BEDWAS can take a giant step towards the semi-finals of the Foster's Challenge Cup if they can turn over Newport at Bridge Field this afternoon, writes Chris Kirwan.

Steve Law's side are currently second in the Gwent group of the development competition but will be on the brink of the last four with a success against the Black and Ambers.

Ebbw Vale are currently leading the way thanks to a 28-20 victory against Cross Keys in Ystrad Mynach on Wednesday evening.

The Steelmen triumphed on a perishing night at the Dragons' training base thanks to a penalty try and scores by centre Nathan Preece, Wales Under-18s back row forward Dawid Rubasniak and Dragons academy wing Jared Rosser.

Keys, whose tries were scored by scrum-half James Leadbeater, number eight Adam Powell and centre Phil Williams, had to be content with a losing bonus point.

Ebbw are top of the pool with 12 points from five games, Bedwas are second with 11 from three, Keys have six from three while Newport didn't emerge with anything from their solitary game at Eugene Cross Park.

The teams head into the game after contrasting fortunes in round one of the Swalec Cup – Bedwas attempt to build on a triumph at Pontypool while Newport want to get over a home disappointment against Carmarthen Quins.

The hosts are without wing George Gasson, centre Connor Edwards and back row Andrew Waite because of the Dragons Premiership Select XV game at Ebbw Vale while duty at Eugene Cross Park means Newport are without full-back Llywarch Ap Myrddin, scrum-half Owen Davies, lock Adam Brown and centre/wing Barney Nightingale.

Bedwas: I Phillips, R Budina, A Williams, M Callow, A Evans, J Dixon, T Rowlands, B Toms, A Rees, K Jenkins, G Williams, T Bell, J Sawyer, N Hudd, S Feehan (captain). Replacements: A Rees, D Preece, M Pettit, G Edmunds, R Verley, L Crane, G Lee, M John

Newport: T Howells, O Williams, A King, P King, J Morris, J Mogg, A Bidgood, J Greenfield, H Palmer, T Piper, B Lampitt, B Morgan, J Davies, J Cullimore, J Goodey. Replacements: A Watkins, M Prosser, A Jeffries, AN Other, M Williams, R Jenkins, R Wilson, H Palmer

Current standings: Ebbw Vale (P5, 12pts), Bedwas (P3, 11pts), Cross Keys (P3, 6pts), Newport (P1, 0pts)