UNBEATEN Ebbw Vale face their biggest test of the embryonic Premiership Cup campaign when they entertain Cardiff tomorrow.

The Steelmen stunned Merthyr on their own patch on opening weekend and then made it a double with victory against Pontypridd at Eugene Cross Park.

Ebbw led a tight encounter 9-6 thanks to the boot of fly-half Lewis K Williams before centre Dom Franchi scored the only try of the game.

They will need to be at their best to make it a hat-trick of successes in the eastern conference against a Cardiff team smarting from a late loss in Newport.

The Blue and Blacks were edged out 23-20 at Rodney Parade and will be keen to show why most have them as favourites for this competition and the Premiership.

"It's a huge challenge coming our way in the shape of Cardiff RFC," said Ebbw head coach Greg Woods.

"They have the most resources at their disposal but we will be certainly going all out and preparing well. The players are certainly looking forward to the challenge this weekend."

Ebbw took the spoils against Ponty despite a yellow card in each half for centre Ethan Phillips and back rower Alex Grey.

"It was always going to be a tough encounter versus a proud club like Pontypridd," said Woods. "I felt we controlled possession and territory well and showed some nice glimpses of the attacking game that we want to impose on sides this year.

"Areas to work on is obviously cutting out the two yellow cards, although I thought we managed those 10 minutes periods superbly a man down, and also being more ruthless with scoring opportunities because we felt we left a few out there."

Newport responded superbly to their opening weekend disappointment at Sardis Road to stun their fierce rivals Cardiff.

The Black and Ambers had a sizeable list of absentees but took the spoils with young talent impressing.

Fly-half Will Reed kicked them to victory and try-scoring wing Oli Andrew was named man of the match, with the duo playing alongside their Dragons academy coach Matt O'Brien.

Boss Ty Morris had called for a reaction after the loss to Ponty and got it, with the Black and Ambers battling to protect their line at the death to secure the spoils.

Newport make the long trip to Colwyn Bay this weekend to face an RGC side who have been grouped with the five clubs from the east in this tournament.

Former Black and Ambers prop Ceri Jones, who followed in the footsteps of his father Lyn to play for the club, is now in charge up north.

RGC suffered a 60-3 drubbing at Cardiff on opening weekend and were beaten 37-29 by Merthyr at the Wern last weekend, although they did get a four-try bonus to get up and running.

It's the same again in the Championship Cup for Cross Keys and Bedwas, who clash for the second Saturday running at Pandy Park.

The duo drop down to the plate competition and will also go up against Tata Steel, Cardiff Met, Trebanos and Ystalyfera with four rounds of games before the league campaign gets up and running, then three more in January, March and April.

However, first up is a repeat of last weekend's game at Pandy Park when Keys celebrated Tom Lampard's 400th game with a late 21-17 victory, Curtis Povey scoring his second try deep into added time.

Bargoed claimed top spot in the three-team Gwent group with a perfect record.

The Bulls start the main cup competition with a home game against Ystrad Rhondda. Maesteg Quins, Glamorgan Wanderers, Narberth and Neath are their other rivals.