BEDWAS have pledged to play without fear when they attempt to upset the odds against Pontypridd to lift the Foster’s Challenge Cup.

The men from Bridge Field head to Bridgend (kick-off 2.30) aiming to win their first major piece of silverware and are buoyed by a stunning home win when the sides met in the Principality Premiership.

A hard-fought 22-8 success means they travel west with belief that they can scupper the treble bid of a Pontypridd side who have got used to adding to their Sardis Road trophy cabinet.

“We know that there is a big challenge ahead of us and Ponty are heavy favourites because they are still fighting in every competition and have a formidable record,” said head coach Steve Law.

“I won’t need to motivate the players on Saturday and we will go into the game with confidence and energy. The boys can’t wait, we respect Pontypridd but don’t fear them.

“I’d also like to think that we’ve earned their respect because our games have usually been very tight and then we beat them earlier in the season. We will need to be as clinical as we were on that day and execute our game.”

Some clubs didn’t buy into the Challenge Cup and the woeful weather played havoc with the fixtures in the Gwent group but Bedwas were always in it to win it.

They are unbeaten in seven games in the development competition, only denied victory when Ebbw Vale drew at Bridge Field, and comprehensively overcame Carmarthen Quins 48-20 in the semis to move within 80 minutes of glory.

“This is really big for the club, we have come close a few times but have never been in a final,” said Law.

“People may have poo-pooed this competition when it started but I can assure you that every side was going for it in the semi-finals and now Ponty will be taking it just as seriously as us.

“We treated it properly from the start and I only brought in (permit) players through necessity or because we were interested in signing them. We didn’t bring fillers in.

“That proved to be a good template because our league form improved as a result and now we have a chance of winning a trophy.”

Bedwas were offered the services of six Dragons players but, while grateful for the offer, will only field former club captain James Thomas and regulars Aled Brew and Joe Davies, preferring to reward those who have got them to the final.

They will be without fly-half Richard Powell (shoulder) and tighthead Joe Mills (neck) while 18-year-old Garyn Payne will play after impressing on debut against Llanelli.

“He did very well and the first time he had the ball he made a burst and broke through the tackle of (Fiji wing) Michael Tagicakibau to score! He is a promising prospect,” said Law.