NEWBRIDGE aim stay on an upward trend to get their first Swalec Championship win under their belt when they travel to Glynneath this afternoon (kick-off 2.30pm), writes Chris Kirwan.

'Bridge made a nightmare start to the campaign when thumped 62-0 by Tondu but responded by drawing 23-23 with a strong Narberth outfit at the Welfare Ground last weekend.

The coaching team are looking for another improvement from their charges against a Glynneath side that have lost both of their games since heading up as unbeaten Division One West champions.

"We asked for a reaction from the players last weekend and we got it," said Newbridge team manager Darren Venn.

"We underperformed at Tondu but trained well and responded well; the structures looked good and the set piece was near to 100 per cent against Narberth.

"They are a team that I am sure will be in the top five come the end of the season and we were unlucky not to win.

"We're looking to improve week on week and hopefully that will happen so that we can get a first win under our belt.

"Preparation has been good but we know that we will have to be at our best because while Glynneath are something of an unknown entity, I am sure they will be aggressive and potent behind the scrum."

Pontypool responded to a meek opening weekend defeat in Bargoed by beating Llanharan with a bonus point.

They will need to travel better on the road this season if they are to earn promotion back to the Principality Premiership and today they head to Tondu, who found the going tough in Merthyr last weekend.

Last season Pooler won their home game against the Waterwheelers40-10 but were comprehensively beaten 19-3 in Bridgend last April.

Blackwood must be wondering if they upset the fixtures secretary as their solid start to the season sees them host in-form Bargoed this afternoon.

The Glan-yr-Afon Park side hosted RGC 1404 on opening weekend, emerging with a losing bonus point from a tight encounter, before being hammered by title favourites Swansea.

They shipped 11 tries at St Helen's and head coach Matthew Veater will demand a much, much better display against a Bargoed side that have started impressively, beating Pooler and RGC with bonus points to keep pace with the Whites.

Other fixtures: Cardiff Met v Bridgend Athletic, Llanharan v RGC 1404, Narberth v Merthyr, Swansea v Tata Steel.