NIGEL Davies brought the league title to Eugene Cross Park at the end of his first season in charge of Ebbw Vale, and now he is targeting more success in a competition that has been very kind to him down the years.

Reigning Principality Premiership champions Ebbw host Championship side Skewen tomorrow (kick-off 2.30pm) in the first round of the WRU National Cup – Davies was a cup winner six times during his playing days.

In contrast, the Steelmen’s 19-12 defeat to Llanelli in the final at Ashton Gate in Bristol 19 years ago remains the closest they have come to lifting the trophy in their long history.

Current Ebbw head coach Davies played in that triumphant 1998 Scarlets side, while son Sam, now a star for Wales and the Ospreys, was Llanelli’s mascot that day aged just four.

But not only is Davies hopeful of helping Ebbw end their drought in the cup, but he is keen to use the Skewen tie as a springboard towards a successful defence of the league crown.

“Winning the Premiership title last year was such a big achievement for the club, and I’d like to think we could do something similar in the cup this season,” he said.

“We’ve got to get our preparation right and deliver on the day because there are no second chances in this competition.”

He added: “The first part of the season didn’t go according to plan for us in terms of how we played, so the most important thing from our point of view is that we start building performances.

“It’s all about focusing on our performances and making sure we up our level for the second part of the season, and that begins with this cup game.

“But the game is big in its own right and, having been involved in a number of cup matches over the years myself, I know you have to prepare in the right way to avoid a shock.

“I was fortunate to play in nine cup finals and there weren’t too many upsets along the way, but I did lose a couple of quarters and semis, as well as three finals.”

Skewen sit sixth in the Championship, nearly 40 points behind runaway leaders Pontypool.

“I know Skewen well,” said Davies. “They are a strong team with a good pack of forwards. They are doing reasonably well in the Championship and are well organised.”