NEWBRIDGE aim to put a horrendous injury list and a disappointing defeat at Blackwood last week behind them and bounce back with victory at Bedwas tomorrow (2.30pm).
But after their much improved display at home to Pontypool, Bedwas too are hoping to win and see out a highly-promising season with a bang.
"We have a score to settle with Newbridge," said Bedwas coach Steve Law. "Our defeat at the Welfare Ground (40-0 ) was probably our worst of the season. We really let ourselves down.
"So we shouldn't need any motivation to play with real passion and spirit. "Despite our defeat, we were happy with our performance against Pontypool. We didn't take our first half opportunities. If we had we could have taken the game the whole eighty minutes.
"But that's been the story of our season against the bigger clubs. "If Newbridge win on Saturday they will have earned it."
Newbridge's list of players unavailable contains a large number of quality stars. They include Jonathan Williams, Huw Lock, Shane Webley, John Bowd, Matthew Griffin, Anthony Edwards and long-term victims Lee Mruk and Steve Llewellyn.
In addition both hookers, Darryl Williams and Leighton Davies, are injured, with Newbridge having to borrow Wales Youth international Keiron Crawford from Ebbw Vale Under-21s.
And Geraint Gladwyn and Stuart Pennell are attending a wedding while props Andrew Oliver and Phil Taylor are nursing hamstring and ankle injuries respectively.
"It's a massive list," admitted coach Jonathan Westwood. "Over a long season you have to ride your luck with injuries but all ours have come at once.
"It's not ideal but we'll have 15 players on the field and we are going to Bedwas to win - end of story.
"I don't think we can move either way in the table now (Newbridge are fourth) but we will still go out to win our last two games.
"We were disappointed losing at Blackwood last week. They thoroughly deserved their success. But the referee spoilt what could have been a good game." Because of their injury problems Newbridge delay naming their side until just before kick off.
Bedwas make two changes from the starting line-up against Pontypool, Richard James replacing Mark Belinki on one wing and Huw Davies replacing brother Hywel in the back row.
Bedwas: P Phillips, R James, J Welch, A Harrison, M Pizey, P Williams, W Bray, J Tiley, P McGhee, M Wilson, R Edwards, R Hughes, Huw Davies, M Lewis, D Mattravers. Replacements: B Davies, L Tomlins, J Salter, I Phillips, Hywel Davies, M Lewis jnr, S Sankala.
*PICTURED: Newbridge prop Andrew Oliver (right) is out of the clash against Bedwas because of a hamstring injury.
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