BLACKWOOD desperately need to earn Gwent derby bragging rights when they make the short trip to Newbridge in the Championship this afternoon, writes Chris Kirwan.

The Glan-yr-Afon Park outfit are bottom of the table but are far from doomed. In fact, their fate is in their own hands.

They trail Beddau and Bonymaen by four points but have games in hand on their relegation rivals, who they face before the end of the season.

However, Blackwood need to make sure they are still within striking distance and could do with turning the tables on 'Bridge, who took the spoils 18-11 when the teams met in December.

Newbridge should have enough points to avoid being dragged into the scrap but a home win this afternoon would ease any lingering fears.

Champions Ebbw Vale are hunting a perfect season and will hope to make it 22 wins out of 22 when they take on Bridgend Athletic at Newbridge Fields.

Pontypool still have aspirations of finishing as runners-up and will need to take the spoils on their travels to Tondu.

Other fixtures: Beddau v Narberth, Bonymaen v Bargoed, Llanharan v RGC 1404, Tata Steel v Cardiff Met.