A COMPLETELY revamped South Wales cricket season gets under way this weekend with Newport flying the flag for Gwent in the new South Wales Premier League One.

The South Wales Premier League has now been split in two with Gwent also represented in the somewhat experimental League Two with promotion to the top tier the priority for all ten sides.

However, with the geographical borders in SWP League Two now stretching west of Swansea, Panteg will have to do plenty of travelling in what could be a gruelling campaign.

Panteg were the only Gwent side to show a willingness to join the revamped division and that situation is borne out by the fact that an incredible eight of the ten teams in the top tier of the Glamorgan and Monmouthshire Cricket League are from Gwent.

Abergavenny, Blackwood, Chepstow, Croesyceiliog, Malpas, Newbridge, Sudbrook and Usk are all looking to come out as top dogs, with the top two in the division promoted to SWP League Two, if they opt to join next term.

Newport Fugitives, Pontymister and Rogerstone Welfare will fly the flag for Gwent in Division Two while Ebbw Vale, Machen and Monmouth will compete in Division Three.

The issue of the SWP League Two has been somewhat controversial. Though a majority of Glamorgan and Monmouthshire League clubs turned down the idea, it was still introduced.

The quality of SWP League Two will be tough to gauge, considering for example that Penarth only finished sixth last season in Glamorgan and Monmouthshire Division One. Miskin Manor, though champions last term, weren’t even a Division One side and won the second tier, yet have effectively been awarded a double promotion.

That situation has come about due to sides like Chepstow and Usk opting out, due to concerns over the amount of travelling throughout the season and gives the South Wales cricket scene an air of mystery as to whether the new set-up will prove successful.

After flirting with potential relegation for much of last season, Newport will be hoping they can show more consistency this term.

They waited nearly the entire campaign last time around before finding winning ways, completing a Great Escape from relegation that was so impressive it might even have put a smile on Nigel Pearson’s face.

Newport get their campaign under way with the home comforts of Rodney Parade as they entertain Port Talbot.

And skipper Michael Clayden will be forgiven if he’s especially keen to win the toss, because Newport’s batting line-up appears to be in rude health.

Three of Newport’s batsman have already struck centuries in what has proved a fruitful pre-season.

Captain Clayden has already been in the runs, he scored a superb 117 in 104 balls for Wales Minor Counties as they romped to a victory over Wiltshire in a contest staged at Rodney Parade. Clayden’s knock included 15 fours.

However, Clayden only became the third batsman to achieve triple figures.

Matt Jones notched an impressive 105 with 16 fours as Newport enjoyed a 29 run victory over the Wales U17 side.

And the previous week, Tom Josham scored a splendid and unbeaten 135 to guide Newport to a three wicket victory against Blackwood, hitting five sixes and 17 fours along the way.

Panteg being the new campaign with a sign of things to come, a lengthy away day visit to Ynystawe.

However, Panteg skipper Ian Bird has made clear the club found joining the second tier of the SWP an easy decision to make.

“Ultimately, we want to be playing in the top division or league that we possibly can and the only way to get to the Premier One is by getting promoted from Premier Two,” he said.

“Obviously we are sad to be leaving behind some of our rivals from Gwent, but it is an exciting new challenge

“We won’t get to go to some familiar places, but we look forward to travelling to some new grounds we haven’t played at before.

“We want to test ourselves as high as we can, so we are aiming on finishing in the top two. Whether we can achieve that, we will have to wait and see.”

Panteg will be boosted this term by the return to the club of John Glover, the Glamorgan fast bowler who retired last season aged 25 to pursue other employment opportunities after injury troubles.

“John has had his operation now and returns to where it started for him and he should be a key player for us,” Bird explained.

And the Panteg skipper has also picked out another of his charges for a big campaign.

“Callum Reid is one we have high hopes for,” he said of the 20-year old who has become a regular fixture for the Wales Minor Counties XI.

“Callum and John would be two to watch out for this season.”