MATCH of the day in the Swalec Championship sees holders Ebbw Vale entertain last season’s runners-up Bargoed in a contest that could go a long way to foretell who will be champions in the forthcoming campaign, writes Iwan Gabe Davies.

Both sides were impressive last weekend, Vale beating RGC 1404 in Colwyn Bay 31-16 while this afternoon’s visitors despatched Newbridge 21-0 at Bargoed Park.

The Steelmen’s head coach Jason Strange was delighted with their performance seven days ago but calls on his side to be more ruthless today.

“Against RGC we were very pleased that we created so many chances, but the players have identified the need to be more clinical in our finishing, and we've focused on that in training this week,” he said.

Vale have also signed two more players in ex-Newport, Newbridge and Blackwood wing/centre David James and former Cardiff Blues academy full-back Tom McAloon, 19.

Pontypool look to make it two from two after an excellent 41-21 bonus point victory away against Beddau last week when they entertain Bridgend Athletic.

Newbridge and Blackwood look to get back to winning ways after opening day defeats when they host Tata Steel and Llanharan respectively.