CROSS Keys coach David Rees has warned of the 'catastrophe' of relegation for the club if the players don't pull their socks up, beginning with their clash at home to title-chasing Pontypool tomorrow.

Rees was scathing in his comments to the players after their surprise midweek home defeat by fellow Welsh First Division strugglers Treorchy, describing their performance as "junior union parks rugby".

And today he added: "The players have to ask themselves if they are turning up for the wages or turning up for Cross Keys.

"What I need now are players who are willing to die for the cause, players prepared to play with passion.

"If I don't get that the outlook could be Second Division rugby and that would be catastrophic for the club. As others have found, it would be very hard to come back from. "The bottom line is the players have placed themselves in deeper water, though we all accept as coaches and officials that we also have to accept responsibility for the position we are in.

"Our performance against Treorchy was unacceptable, disgraceful, absolutely dreadful. Yet our previous 120 minutes of play had been our best of the season, our second half performance at Pontypool and our win at Llanharan.

"One of the most disappointing aspects is that I know I won't have to motivate them for the game against Pontypool because they are at the top of the table - and that's frustrating.

"I know they will compete with Pontypool, but they have to take that attitude with every team they meet. If we'd played half as well against Treorchy as we'd played against Pontypool last time, we'd have won by 20 points.

"The players have to learn that teams don't get anything unless they work hard for it." Having said that, Rees believes Pontypool's shock home defeat by Rumney last week will make it harder for Keys tomorrow.

"Pontypool will be chomping at the bit, but if we go into the game with a positive attitude." After the Rumney setback, Pontypool have held a series of crisis meetings.

Club director and financial backer Bob Jude has enforced a blanket ban on anyone at the Torfaen club speaking to the press while these meetings continue.

The Rumney result has led many people, including coach Steve Jones, to claim the club's promotion hopes have been dashed.

Table toppers Aberavon are now firmly in pole position, but Pontypool will still be determined to keep the heat on with victory tomorrow.

Keys are boosted by the return of Andrew Gibbs, outstanding at Pontypool Park, at No 8 and of flanker Ty Morris, on dual registration from Ebbw Vale.

In all they make eight changes from the Treorchy clash, centre Gwion Bowen out with a pulled groin muscle while Pontypool delay naming their side until just before kick-off, but wing Lenny Woodard is rested with a slight thigh strain.

Cross Keys: J Pizey, N McKim, R Davies, M McCarthy, S Marshall, G Worgan, N Hope, I Evans, F Vunipola, D Crimmins, C Heaven, M Veater, S Gardner, T Morris, A Gibbs. Replacements: A Boyd, M Lovell, D Staveley, M Wood, C Penny, M John, L Gardner. Kick-off 2.30pm.

Pontypool (from) S Lawrence, J Taylor, D Smith, S John, B Jeffries, J Hawker, G Jenkins, J Griffin, B Hayward, N Lloyd, S Waldron, L Jones, N Tau, M Jones, C Treherne, L Mustoe, G Taylor, K Faletau, A Howarth, M Powell, C Thomas, A Phillips. Meet Pandy Park 1pm.