HAVING finished third two years ago and second by just a point last season, Newbridge captain James Morgan is hoping his men can go one better in 2018.

Morgan, now into his 10th campaign as captain at the Welfare Ground, says promotion to the South Wales Premier League is firmly in Newbridge’s sights once again.

And it is so far so good for Morgan and his charges with only one defeat in nine games leaving them second in the South East Wales League Division One table.

They sit 13 points behind unbeaten leaders Miskin Manor, who suffered relegation in 2017, and 26 ahead of third-placed Sudbrook.

Everything is set-up nicely for tomorrow’s top-of-the-table clash at Glyn Park near Llantrisant as Newbridge look to move into pole position with a dozen fixtures remaining.

Newbridge head to Miskin on the back of a resounding nine-wicket thrashing of Usk last Saturday, a win which owed a lot to Ryan Watkins’ stunning bowling figures of 5-11.

Having bowled out their visitors for 119, the captain and fellow opener Travis Morgan put on 105 for the first Newbridge wicket before victory was sealed shortly after.

Looking ahead to tomorrow’s showdown, Morgan said: “It’s a top-of-the-table clash, it’s a big game, and we’re all looking forward to it.

“Things are going well for us so far this season, we’ve only lost one rain-affected game and had one match called off because of the wet weather.

“We were so close to winning the title last season and promotion is our intention again this summer.

“We have a lot of boys who play rugby and football and tend not to have them available at the start and end of the season.

“Fingers crossed we can keep hold of them for as many games as possible this year to give ourselves the best chance of winning the league.”

Asked if he could put his finger on why Newbridge haven’t quite been able to claim top spot in recent seasons, Morgan added: “We’ve lacked a bit of experience over the last couple of seasons and it has been a big learning curve for them stepping up.

“But the young guys seem to have enjoyed the experience and learnt from it, and they are another year older now so they are more used to it.”

Elsewhere tomorrow, Sudbrook go to Usk, Chepstow host Croesyceiliog and Abergavenny entertain Pentyrch.

In Division One of the Premier League, leaders Newport will be heavy favourites to beat struggling Mumbles at Spytty Park, while second-placed St Fagans visit third-placed Neath.

Malpas, Newport Fugitives and Panteg have home matches in Division Two, and all the three would welcome a win to move clear of the foot of the table.

Frontrunners Ynystawe take on Panteg, third-placed Clydach visit the Fugies and Carmarthen Wanderers, who sit fourth, face Malpas.