The Ravens have not made the best of starts to the season losing four of their five league games so far. Their sole victory came last time out at the Brewery Field two weeks ago when they recorded an excellent 34-16 victory over Ospreylian rivals Aberavon but prior to that they suffered consecutive defeats at the heads of Carmarthen Quins, Pontypridd, Llandovery and at Llanelli.
Last season Keys claimed the double over the Ravens winning at Pandy Park by 35-15 and at the Brewery Field by 38-30.
Games between the two sides have, in recent years been highly entertaining and are often high scoring with tight results.
Just six players that started last week in Ealing start again this week against the Ravens. Steffan Jones once again starts at outside half for Keys whilst up front last week’s hat-trick hero Tom Lampard moves from the second row to the back row and starts at openside flanker.
Having been handed a difficult opening set of fixtures, which saw four consecutive defeats, the Ravens picked themselves up to comprehensively defeat the Wizards last time out. Cross Keys sit four points and two places ahead of Bridgend – having won two and lost two of their opening four games.
Ravens head coach Ben Rose is excited about the trip to Cross Keys. “I know that Pandy Park is a tough place to go and Greg Woods has built a good strong squad over the last few seasons. They have a real togetherness that has been built for a few seasons.
“Most recently Cross Keys have come off the back of two very good performances and victories in the B&I cup. They have beaten two strong English sides so they must have been good physically to do that. In order for us to come away from the game with anything we are going have to match them in this area first.”
Cross Keys: 15 Rhys Jones 14 Luke Williams 13 Leon Andrews (c) 12 Phil Williams 11 Nathan Trowbridge 10 Steffan Jones 9 Ryan James; 1 Richard Cornock 2 Darren Hughes 3 Anthony Lott 4 Danny Hodge 5 Ollie Hodge 6 Reuben Tucker 7 Tom Lampard 8 Adam Powell
Replacements: Mitch Auger, Gerwyn Price, Nathan Buck, Sean Higgins, Rhys Dyer, Aaron Bramwell, Nathan Williams, Elliot Jones.
