NEWPORT will attempt to strike a telling blow in the race for second place when they travel to rivals Cardiff in the Thomas Carroll South Wales Premier Cricket League.

The men from Spytty Park currently have a one-point advantage over tomorrow's hosts and trail runaway leaders Bridgend by 37.

Last weekend they enjoyed a 22-run win at struggling St Fagans, successfully defending a total of 198 for a 20-point haul to leapfrog Cardiff, who earned 18 at Neath.

Former Newport batsman Jeremy Lawlor (67) looked to have given the bottom club a chance against his old side when he joined forces with Jamie Sylvester (47) to take the score to 137 for four.

But when they fell St Fagans collapsed with 20-year-old Bermudan all-rounder Kamau Leverock wrapping things up with a hat-trick.

"Things got a bit tight but I would have been disappointed if we didn't defend 198 on a poor wicket," said captain Michael Clayden.

"We batted well with Matthew Norris making a superb 70 and then we bowled well up top before letting them in a bit in the middle when a top-quality spinner would have helped.

"But Kamau finished it off well and he is a really good prospect – I will be amazed if nobody gives him a chance in the next few years."

Newport triumphed by four wickets against Cardiff earlier this summer, Imran Hassan (76) and Clayden (55) making the most telling contributions when helping chase down 245.

But champions Cardiff have been in strong form since that May encounter with their only bad result coming against Bridgend.

"It's always a big game against fierce rivals," said Clayden. "They are always good games and it was a cracker earlier this year when we won in the last over.

"Bridgend look like they are going to win the title but we have still got to play them and we need to keep the pressure on them and make sure that we are in position if they slip up.

"But our main aim at the start of the season was to stay out of trouble and we have got seven wins and everyone is enjoying their cricket."

Bridgend will take another big step towards the title if they beat second-from-bottom Mumbles at Newbridge Fields.

Bottom club St Fagans head to Ynysygerwen, Ammanford host Port Talbot and Pontarddulais take on Neath at the Gnoll.

PACE-SETTING Panteg will attempt to continue their remarkable revival when they travel to Aberdare in Premier Division Two.

A comprehensive 110-run win against Tata Steel last weekend combined with Swansea's three-wicket loss to Ynystawe means that the Gwent side are in top spot.

Few would have expected that after a stuttering start to the season but Panteg, with a slender nine-point lead, are now in a position to push for a return to the top flight with give games remaining.

They have not lost since being downed at Tata Steel at the end of May – taking 177 points from nine fixtures (an average of 19.7) – and captain Ian Bird pinpointed a three-wicket success at St Helens on July 18 as a pivotal moment in the title battle.

"It's down to a good result at Swansea in a crunch fixture," he said. "They could have had all the momentum but now it has gone the other way.

"We got 22 points last weekend while they lost a game that you would have thought they would win.

"At the start of the year we felt we might have missed our chance but have dragged it back. We are in good shape but know that we have to keep doing what we have been doing."

Swansea travel to Carmarthen Wanderers, Miskin Manor host Penarth, Pentyrch head to Tondu and Tata Steel welcome Ynystawe.

IT'S tight at the top of Division One of the Glamorgan and Monmouthshire League with leaders Blackwood holding a slender advantage over Abergavenny.

A key fixture looms between the pair at Avenue Road on August 15 and neither side will want to slip before that potential humdinger.

Blackwood travel to Croesyceiliog tomorrow before attempting to triumph against Cardiff at Highfields in the last eight of the Welsh Cup on Sunday.

The pacesetters are ruing a surprise loss against struggling Radyr a fortnight ago that has given Abergavenny a real sniff and the side in second will have to be on-song when they travel to Usk.

Third-placed Chepstow are chasing keenly and travel to one-from-bottom Radyr while Newbridge, in fourth, aim to avoid becoming basement outfit Malpas' first victims. Sudbrook will attempt to stay out of trouble by winning at Pontypridd.

There is a big game in Division Two with Newport Fugitives, who sit third, travelling to leaders Lisvane.