NEWBRIDGE coaches Jonathan Westwood and Mike Watkins have committed themselves to the club for another season - and virtually all the players to.

The pair did receive offers from elsewhere, but Westwood said: " Nothing else other than remaining at Newbridge crossed our minds really. Things have gone extremely well this season and we are keen to see the job though.

"Basically, as soon as Mike and myself put pen to paper the players, 25 or 26 of them, signed en bloc. That shows the attitude in this club and it's that spirit which can spur us on to even better things next season.

"Our success, and we aim to finish in the top three or four despite the setback at Tondu, has resulted in quite a few players wanting to join us and that's always a good sign." The news is a huge boost for Newbridge, who have an easy-looking home task against Merthyr tomorrow.

Merthyr are heavily in debt with a host of unhappy players and crashed 88-5 at home to Pontypool last week.

"I'm not really concerned about Merthyr," said Westwood. "Whatever problems they have are for them to sort out.

"We want to finish the season well regardless of the opposition."

Newbridge will name their side just before kick-off but long-term injury victims Anthony Edwards and Leighton Davies are out, as are Andrew Oliver (hand injury) and Craig Blunsdon (virus), while John Ford is doubtful with a calf problem.