THE Swalec Championship table doesn't make pretty reading for Newbridge and Blackwood at the moment but the Gwent pair know that things can turn around swiftly in a fiercely-contested league.

Bottom club Newbridge are the only side in the 14-strong division that are yet to enjoy a victory and today will aim to do what Blackwood couldn't manage seven days ago by winning at Bridgend Athletic.

If 'Bridge, who were downed by Tata Steel at the Welfare Ground last weekend, can break their duck then they could climb above three of their rivals in a tight division.

Athletic won 10-0 when the sides met in Bridgend last April to avenge a 38-20 defeat when the sides met early in 2013/14.

One-from-bottom Blackwood aim to double their number of wins when they welcome 10th-placed Tondu to Glan-yr-Afon Park.

Matthew Veater's side didn't leave Newbridge Fields with anything to show for their efforts after being beaten 29-21 last week but today's encounter is one that they must surely target.

Blackwood won 17-13 in Tondu last November but were beaten 31-19 on their own patch in April.

A spanner has been thrown in the works at the top end of the table courtesy of Merthyr's stunning 38-37 win against Swansea last weekend.

It means that Bargoed's grip on top spot will be strengthened if Pontypool can turn over the Whites in Sunday's televised clash at St Helen's (kick-off 4pm).

Pooler suffered their own disappointment in a controversial home encounter with Cardiff Met last weekend.

They were downed 28-21 by the students in a game that was marred by a first-half punch-up that saw red cards brandished to home prop Garin Harris and flanker Rob Nash as well as visiting lock Charlie Hewitt.

But Pooler showed oodles of character to at least bag a bonus point and will need more of the same against Swansea in front of the S4C cameras.

The Whites ran out 43-11 winners when the sides last met out west in the Principality Premiership in 2012 with wing Gareth Williams scoring a try for Pooler, whose line was crossed six times.

Today's other fixtures: Cardiff Met v RGC 1404, Glynneath v Bargoed, Narberth v Llanharan, Tata Steel v Merthyr