CARDIFF supremo and former Bedwas head coach Steve Law is confident Ebbw Vale have enough quality in their squad to avoid relegation from the Premiership this season.

Weather permitting, Law’s league leaders will go head-to-head with the Steelmen at Eugene Cross Park tomorrow afternoon (kick-off 2.30pm).

The visitors are chasing a league and cup double and currently hold a 10-point advantage over second-placed Carmarthen Quins in the race for the Premiership crown.

They have already beaten Ebbw twice this term, with the two victories, both at Cardiff Arms Park, coming in the space of eight days last November.

The league encounter was a real war of attrition which Cardiff won by nine points, while the National Cup tie couldn’t have been more one-sided as Law’s charges romped to a 78-12 success.

Ebbw won’t be as bad tomorrow as they were that day, but they do remain in a battle against the drop with bottom club Bridgend, who sit three points below the Steelmen.

“The conditions contributed to the league game being so tight, it really restricted our way of playing,” recalled Law.

“It was a tough game, the weather was horrendous, so we were happy to survive and get out of it with a win.

“It was a lot different for the cup game and we were able to win that quite easily.”

He added: “Ebbw lost a few players in the summer and it’s always going to be tough when that happens, and a bad start to the season doesn’t help either.

“It’s not a huge surprise that they are where they are in the table, but I feel they have enough about them to stay up.

“And it will be a totally different challenge this weekend compared to the last time we played them.

“Their results have picked up since then, and even the losses they’ve had, there’s been nothing in those games.

“They’ve shown how much character they’ve got in the squad to pick up like they have, and it will be a very difficult game for us.

“We’re top of the league, which is where everyone wants to be, but if you’re only a little bit off and the other team are hitting their straps then you can lose to anyone in this league.

“Going to Ebbw Vale is just as tough as going to Aberavon or Merthyr, but we are in a good place and it’s in our hands.”

Law is now into his third season as Cardiff head coach following his departure from Bedwas.

Despite switching clubs, Bridge Field is a place that still means a lot to him.

“I go back there quite a lot and I’m able to watch Bedwas fairly regularly,” he said.

“I’ve got a great affinity with the club and the people there. It’s tough trying to bounce back from being relegated, but they’ve done alright so far.

“They’ve put some really good performances together.

“I was at the recent Pontypool game and Bedwas went right to the last minute.

“They’ve acquitted themselves well, and that shows the character the club has.”

While Ebbw host Cardiff, relegation rivals Bridgend are home to Llanelli.

Meanwhile, Newport’s home game against Llandovery, scheduled for Sunday, was called off earlier this week after a decision taken by the Rodney Parade management.