Meanwhile, Ebbw Vale are looking to retain their title and would love the chance to claim another big scalp at Eugene Cross Park in round three. They were superb on Saturday and played with guts, determination and pride in their jersey. When they carried the ball they did so with purpose and when they went into contact they looked after possession. Their pack did a sterling job while half-backs Gareth James and Dorian Jones controlled matters nicely, the latter easily winning the kicking battle.

There is a core of experience throughout the Ebbw line-up with a strong spine of hooker Mathew Williams, locks Damien Hudd and Ashley Sweet, back-rower Nicky Coughlin and centre Tristan Davies. They all played their part while Newport’s senior players simply didn’t perform. A big factor throughout the Black and Ambers’ woeful campaign has been the inability to get large numbers at training on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The LV= Cup meant that Dragons call-ups disrupted them last week. It’s a worthy excuse but one that cannot mask some pretty serious shortcomings.

Sure, Ebbw Vale have grown as a team through continuity of selection and working together on the training paddock, but Newport seemed to lack desire and hunger. They went into contact as individuals, failed to finish off tackles, were beaten at the set piece and were a step behind from 1 to 15. Ebbw Vale were willing to fight for everything. The Steelmen led 11-6 at the break and they were good value for that advantage against their rudderless hosts.

Fly-half Dorian Jones booted the visitors into a fourth-minute lead and a raft of Newport mistakes – notably at a very shaky lineout – only served to increase the belief in the Vale ranks. Vale were not trying anything flash but they were also safe in the knowledge that they could handle what was thrown at them. The Steelmen just booted the ball long, saying ‘come on, then’ to Newport and in particular their former fly-half Gareth Bowen, who is minimal threat with ball in hand yet started at full-back.

Ebbw Vale were scenting blood and on 22 minutes turned down a very kickable shot at goal to go for the corner, a decision that was rewarded when prop Ross Jones was driven over from the lineout. Like a dog looking like their owner, it was a drive that a couple of years ago would have stemmed from a lineout take by their head coach Neil Edwards. Newport got on the scoreboard with a pair of Bowen penalties either side of another Jones three-pointer and the hosts were undoubtedly happy to be within a score as the teams headed to the changing-rooms after being outplayed.

Bowen and young fly-half Niall Martin switched positions at the break but there was no change in fortunes for the Black and Ambers. Just a minute had gone when yet more sloppy ball protection saw the ball find its way to impressive flanker Ronny Kynes, who put wing Wes Cunliffe clear. Jones added extras and was again on target with a 49th-minute penalty – at 21-6 the Vale addicts on the terrace were starting to believe a cup upset was imminent. And they didn’t have to wait long until their side struck another blow with superb interlinking releasing James down the right.

A neat converted try by Elliot Frewen after good hands by Scott Williams and Martin gave Newport hope but a familiar problem was to blight their late push. The raucous singing of Depeche Mode’s Just Can’t Get Enough was booming out of the away changing-room afterwards. This season the Newport faithful have just about had enough.

The Ebbw Vale potter cruised into a 4-0 early lead in no time during the match, which was definitely a big blow to the Scottish professional player. The 36-year-old Williams smashed some stunning knocks of 57, 72, 64 and 53 to nudge his opponent down by four frames. However, it is not Maguire’s style to accept the defeat so easily. His performance always shines under pressure and the same happened in the match after he was 4-0 down. He sprang back into the game brilliantly and upset the Welshman grabbing four frame wins to finally reach at 5-4. Williams was caught at the brink of his win.

The Welsh wonder held his nerves and came back into the game. He clinched the final frame quickly to claim victory over Maguire. Williams was relieved after winning the match.Speaking to local media at the conclusion of his match, he said, “I should have won 6-2, I had a couple of glorious chances, but after that I knew it be tough. I was probably the better player tonight throughout but Stephen was favourite to beat me once he made it 5-4. I like the new venue and if the crowds keep turning up it will be a great week.” The former World Snooker Champion will be heading into the quarter-final stage where he might face Neil Robertson or Mark Allen.

The Wales Schoolboys side are the premier team at their age group in the country, playing tests against England and setting the players off on their representative journey in Rugby League.

Players that have progressed to Super League clubs after playing for Wales Schoolboys include Gil Dudson, Ben Flower, Jamie Murphy and more recently Olly Olds who is on Leeds Rhinos' books, and Rhodri Lloyd, who has recently signed for Wigan Warriors.

This trial also gives players the opportunity to gain a place in the Wales Rugby League scholarship programme that is benefiting from support from the Wigan club.

Dan Clements, Wales Rugby League's Head of Performance, said: "The Wales Schoolboys are an important step for our players as it gives them an opportunity to test themselves against the best in their age group across the UK and it has been the launch pad for many a career in Rugby League with Wales.

"Last year was a good year internationally, which saw us push England all the way in two test matches and those players are now moving up the player pathway which has already seen some sign their first professional contracts."

Go to www.walesrugbyleague.co.uk to download an application form for the trial which must be submitted to Wales Rugby League by Thursday 19th January in order to participate.

WPBSA chairman Jason Ferguson wrote to snooker's top players in July 2011, warning members on social media sites. "Gotta watch my language," Williams explained on Twitter."Won't be swearing no more that's for sure. You just forget sometimes and think you are talking to one person."

The 36-year-old former world number one from Blaenau Gwent became the first left-hander to win a World Championship in 2000 and is fifth on snooker's all-time list for winning tournaments, securing 18 trophies.

Members do need to remember that they are at all times ambassadors for the sport said Jason Ferguson WPBSA chairman

Williams's most successful season was in 2002-03 when he won snooker's triple crown of the UK Championship, the Masters and 2003 World Championship. He dropped to 47th in snooker's provisional rankings in 2007 but returned to form and ended the 2011 season back at number one after winning the 2011 German Masters.Williams and all of snooker's top players were warned against using "offensive and inappropriate language" in a letter from WPBSA chairman Ferguson.

He wrote: "Members do need to remember that they are at all times ambassadors for the sport - and such have an obligation to maintain its profile and image within the public eye when using this media."Therefore we would ask all members when posting such messages or comments to first consider whether that message might be deemed to be offensive to others and to take into account that the content may also be viewed by young fans and children.

He will be facing the master of this format of the game and former nine-time premier league champion, England’s Ronnie O’Sullivan in the semi-final clash.

Four top guns of snooker, Ronnie O’Sullivan, Mark Williams, Ding Junhui and Judd Trump, will be at the baize on Saturday to battle for the final spot. Williams is ready to take on the Rocket, although he knows the strength of the English potter after seeing his performance in the league matches. The format of the event suits O’Sullivan’s playing style the most, which might a trouble for the Welsh Potting Machine.

Knowing his opponent’s strength will help the former two-time world champion to give the 35-year-old O’Sullivan a tough time. Williams has not been impressive in the current season so far, but the Ebbw Vale potter believes that he will have one of the best tournaments ever.

Speaking to local reporters about his plans for the event, Williams said, “I’m looking forward to it really; I haven’t got to the semis of the Premier League for a while and I hadn’t been in it for a while either. It’s one of the best tournaments to play in at the minute, one of the big ones.”

The Welshman further added, “We’ve all got to beat Ronnie; the whole set-up is perfect for his game and that’s why he has won it for so many years. He hasn’t got to rush around the table for 20 seconds every shot and that is the main reason he wins it year in, year out. In a big crowd it’s obviously a lot of better, with most of them on his side.”

Facing the top dog of premier league, O’Sullivan, will be a big task for Williams, especially when he is not in great form from the beginning of the season. Despite the crowd being on Rocket’s side, Williams has the potential to oust his rival and secure the final spot in the premier league