CROSS Keys have been urged to play with pride when they welcome RGC 1404 to Pandy Park as their time in the Principality Premiership ticks down, writes Chris Kirwan.

Keys will be in the Championship next season after a nightmare run of 10 defeats condemned them to relegation.

They entertain RGC tomorrow then host Pontypridd on Wednesday, with a dramatic improvement needed after a midweek horror show.

Keys were hammered 62-5 by 10-try Bridgend, who climbed above Bedwas and Llanelli out of the drop zone.

It has been a testing season on and off the field, with the club's management committee forced to ask for donations because of financial pressure, an appeal that has raised almost £7,000.

But team manager Mark Prangell wants Keys to finish with a fight in their final week as a Premiership club.

"We have been hot and cold," admitted Prangell. "We played well against Newport for 60 minutes but their bench made the difference but Bridgend was a reality check.

"There can be every excuse under the sun, but that performance was just not good enough and we have to be better this weekend.

"We have to play for the badge and we owe it to our supporters to play with real pride in these final two games because the response to our appeal for donations to a fund was tremendous.

"That support has been unbelievable and will allow us to start afresh in the Championship next season."

Keys will once again be without centre Tiaan Loots and fly-half Jacob Botica, who moved to the Dragons from RGC last summer. Neither back made a regional appearance this season after heading south.

The north Walians won 33-13 when the teams met in Colwyn Bay in December.

l Cross Keys' Former Players Association are holding a reunion at the game, starting at midday.