CROSS Keys head coach Greg Woods hopes that his charges once again rise to the challenge of a shootout in the west when they take on fellow playoff hopefuls Carmarthen Quins on Sunday (kick-off 4pm).

The men from Pandy Park have climbed to third place in the Principality Premiership thanks to a terrific run of seven wins in eight league games.

Keys looked like outsiders for the playoffs at the start of the season but now they look in good shape to extend their campaign, and possibly even enjoy home advantage in the semi-final.

Their position will be strengthened if they take the spoils when they lock horns with the fourth-placed Quins, who are also on 53 points albeit with four games left rather than five.

Keys triumphed 31-20 in last season's semi-final in Carmarthen and Woods is looking for another stylish display.

"It's a shootout and a real eight-pointer," said the head coach. "We went there in the playoffs last year, so we can do it.

"We will need to be at our best and it's a game with a knockout feel to it. Lose and there's no margin for error and neither side will want to be in that position with a fair few games still left.

"We've been on a hell of a run recently and, looking at the remaining fixtures, I think that 15 points from our five games should be enough for us."

The humdinger will be played in front of the S4C cameras and Keys hope that's a good omen after their 10-0 win at Eugene Cross Park last month.

"We did well last time that we were on TV at Ebbw Vale and that win kick-started our good run," said Woods. "The boys are really excited and want to perform well in front of the cameras."

Keys have plenty of selection headaches as they are picking from a full squad with captain and centre Leon Andrews back in the mix after suffering from a knuckle injury.