THREEQUARTERS Neil McKim and Robert Morgan each scored two tries as Abertillery pulled off a crucial 44-25 victory to give themselves a realistic chance of avoiding the dreaded drop into the Welsh Second Division.

Abertillery's "great escape" hopes were boosted as they clocked up six tries.

Now Blackwood must win or draw at Llanharan on Saturday or score five tries in defeat (the latter extremely unlikely) to send Abertillery down instead of themselves.

Abertillery can take great pride from this battling display which means they have won seven and drawn one of their last ten league fixtures after looking odds on favourites to be relegated with Abercynon just a few months ago.

That revival in fortunes can be traced to the arrival at Abertillery Park of new coach Les Edwards who, with his back room team, have engendered renewed purpose, spirit and belief in the side. These qualities were on display for all to see in the gritty exchanges against Newbridge.

Acting captain and prop Andrew Oliver and his men looked well in control leading 23-3 after 35 minutes. Centre Morgan, wing Dan Morris and strong flanker Gareth Howells had all crossed the line while fly half Ross Watts had kicked two penalties and a conversion.

Then the wheels seemed to come off the wagon as Newbridge fly half Jason Williams added two further tries to his tenth minute opening effort before lateradding another three penalties to claw back Abertillery's lead to 23-18 midway through the second half.

But Abertillery, with their impressive forwards pouncing hungrily on any loose ball, staged a superb finale.

Wing McKim grabbed a great length of the field solo try in the 68th minute and then rounded off a slick passing move nine minutes later. Watts converted both as he also did when Morgan grabbed a late second try.

Newbridge had the last word when replacement flanker Craig Clements crossed for a consolation try which Williams converted.

Risca will start as undergogs when they face Tredegar in the Worthington Ben Francis Cup final at Glan-yr-Afan Park, Blackwood, tonight (7.30pm). Tredegar are from the Welsh National League Second Division and Risca from Division Three East.

In the semi-finals Tredegar beat Abergavenny 39-6 while Risca recorded a 17-11 victory over Talywain. Risca were the first winners of the cup 75 years ago, defeating Ynysddu in the final. Their last success was in 1986.

But they will be without half a dozen regulars tonight through injury and face a hard task.