PRINCIPALITY PREMIERSHIP PREVIEW

The Ravens crashed to a 22-10 defeat at Rodney Parade where Newport have not been beaten in overtwo years. Bridgend dropped to third in the table after Saturday’s loss having been leading with a three-point cushion. But wins for Neath and Aberavon ensured the chasing pack capitalised on the Raven’s slip to take first and second places respectively.

Aberavon welcome Swansea to the Talbot Athletic Ground bussing with confidence from their fine early season form. The Wizards have produced some magical displays in recent weeks and sit proudly in second place, level on points with Neath in first and Bridgend in third. Swansea claimed an emphatic victory over Glamorgan Wanderers in their last outing but on current form the Wizards look set to remain in the leading group at the top of the table.

Ebbw Vale clash with Bedwas at Eugene Cross Park with the teams separated by just three points in the table. Ebbw Vale lost to Aberavon last weekend while Bedwas beat Llandovery 16-11 and Saturday’s clash promises to be a tight affair between two teams desperate to move away from the quagmire at the bottom.

Llanelli travel to Maesteg with their eyes firmly fixed on the top three teams in the league who are only three points away. A win at the Old Parish will further propel the Konica Minolta Cup holders up the table and ensure they keep within touching distance of the top teams.

Glamorgan Wanderers travel to Pontypool hoping to swiftly erase the memories of last weekend’s hammering at the hands of Swansea. The All Whites stunned the Wanderers with a 63-19 defeat and the Wanderers will hope to get to winning ways this time out.

Newport make the trip to Sardis Road on Saturday as they go head to head with Pontypridd hoping to leap-frog their local rivals in the table. Level on points with Newport but with a game in hand Pontypridd have the chance to make ground on the teams at the top who are three points ahead having played one game more.

In the days other games Neath host Llandovery at the Gnoll and Cross Keys travel to the Arms Park to front up to Cardiff.