NEWPORT will hope that the weather doesn't ruin a cracker when the top two clash at Spytty Park in the Thomas Carroll South Wales Premier League.

Leaders Bridgend head east with an eight-point advantage over Newport, who last week enjoyed a tremendous seven-wicket win at Ynysygerwn.

They have won their last four league encounters and if they can continue that form against Bridgend, provided the forecast for heavy rain is wrong, then they will really establish themselves as title contenders.

"It's an important game for us now after the start to the season that we have made," said captain Michael Clayden, whose side finished seventh last year.

"Where we are in the table hasn't taken us by surprise in that we knew that we have got some good players and are a good team but perhaps the way that we have been winning has been a bit of a surprise.

"Last week was a really positive batting display at Ynysygerwn but we will need to improve our bowling against Bridgend, who recruit well and are a very strong all-round side."

Elsewhere, third-placed Port Talbot welcome Pontarddulais to the New Mansel, Neath head to the Mumbles, Cardiff travel west to Ynysygerwn and St Fagans host Ammanford.

PANTEG have climbed to seventh in Division Two of the Premier League thanks to successive hard-fought wins against Aberdare and Tondu.

Last week's victory was a nervy affair despite bowling out their hosts for 139 and things looked grim at 111-8. However, Blaine Harris (42) and Chris Mee (21 not out) joined forces and Panteg sneaked home by a wicket.

Captain Ian Bird has demanded that the batsmen, himself included, start producing the goods.

"We haven't been playing well at all," he admitted. "We came into this season expected to be challengers but have been way off the pace.

"Our batting unit hasn't fired and that's usually our strength. So far this year no-one has really come to the party and that's not good enough but we haven't become bad players overnight.

"We've bowled and fielded well and have won our last two so hopefully we will improve our batting to fire as a team rather than sneaking over the line."

T

HE top two of the Glamorgan and Monmouthshire League clash at Avenue Road with Abergavenny attempting to inflict a first defeat on leaders Newbridge.

The Division one pace-setters made it a perfect six last weekend when they beat Pontypridd in an unexpectedly tense clash, chasing down 157 with one wicket left despite being 144-5 at one stage.

The Beavers have won four on the spin since losing to Croesyceiliog in week two, the latest success against Blackwood in another thriller.

It looked like the hosts would chase down a tough target of 253 when Kyle Tudge smashed a century but Nathan Byrne bowled the all-rounder and Abergavenny sneaked it, James Hrastelj the hero when getting the tenth wicket in the last over for a four-run win.

While the leading pair hope to beat the weather so that they can maintain winning streaks, Malpas aim to get up and running.

They are yet to enjoy victory this season but were agonisingly close at Radyr last weekend when their hosts chased down 200 with one wicket remaining.

Tomorrow Malpas are scheduled to head to fourth-placed Usk, who enjoyed a fine seven-wicket victory against Sudbrook last weekend thanks to James Aston's four wickets and Henry Lewis' 121 as they chased down 223.

Sudbrook attempt to bounce back against previous leaders Blackwood, whose loss to Abergavenny was the first disappointment of a fine start to the campaign.

Chepstow endured a sticky start to the season with losses to Newbridge and Usk following their opening day washout against Blackwood.

However, they have come firing back with four successive league wins and hope to keep that going when they head to Pontypridd.

Carwyn James is looking for a hat-trick of centuries after smashing successive 125s against Malpas and Croesyceiliog.