"SAME again" is the message from Ebbw Vale coach Mike Ruddock to his forwards as the Steelmen travel to Bridgend tomorrow looking to avenge their September defeat.

Ruddock wants his Vale forwards to continue their good performances in previous weeks to help pave the way for a win for the Steelmen.

Ebbw were narrowly beaten by the Brewery Field outfit 18-17 on September 15 in a dual Celtic and Welsh/Scottish League clash and while Bridgend have not won since in the league, Vale are starting to grow in confidence.

Granted the Steelmen were humbled 45-6 by Lyn Jones' Neath side last Saturday, but a narrow defeat by Swansea, as well as a narrow defeat away to Montauban in the European Shield shows the side have quality in their ranks and a much needed win would boost the young side's confidence.

Ruddock said: "I was disappointed with the score last week (against Neath), but we played some good rugby, Neath took their chances.

"Bridgend haven't had a huge amount of wins especially considering the large amount of money they have spent, but they are full of big names.

"We will be looking to get our forwards on top up front and win a large amount of possession as they did against Neath."

Vale have only beaten Bridgend twice in the last seven games between the sides - and they haven't won at the Brewery Field in the last three seasons. Earlier this season Bridgend narrowly beat the Steelmen at Eugene Cross Park 18-17 - after the Ravens were 18 points up at the interval.

Tries from wing Neil McKim, centre David Weatherly and flanker Kati Tuipulotu got Vale back into the game but missed penalties and conversions from wing Gareth Cull cost Vale a win.

Injuries are starting to affect the balance of the side with the wings and half-backs in particular being affected.

For tomorrow's game at the Brewery Field (2:30pm), Vale will be missing scrum-half Gareth Betts who is out for the season after damaging his anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments and his understudy Kevin Ellis will be playing against his former club.

Fly-half Gareth Cull has been drafted in from the wing, but has impressed with his running.

With both regular wings Andrew Wagstaff and Neil McKim ruled out with nagging leg injuries their places go to Rhys Shorney and Aaron Takarangi.

But if Ebbw can grab a win it will come from their impressive forwards, particularly the huge line-out presence of Neil Edwards, Ockert Booyse and captain Chay Billen, who has moved to the flanks and will provide plenty of muscle in the back-row.

Ebbw Vale squad: M James, R Shorney, P Matthews, D Weatherley, A Takarangi, G Cull, K Ellis, D Penisini, L Phillips, M Jones, N Edwards, O Booyse, C Billen, P Williams, W Thomas, A Bevan, R Watts, R Mills, J Evans, K Tuipulotu, R Williams.

* In the picture: Vale fly-half Gareth Cull has impressed with his running.