NEWBRIDGE desperately need to break their duck when they welcome Gwent rivals Blackwood to the Welfare Ground in the Swalec Championship tomorrow afternoon.

‘Bridge are still searching for their first win of the season after being edged out by Bridgend Athletic 25-20 at Newbridge Fields last weekend.

Their losing point meant that they added to their tally for the first time since a round two home draw against Narberth but they prop up the table will be playing catch-up if they fail to get over the line.

Tenth-placed Blackwood comfortably beat Tondu 41-17 at Glan-yr-Afon Park last weekend and if they earn the derby bragging rights then they will have won consecutive games for the first time since May 2013.

Victory would inch Matthew Veater’s side further away from the bottom four – but defeat would keep them right in the mix at the basement.

They will hope for a repeat of last season’s fixture between the sides at the Welfare Ground when Blackwood earned a remarkable 41-5 victory, avenging their 18-11 loss on their own turf.

Pontypool will attempt to get their season back on track when they host Tata Steel after a frustrating fortnight.

Pooler were edged out by Cardiff Met in a clash marred by three controversial red cards and then suffered late heartbreak in Swansea last Sunday.

They were leading in the closing stages but conceded a pair of late scores to suffer a cruel 22-13 defeat that meant they had nothing to show for their toil in the rain at St Helen’s.

Pooler sit in seventh and it is clear that promotion will not be happening this season but director of Alan Carter will want his charges to continue to build towards their ultimate aim of a Premiership return.

Last season the Gwent side did the double over Tata, winning 29-8 at home and 38-5 in Port Talbot.

Elsewhere, leaders Bargoed will face a stern challenge against the Cardiff Met students while Swansea can ill afford another slip-up when they head north to face RGC 1404.

Tondu host Narberth, Llanharan welcome Glynneath to the Dairy Field and Bridgend Athletic head to Merthyr.