Ebbw Vale v Cross Keys, Principality Premiership play-off, Saturday, kick-off 7pm

TO live the impossible dream – that’s what Ebbw Vale will attempt this Saturday night at Eugene Cross Park as they aim to topple Cross Keys and set their sights on an inaugural Principality Premiership title.

To achieve that in their first season back in Welsh club rugby’s elite after a four-year exile would be the stuff of legend.

Especially when you consider many a naysayer had dismissed them as mere relegation-destined cannon fodder at the start of the season.

Doom mongers predicted they would be the league’s whipping boys after being promoted on the crest of a wave having swept all before them as unbeaten Swalec Championship winners in 2014.

How wrong they were and the Steelmen are now just two games away from achieving silverware for the fifth season in a row after winning the Division One East crown in 2011 and 2012, before claiming back-to-back Swalec Championship titles.

Their head coach Jason Strange took over the reins after Vale were relegated from the Premiership in 2010 and has steered them back to the big time in some style.

There were bad days along the way though, notably losing a promotion/relegation play-off to Glamorgan Wanderers 16-13 at Cardiff Arms Park in 2011, but all the pain has been worthwhile now as they savour the fruits of their labour.

Come what may, even getting to a Premiership play-off has been a stunning achievement for the men from Blaenau Gwent.

"It has all been about making the impossible possible for us after the long road from Division One East four years ago,” former Vale and Newport outside-half Strange said.

"Not many teams get promoted and have a chance at going for the title in their first season – most team accept they will be looking at mid-table at best.

“It has been a wonderful season for our players and supporters and a fantastic achievement to finish second in the league.”

Beating Keys this weekend would set them up for a Grand Final away against reigning champions Pontypridd at their Sardis Road home on Sunday, May 17.

But Strange knows it’s not going to be easy to turn over their big Gwent rivals Keys, even though there will be a few thousand home supporters cheering them on.

"Full credit to Cross Keys," he said. "They are an excellent side as they've proven by making the play-offs once again.

"It's going to be a cracking match which our players will relish and it will be case of whoever is the most accurate, the most clinical, is likely to prevail.

"For us, it will be all about doing the basics really well."

The popular ode to optimism, the Impossible Dream has been covered by many a crooner, including the late, great Frank Sinatra.

Ol’ Blue Eyes sings about “reaching the unreachable star”. The Steelmen might just get there.