The Black & Ambers currently top Pool B with two games to go to determined who reaches the final. Ebbw Vale are similarly unbeaten in their two games to date, but trail by two points.
If the league game is anything to go by then Jason Strange’s Steelmen will go into the game as favourites after putting their Gwent rivals firmly in their place to go back to the top of the SRC table. They now lead Cardiff by a point with five games left to play in the regular season.
The Steelmen’s 20-5 home win over arch-rivals Newport in a rainsoaked derby also enabled them to make it four successful defences of the SRC Challenge Shield. It was a performance that received the full seal of approval from head coach Jason Strange.
“We knew that we had to play well and, overall, the performance was good, and the result was pleasing. In those conditions the boys did a really professional job,” said Strange.
“We wanted them to be positive and look for space, and they attacked the game. In defence their commitment and togetherness were very good.
“It was an important game for us because Newport are a very good team with some really good players.”
Ebbw Vale now have home games against Bridgend, Carmarthen and Swansea to come to hold onto the shield, as well as away trips to Aberavon and Newport.
Newport paid the price for not converting early pressure and were saved from being ‘nilled’ for the first time since January 2016, a 46-0 Premiership Challenge Cup loss at Bedwas, by tight head prop Garin Harris’ consolation in the 79th minute.
A try from Dylan Bartlett try and a penalty and conversion by Evan Lloyd gave them a 10-point cushion which they held to the break, despite having skipper Joe Franchi sent to the sin bin for 10 minutes for a breakdown offence.
Lloyd added a penalty and then created a try for Wales U20 win Harry Rees-Weldon, which he also converted to make it 20-0. Then came the face saving try from Harris.
