CROSS Keys must win the battle of the breakdown as they attempt to become the first team to lower the colours of Carmarthen Quins at Pandy Park tonight (kick-off 7.30pm).

Keys have enjoyed a good couple of weeks to climb to fifth in the Principality Premiership, beating Llanelli 44-34 and then drawing 18-18 at Llandovery.

But tonight they face a stern challenge against the Quins, who have won all seven of their league encounters this season and also beat champions Leinster A in the British and Irish Cup.

The west Walians did the double over Keys in the regular season in 2013/14 – winning 24-17 on their own turf and 7-3 in Gwent – but the men from Pandy Park won the big one.

They emerged triumphant from the Premiership play-off semi-final at Carmarthen Park 31-20 thanks to scores by captain and centre Leon Andrews (2) and wing Elliott Jones.

Fifth-placed Keys will attempt to use a similar blueprint to cut the 15-point gap to the second-placed visitors, who trail champions Pontypridd by a point.

“We are pleased with seven points from two tough games against Llanelli and Llandovery and it will be a fantastic effort if we finish this block off with a win,” said head coach Greg Woods. “But this is the hardest game of the three and we need to rein them in after their superb start.

“We can take confidence from the way that we beat them in the semi-final last season. The breakdown is always a massive battle against Quins, they pile in so we need to secure our ball.

“They are direct and are strong at the set piece but what we have done well recently is focus on ourselves.

“Our defence has been a lot better of late and if we can play at pace and with width then we know that we can cause trouble.”

Dragons fly-half Angus O’Brien is charged with pulling the strings for Keys. The 20-year-old, who has made eight regional appearances this season, impressed against Llanelli and the Drovers.