Bargoed and Bedwas bid to keep the heat on Pontypool

The Bulls entertain the men from Bridge Field in what will be a vital encounter in the race for the title, and the prize of promotion.

Bargoed suffered a blow in their bid for a rapid return to the Premiership when they were beaten by Lloyd Lewis' 77th minute try in Pontypool a fortnight ago.

That leaves them 11 points back on the champions and with little room for error, even if they do have a game in hand on the pacesetters and home advantage on the penultimate weekend.

Bedwas, second and level on points with today's hosts, are in a stronger position thanks to nine wins from nine fixtures.

Stefan Sankala's side have responded superbly to the anguish of last-day relegation and head to Bargoed on the back of a thumping 54-5 victory against Glamorgan Wanderers.

Last season Bedwas did a Premiership double over the Bulls, winning a tense clash in Bargoed 28-26 after repelling a late onslaught.

Pontypool supporters might be checking their phones for updates from Bargoed Park but the players have a job to do in what is likely to be a feisty Gwent derby at Pandy Park.

Leighton Jones' men make the short trip to Cross Keys, who they beat 12-9 in the WRU National Cup last season.

They do so in very good shape thanks to wing Lewis' late winner against Bargoed, the Wales sevens speedster's 29th in 29 games for the club.

Pooler's record of 11 wins from 11 and 58 straight victories in the Championship would suggest it will be a comfortable afternoon against a home side that are at the wrong end of the table.

However, the hosts will be fired up by the sizeable contingent of former Keys players - notably cup winners Rob Nash and Danny Hodge plus captain Scott Matthews - and head into the game in good form themselves.

Morgan Stoddart's side looked in huge trouble at the start of December but back-to-back wins against Trebanos and Ystrad Rhondda have lifted them out of the drop zone.

Anything is a bonus against teams at the top end and Keys will hope to finish a testing 2019 on and off the field with a spirited performance to take into 2020, when they will hope to retain their Championship status.

The pick of the other games sees Ystalyfera host Trebanos in a vital match between teams in the relegation zone.

Championship fixtures: Bargoed v Bedwas, Beddau v Ystrad Rhodda, Cross Keys v Pontypool, Glamorgan Wanderers v Cardiff Met, Maesteg Quins v Tata Steel, Neath v Narberth, Ystalyfera v Trebanos

- Newport and Ebbw Vale don't play this afternoon after their Premiership fixture at Rodney Parade was moved back to January 31.

The pair received a boost in their battle at the wrong end of the table when Aberavon thrashed Bridgend 44-3 on Boxing Day.

Ebbw are bottom, a point behind the Ravens with a game in hand, while Newport are five ahead of the Steelmen, with a game in hand on their Gwent rivals.

Today Llandovery host Carmarthen Quins, Swansea head to Llanelli and unbeaten Cardiff attempt to take another step towards the title against Pontypridd at Sardis Road.