COACH Andrew Gibbs knows that it won't be down to a shortage of effort if Newbridge fall to a Swalec Cup semi-final defeat tomorrow.

The Welfare Ground outfit are huge underdogs for their last-four clash with Pontypridd at Cardiff Arms Park.

Ponty are in the running for the Premiership title while 'Bridge are hoping a strong finish to their Division One East campaign could pip Bargoed to second place.

Newbridge head into the game with a 10-game winning streak that stretches back to their loss to Glamorgan Wanderers in Ely on November 26.

But, after beating Gilfach Goch, Llanharan, Bargoed and UWIC to get to this stage, Gibbs just wants his players to do themselves proud against one of the best semi-professional sides in the land.

“It's so exciting for the club and everybody is just looking forward to the day,” said Gibbs.

“There is no pressure on us and we have nothing to lose against a side that is strong all over the park but if we can get parity up front then you never know.

“We have prepared well and all you can ask is that the players give it their all, which I have absolutely no doubt they will.

“We made a great start to the season and then suffered a bit of a hiccup but the cup has done us wonders.

“It has kept the players focused and we have been on a great run since the Glamorgan Wanderers game.

“The players will put everything into this but I just hope that the occasion doesn't get to them and they do themselves justice because they have been terrific recently.

“That bodes well for us putting in a big performance and giving a good account of ourselves.” Hooker Rhys Price is aware that he will be in the thick of the action at the set piece.

“I am sure they will come with a big pack and a strong scrum but we’ve been playing well since the turn of the year and we are playing well as a team,” he said.

“We are the underdogs but on our day we can compete with anyone.”

Newbridge: R Lee, C Young, M Edwards, G Langdon, A Bevan, N Burnett, R Addis, G Lewin, R Price, G Weaver, M Curtis, G Thomas, D Gibbs, A Coupe, R Coombs (captain). Replacements: D Evans, D Hughes, G Knapp, J Jones, T Edwards, A Quick, D Phillips.