS Keys can build on back-to-back away wins tonight by ending a run of three successive defeats by Cardiff and gaining revenge for a heavy loss against the capital outfit two months ago.

Cardiff, fourth in Principality Premiership East, overpowered Keys in the second half of their previous meeting on September 16, seeing off the Gwent side 46-19 at the Arms Park.

Keys have climbed to sixth following wins on the road over Bargoed and Ebbw Vale, and they will look to move up another place when Steve Law’s men visit Pandy Park (kick-off 7.30pm).

If they do manage to come out on top it would be a first triumph in the fixture for Keys since November 2015.

Cardiff have prevailed in the three encounters since then, scoring 117 points in the process compared to just 43 for Keys.

Looking back on the clash earlier this season, Keys head coach Greg Woods said: “I think it was very close at half-time and then they blew us away in the second half.

“They overpowered us and just ran away with it – we definitely didn’t have our best game that day.

“They’ve had a good season so far and it will be another tough challenge for us at Pandy Park.

“We’ve just got to make sure that we are on the money defensively.”

He added: “For us to get two away wins on the bounce has been very pleasing, so we’ll be looking to take that form into the Cardiff game.

“The boys have got the confidence to play and we want them to play an expansive game at a high tempo.

“We want to give a lot of people game time this season and make sure boys can transfer through to Premiership standard.

“Taine Basham is a good example. He has just turned 18 and came through the regional age-grade system.

“He is a quality back-rower who can play across the different positions.”

Elsewhere tonight, the Wern hosts a mouth-watering battle between the eastern conference top two as leaders Pontypridd go to second-placed Merthyr.

The visitors beat the Ironmen 49-29 in a high-scoring thriller at Sardis Road back in September.