Should the Ravens fail to beat Pontypridd today without two losing bonus points then they will be relegated into the Championship. In reality, a win is essential. Silva’s side are currently 13th in the Principality Premiership table and are in a race for survival with Bedwas and Llanelli.
“The bottom line is we need to win and we’re going to Pontypridd to win,” said Silva.
“There is the off chance that two points can get us into a play-off against Pontypool, but ideally we need the boys to go there and get the win. There’s been no negativity within the camp this week and the boys know it is the last roll of the dice for us.
“We aren’t out of it yet and our future is still in our hands. If we lose, we’re down.
“Pontypridd rested a lot of front-line players against Cross Keys in midweek so that they can field their strongest team on Saturday. We’re expecting one hell of a challenge.
“We’ve played well against Pontypridd in the last two games and there have been 700 odd points scored in each game. They’ve been close affairs.
“It’s on a 3G pitch and we’ve got to go there and play good rugby. We’re expecting Pontypridd to try and dump us out of the Premiership.”
Bridgend have been ever present in the top-flight of Welsh rugby and have produced numerous Wales and British & Irish Lions stars such as JPR Williams, JJ Williams, Gareth Thomas, Dafydd James and Rhys Webb.
Silva insists it’s imperative for the Bridgend area and the Ospreys region that his Ravens side avoid relegation by emerging victorious at Sardis Road.
He said: “It’s one of the biggest games in our history and it’s been a very intense week in training. Everything is geared towards getting the win at Sardis Road.
“It’s important to stay in the Premiership for lots of different reasons. It’s the pinnacle for a lot of players in the borough and they strive to play for Bridgend.
“We’re the only semi-professional club in the area and your next club is Aberavon. With a lot of guys from Bridgend and the local area like Kenfig Hill, Maesteg and Pyle in our side the Premiership is the pinnacle of their rugby lives and it’s something for them to aspire to.
“It’s also important from an Ospreys perspective because we’re part of the pathway for semi-professional players.”
Elsewhere, Cardiff will be looking to end their season on a high as they travel to relegated Bargoed while Llandovery will be hopeful of capping off a memorable season at Church Bank against Aberavon.
Principality Premiership fixtures – Saturday May 11
Bargoed v Cardiff (2.30pm)
Llandovery v Aberavon (2.30pm)
Pontypridd v Bridgend (2.30pm)
