PRINCIPALITY Premiership leaders Ebbw Vale attempt to get back on the horse when they travel to Aberavon this afternoon.

The Steelmen suffered a 10-0 home defeat to Gwent foes Cross Keys last week and face another tricky encounter at the Talbot Athletic Ground against the Wizards, who are fresh from wins against Llandovery and Bedwas.

Fourth-placed Keys are in fine form and will look to maintain their charge for the playoffs when they host struggling Neath while fifth-placed Bedwas won at title hopefuls Carmarthen Quins and need another super display when they host champions Pontypridd.

Ebbw Vale (at Aberavon): D Haymond, T James, T Hiscock, A James, O Williams, D Langdon, C Thomas, R Jones, R Francis, R Sevenoaks, D Hudd (captain), A Sweet, R Clarke, C Regan, J Jacas. Replacements: J Lavender, J Franchi, G Robinson, G Rusby-Davies, S Gibson, R Downes, I Smerdon, J Howells.

Cross Keys (v Neath): J Cordy-Redden, E Jones, L Andrews (captain), P Williams, N Trowbridge, E Davies, R James, R Cornock, J Howard, A Lott, D Hodge, S Williams, J Skinner, S Matthews, A Powell. Replacements: D Hughes, G Price-Jones, C Gould, T Lampard, N Williams, P Uhi, J Leadbeater, J Condy.

Bedwas (v Pontypridd): H Thomson, M John, M Callow, A Pinches, L Hudd, R Powell, L Crane, D Preece, R Wilkes, J Mills, J Walker, M Screech, A Lee, J Sawyer, D Crimmins (captain). Replacements: A Rees, B Toms, M Pettit, P Rees, S Grainger, T Rowlands, J Maynard, R Budina

BLACKWOOD could do with a morale-boosting win when they host Bridgend Athletic in the Swalec Championship this afternoon.

The men from Glan-yr-Afon Park have had a torrid time of things recently with players leaving and the management team changing.

They have lost their last 10, the latest a 92-24 thumping at fellow strugglers Llanharan, to slip to 13th. They will be hoping for at least a good display against Athletic, who triumphed 29-21 when the sides met in Bridgend earlier this season.

While Blackwood are on the slide, Newbridge are on the up. ‘Bridge have won four of their last five to climb to 11th and will aim to keep that run going at Tata Steel.

Pontypool sit in third and could do their hopes of being the side that finishes behind runaway leaders Bargoed and Swansea the power of good by winning at Cardiff Met.

Other fixtures: Glynneath v RGC 1404, Narberth v Bargoed, Swansea v Merthyr, Tondu v Llanharan.

TODAY’S BEN FRANCIS CUP FIXTURES: Risca v Machen, Pill Harriers v Cwmbran, Brynmawr v Blaenavon.

TODAY’S BEN FRANCIS PLATE FIXTURES: Abertillery v Newport Saracens (Nantyglo v Abercarn will be played on Thursday, March 12 at Blaina)