NEWPORT hope to be toasting a first four-game winning streak in almost three years after the latest instalment of their famous derby with Cardiff, writes Chris Kirwan.

The Black and Ambers have made an encouraging start to the Principality Premiership and have not only matched last season's tally of five wins before November but are closing in on the try count from a campaign to forget.

They sit fourth in the table but an encouraging start will be transformed into a superb one if they can beat the Blue and Blacks at the Arms Park (kick-off 1.30pm).

Newport haven't enjoyed victory in the long-running rivalry since February 2012 but are boosted by the presence in the XV of four players who impressed in the Dragons' friendly encounter with Harlequins at the Stoop on Monday – wing Elliot Frewen, fly-half Arwel Robson, scrum-half Owen Davies and tighthead Alex Jeffries.

Ebbw Vale must produce their best display of the season if they are to avoid suffering a fourth successive defeat when they travel to champions Pontypridd (kick-off 2pm).

The Steelmen have had to settle for losing bonus points from their hat-trick losses with last week's home encounter with Carmarthen Quins particularly frustrating, the visitors triumphing thanks to a late interception try.

Ponty have lost just one this season – a last-gasp defeat at Cross Keys – and are hot favourites to repeat last season's grand final win against Ebbw at Sardis Road.

Cross Keys make an early start to travel west for an encounter with Carmarthen Quins (kick-off 12.30pm) and are looking to make it an excellent October.

They have beaten Bridgend, Ebbw and Ponty and taken three points from a draw with Aberavon to sit third in the table, not bad for a side used to playing catch-up in the second half of the campaign.

Keys feature Josh Skinner in the back row, another who did well for the Dragons at Quins, after the academy flanker helped Bedwas during an injury crisis in recent weeks.

Bedwas are looking for a response to a home disappointment against Llanelli when they take on Bridgend at the Brewery Field.

Steve Law's side have made an inconsistent start to the season and will be hoping for one of their good afternoons against the Ravens (kick-off 1pm).

Richard Powell is back to skipper the side from fly-half while centre Adam Williams and number eight Andrew Waite return to the club they left in the summer.

Newport (at Cardiff): E Howley, W Cunliffe, H Palmer, A King, E Frewen, A Robson, O Davies, J Lavender, H Palmer, A Jeffries, D Partridge, R Jones, B Lampitt, C Attwell, S Cross. Replacements: J Greenfield, E Whitson, T Piper, B Morgan, J Davies, A Bidgood, J Mogg, B Nightingale.

Cross Keys (at Carmarthen Q): E Davies, P Uhi, L Andrews (captain), P Williams, N Trowbridge, J Prosser, J Leadbeater, R Cornock, D Hughes, A Lott, S Andrews, T Lampard, J Skinner, S Matthews, A Powell. Replacements: E Shipp, G Carpenter, L Garrett, I Jones, N Williams, O Howe, O Leonard, S Williams.

Ebbw Vale (at Pontypridd: C Levesley, D Williams, D Franchi, A Jones, R Gardner, D Langdon, C Thomas, R Jones, M Williams, G Robinson, D Hudd (captain), A Sweet, L Crocker, R Kynes, H Keddie. Replacements: J Franchi, I George, L Bridges, R Clarke, E Doyle, T Edwards, I Smerdon, N Preece.

Bedwas (at Bridgend): K Clabby, R Budina, C Edwards, A Williams, M John, R Powell (captain), T Rowlands, B Toms, A Rees, M Pettit, G Williams, C Tucker, J Sawyer, G Lee, A Waite. Replacements: J Haines, AN Other, R Wilkes, R Blake, S Feehan, L Crane, M Callow, A Evans.