CROSS Keys have rewarded three of their coaching staff after yet another impressive season by signing up head coach Greg Woods on a new contract and extending the deals of director of rugby Jonathan Westwood and backs guru Morgan Stoddart.

The small Gwent Valleys have punched way above their weight for several seasons now and have made the Principality Premiership play-offs for a second successive year.

Keys face near neighbours Ebbw Vale away at Eugene Cross Park on Saturday, May 9 with the opportunity of another shot at the league title against Pontypridd at Sardis Road eight days later should they beat the Steelmen.

Last year Keys suffered heartache after they lost out on silverware twice to Ponty, losing the Swalec Cup final 21-8 at the Millennium Stadium before going down to them 38-17 in the Grand Final a fortnight later.

This month the Pandy Park side ran the double champions close in a Swalec Cup semi-final classic at Cardiff Arms Park before going down 33-27.

Woods and Westwood, in the season before Stoddart replaced fellow Wales international Mark Ring as backs coach, delivered the Swalec Cup in 2012 when they won a memorable final 32-19 against Pontypridd at the Millennium Stadium.

After an indifferent start to the first half of this season, since late December, Keys have gone on an impressive run which has seen them win 13 of their last 15 games.

Honorary secretary Chris Clarke said he was delighted the trio had decided to pen new and extended deals.

“Our form in recent years has been excellent and our coaches emphasise what ambition is all about at a semi-professional level.

“They have a habit of continuing to develop players to achieve, as James Cordy-Redden’s move showed this month (the full back has signed a professional contract to join the England Sevens squad).

Keys are also looking to recruit a new strength and conditioning coach after former Newbridge, Newport, Ebbw Vale and Wales Under-21s wing Alun Harries decided to move on.

“We would like to thank Alun for his service over recent seasons,” Clarke said.