NEWPORT start the second half of their South Wales Premier League fixtures tomorrow chasing a fourth straight win and a double over Division One rivals Cardiff.

They may be seventh in the table after nine games, but reigning champions Newport have really found their groove in recent weeks thanks to three successive victories.

The Spytty Park side are 37 points adrift of leaders St Fagans, one of five teams they have lost to since beating Cardiff on the opening weekend of the season.

But if they can keep their current winning streak going – and, of course, get a little bit of luck with the weather – then that margin will only get smaller as the weeks go by.

Their latest win away to Bridgend owed much to the batting prowess of Callum Taylor, whose unbeaten 130 paved the way for a total of 275-5.

Imran Hassan’s 62 and 33 from Mark Wallace also helped the visitors post a score that proved too much for Bridgend to overhaul.

Cardiff, the champions in 2017, welcome Newport to the capital tomorrow on the back of a 60-run defeat of Port Talbot.

Like Newport, Cardiff are also on a good run, with five victories in their last six outings – the one game in that sequence they didn’t win was abandoned.

You have to go back to May 18 for the last time Cardiff were beaten, a three-wicket loss to Clydach, which at the time was their third setback on the spin.

Three places and 21 points separate the two rivals going into tomorrow’s clash at Forest Farm.

At the top, St Fagans, away to Mumbles, are just three points clear of Pontarddulais, who entertain Port Talbot.

Bottom club Bridgend go to Clydach, the side immediately above them in the standings, while Neath go to Ammanford.

Second hosts first in Division Two as leaders Swansea travel to Penarth hoping to increase their advantage at the summit.

But as far as Gwent cricket fans are concerned, it’s all about the battle at the wrong end of the division.

Panteg, Newport Fugitives, Newbridge and Malpas are still locked in a four-way fight to avoid the drop.

Last weekend’s derby saw Panteg emerge victorious against the Fugitives, while Malpas and Newbridge were beaten by Swansea and Penarth respectively.

The Fugitives are involved in another all-Gwent showdown tomorrow when they make the short journey to Newbridge.

Malpas and Panteg both have home advantage for clashes with Gorseinon and Ynystawe respectively.

Gaps in the Gwent quartet’s points totals are opening up – seventh-placed Malpas are 43 points clear of rock bottom Panteg.

In South East Wales League Division One, Chepstow’s march towards the title continues following a fifth straight success, the most recent coming against Pentyrch.

It’s Cardiff Gymkhana away for Chepstow tomorrow, while second-placed Usk host Pentyrch.

Title contenders Sudbrook and Abergavenny will be favourites to get the job done at Brecon and Croesyceiliog.

Meanwhile, Monmouth are at Miskin Manor and Blackwood are likely to have too much for struggling Pontypridd.