THERE will be a strong feeling of déjà vu at Pandy Park next Saturday when Cross Keys and visitors Llandovery run out to do battle with each other for a place in the National Cup semi-finals.

That is because tomorrow, seven days before that cup meeting, sees the two sides locking horns there in the Principality Premiership.

They go into the game (kick-off midday) separated by just a single point in the league table, with the Drovers having played one match fewer than Keys since east and west combined in December.

After finishing second behind RGC 1404 in the western conference, Llandovery took seven points into the second part of the season.

And with home wins over Aberavon and Cardiff, Euros Evans’ troops already look like being one of the contenders to go all the way this term.

Merthyr accounted for Keys before the turn of the year but since then it has all been good news as far as Morgan Stoddart and his side are concerned.

Bonus-point triumphs against Neath and Swansea, both on the road, along with a couple of cup successes has made it a perfect 2018 for the Gwent outfit so far.

Home teams have ruled this fixture in recent seasons, with Keys winning the last 11 against the Drovers at Pandy Park.

You need to go back more than 15 years to find the last time Llandovery tasted success on Keys soil – that was a 38-19 win in October 2002.

Keys will be hoping that run continues over the next two Saturdays.

They made it four wins on the bounce last Saturday courtesy of Josh Skinner’s try double and touchdowns for Richard Cornock and captain Scott Matthews.

At Church Bank, Llandovery recovered from 19-9 down to edge Cardiff 26-24, although the visitors did miss a late conversion to tie the scores.

Elsewhere tomorrow, National Cup quarter- finalists Bargoed travel west to Carmarthen Quins, Cardiff host Neath and RGC 1404 entertain Swansea.