BEDWAS bid to keep chasing silverware on two fronts when they travel to Bridgend in the semi-finals of the Foster’s Challenge Cup tomorrow afternoon (kick-off 2.30pm), writes Chris Kirwan.

Steve Law’s men head to the Brewery Field, the ground where they were edged out 38-34 by Pontypridd in a thrilling final in last year’s tournament.

Bedwas are having a super season but are looking to bounce back from a pair of defeats to big-spending Merthyr, the first knocking them out of the WRU National Cup and the second in Tier One of the Principality Premiership.

The men from Bridge Field lost 26-20 at Bridgend in the league in October and Law expects another stern test.

“They will play with lots of commitment,” said the head coach. “They are into everything and are very combative at the contact area while their 9 and 10 play a lot.

“We’ve been there and lost once this season so know what to expect and will have to be on our mettle.”

Bedwas qualified for the knockout stages of the development tournament by topping a pool featuring Gwent rivals Cross Keys and Newport.

“Sometimes the competition can be difficult with midweek fixtures but it changes when you get to the semi-finals and final with the potential of winning something and we are putting a strong side out,” said Law.

Bedwas are without Newport Gwent Dragons lock Joe Davies but field a team of Premiership regulars, including centre Ross Wardle as he continues his comeback from rupturing knee ligaments last summer. Tom Bell gets a chance in Davies’ absence while prop Brynley Toms deputises for the unavailable Matthew Pettit.

Bedwas: A Bramwell, P Lewis, R Wardle, M Callow, M John, R Powell, N Griffiths (captain), B Toms, A Rees, C Budgen, G Edmunds, T Bell, J Richards, G Lee, R Blake. Replacements: R Hutcherson, D Preece, AN Other, A Waite, N Hudd, L Crane, J Dixon, C Edwards.

l The other semi-final takes place at Aberavon on Wednesday where Carmarthen Quins take on Merthyr.