NEWBRIDGE will have taken plenty of encouragement from their spirit in defeat last weekend but victory is all that matters when they host RGC 1404 in the Swalec Championship this afternoon, writes Chris Kirwan.

Bottom club ‘Bridge put in a fine performance against Pontypool last weekend but it wasn’t enough to earn a first league win of the season.

Back row forward Dean Gibbs scored at the death to earn a consolation bonus point from a 29-26 defeat and perhaps that will prove to be a crucial score when reflecting on the season in April.

If that is to be the case they desperately need to send the north Walians packing at the Welfare Ground today.

Newbridge’s week two draw with Narberth is the only time they have avoided defeat in 10 games but it’s not panic stations just yet. The gap to Llanharan and Tondu is just three points and if they can edge out inconsistent RGC, who have won five and lost five, then they will enjoy a surge in confidence ahead

Arguably the clash of the day is at The Wern where third-placed Merthyr take on fifth-placed Pontypool.

Pooler slipped a spot despite their hard-earned win against ‘Bridge after Narberth beat Glynneath with a bonus point.

Merthyr have won all five of their games on their own turf, including a stunning late win against title hopefuls Swansea, and thrashed Blackwood 45-12 last weekend.

But Pontypool have won their last three on the spin and will be keen to keep their momentum as they attempt to improve on last year’s fourth-placed finish.

Ninth-placed Blackwood came a cropper at Merthyr last week but still have a buffer from the teams at the basement.

They welcome Glynneath, two points and one place back, to Glan-yr-Afon Park this afternoon and these are the sort of games they need to be winning if they are to avoid having to look over their shoulders in the second half of the season.

Bargoed strengthened their grip on top spot when beating Tata Steel 26-0 last week while second-placed Swansea had to settle for an 18-7 win at Llanharan. The leaders travel to Bridgend Athletic this weekend while the Whites host Tondu.

Second-from-bottom Llanharan head to Tata while Cardiff Met, 30-15 winners at Tondu last week, host Narberth.

Fixtures: Blackwood v Glynneath, Bridgend Ath v Bargoed, Cardiff Met v Narberth, Merthyr v Pontypool, Newbridge v RGC 1404, Swansea v Tondu, Tata Steel v Llanharan