CROSS Keys coach David Rees will tell his players to go out and beat Whitland in the Principality Cup tomorrow to reward the club for its loyalty to them.

Rees, in his first stint at the helm, took Keys to the semi-finals in 1999 before they went out to Swansea at Sardis Road.

But with alterations in the cup format and further changes in Welsh rugby, he acknowledges a First Division side will never reach the last four again.

"But victory over Whitland will put us in the draw for the seventh round with the big clubs," said Rees. "That would be a nice reward to the club for the loyalty they have shown in us.

"There are no financial problems at Cross Keys, the players have always been paid on time and I just think it would be nice if the players could reward everyone with a big tie in the next round.

"With the seeding and drafting systems I don't think a First Division club will ever get as far as a semi-final again.

"But they can still enjoy some big days and we'll be trying to go as far as we can."

However, with the changes planned in Welsh rugby and the top three sides in this season's Welsh First Division likely to play in a new Premier Division of 12 next season, Keys haven't given up on a top three league finish.

Six successive wins have taken them to sixth in the table and Rees believes a top three spot is realistic.

"With the exception of Aberavon (who Cross Keys defeated at Pandy Park), all the top sides have to visit us," said Rees.

"In addition we are only seven points behind the third team (Llandovery) with a game in hand, so I think it's realistic to be looking at that third spot.

"We may not be smashing sides, but we are playing controlled, winning rugby.

"When we won promotion to the Premier Division (in 2000) we didn't dominate the division. It's all about consistency. The side has matured immensely over the last two months and if we continue then we can go further."

Regarding the Whitland test, Rees added: "It was one of our best pre-Christmas performances when we beat them (43-13) at home earlier in the season, but this time it will be more difficult.

"They were without their overseas players then and they'll have them back on Saturday.

"They haven't a lot to play for in the league so they'll be looking for something in the cup.

"So we know it will be tough but that we are capable of winning if we play to our potential."

Cross Keys: Darren Miles; Dave Price, Movete Otoota, Gwion Bowen, Ken Morris; Gethin Worgan, Tommy Walsh; Ian Evans, Andrew Brown, Daniel Evans, Jamie Sulway, Paul Watkins, Ben Watkins, Steve Gardner, Andrew Gibbs (captain).

Replacements: Matthew John, Lee Gardner, Darren Crimmens, Monte Pienaar, Martin Williams, James Pizey, Matthew Spencer.