PONTYPOOL and Ebbw Vale lock horns in a crunch Welsh League Premier Division battle at Pontypool Park tomorrow night (kick-off 7.15pm) with survival at stake.

The clubs are separated by three points at the bottom of the table, with Vale in the basement position and Pooler last but two.

And Pontypool team manager Tony Clarke is only too aware of the consequences for his side, Vale or Newbridge, who occupy the bottom-but-one slot, being relegated this year.

Clarke said: "This is probably one of the biggest games we have had for a long time because whoever loses their Premiership place may be faced with never coming back.

"We have been told that one club will be going down so we have to keep clear of 16th place."

And Pooler will be looking for their support to help carry them through in a game where the nerves are certain to be jangling.

Clarke added: "We had terrific support at Aberavon on Saturday (Pontypool lost 26-8) and that is important. It is easy to support a winning side but you need that backing when you are having a bad patch."

Pooler, who train tonight and tomorrow, will announce their squad after the second session.

Ebbw Vale went down 35-12 against high-flying Neath at home on Saturday and, despite returning to the club where he is record try scorer, wing Lenny Woodard knows how vital points are now with such consequences looming.

Woodard said: "If we want Gwent rugby to be strong, each of these teams has to stay in the Premiership. I hope the fans turn out from both sides for this match.

"I missed the fixture at Pontypool when I was with Aberavon earlier in the season because I was on duty with theWales Rugby League side so this is a second chance for me to play there and I'm really looking forward to it."