Campaign Sport

Swalec Cup preview

By Iwan Davies

9:40am Saturday 28th January 2012

THERE’S the prospect of a number of potentially intriguing Swalec Cup ties involving Gwent clubs on offer this afternoon and the pick of the bunch could well be at Rodney Parade.

It’s a derby affair which sees city boys Newport take on the Steelmen from the Valleys in a clash to set the pulse racing.

The Black and Ambers have endured a torrid time in the Premiership this season with just five wins and 13 losses so far.

Newport went on an eight-match run of defeats at the end of the year but they have come out on top in their last two, although their last victory was against the ill-fated Tonmawr who haven’t won a game all season.

A cup distraction could well make or break their season but it won’t be easy against Vale.

They lead Division One East by four points ahead of Bargoed, the Steelmen winning 13 and losing just two of their 15 league games this season.

The Eugene Cross Park side will come out fighting but Newport will probably have too much for them.

But this is cup rugby after all and anything is possible.

That’s why Pontypool go into their home showdown with Neath full of self-belief.

Pooler are a joy to watch with their 15-man attacking approach, a well-drilled pack providing good possession.

Neath aren’t the team they were but still have a fine pedigree in this competition and secured back-to-back triumphs in 2008 and 2009.

Pooler won the cup back in 1983 and could well take a step closer to repeating that success today.

Cross Keys must feel like they are on top of the world at the moment following their stunning 32-8 quarter-final victory over Llanelli in the British & Irish Cup last weekend.

Going well in the league, they are genuine challengers for trophies on all three fronts this season.

But their passage into the next round of the Swalec Cup is blocked by the considerable challenge of Bedwas who come to Pandy Park today looking to be party poopers.

Keys are missing some top players in outside-half Steffan Jones and back rower Jevon Groves, with the Newport Gwent Dragons last night in their LV=Cup game with the Ospreys, and influential injured skipper and openside Rob Nash.

However, they should still have enough in reserve to emerge on top today.

Tredegar have found life in Division One East difficult after promotion last year with just a solitary win all season.

And like Tonmawr, they suffered the loss of a number of players who switched allegiance to another club before the new season. But they can give themselves a big lift with a win over fellow league side Rumney who visit the Recreation Ground this afternoon.

Tredegar should have beaten the Cardiff side earlier this month only to be pipped 22-21 and could easily go one better today.

Last but not least, fellow Division One East side Newbridge are also flying the flag for Gwent rugby.

They have a tough task on their hands, away against Division One West’s Llanharan.

But Newbridge are more than capable of winning this one to set up the prospect of a cracking home tie at the Welfare Ground in the next round.

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