MATTHEW Norris and Imran Hassan starred with the bat when Newport cruised to a seven-wicket victory away to Ynysygerwn last season – and skipper Michael Clayden is confident his men can go back there tomorrow and put on a repeat performance.

Norris and Hassan put on 152 for the second wicket 12 months ago as Clayden’s men chased down the hosts’ 223-9 with nearly eight overs to spare.

The two sides ended up being separated by 35 points at the end of the 2015 campaign, with Newport third and their opponents fifth.

As it stands, the Spytty Park outfit are 18 points ahead of Ynysygerwn in Division One of the South Wales Premier League – positions stayed the same last weekend after a fixture washout.

That means Newport, sitting fourth, are still bidding to bounce back following their losing draw against Pontarddulais a fortnight ago.

Pontarddulais are the only side sixth-placed Ynysygerwn have beaten so far this term.

“It’s a game we should look to win, as we did last year,” said an upbeat Clayden. “They’ve got a couple of dangerous players but if we perform we should be close to coming out on top.

“After last week’s rain at Mumbles we are still looking to bounce back after Pontarddulais.

“We’ve got a young side and sometimes you can dwell on losses while you are quick to forget your victories.”

He added: “One end is really short at Ynysygerwn – 35 to 40 yards – and we have played there when their game plan has purely been targeting that straight boundary.

“It’s a proper away fixture for us because conditions are totally alien.

“Our record there is nigh on 50/50 and we will have to play some good cricket.”

Spinner Dean Cosker is expected to be available for Newport.

Meanwhile, it is first versus second in Division Two where leaders Ynystawe entertain Ian Bird’s Panteg, who are five points behind the Swansea side.

ABERGAVENNY captain Geraint Leach remains positive that his young squad will come good over the course of the season in South East Wales League Division One, despite them being without a win in their opening three matches.

Last weekend’s home game against Newbridge was cancelled because of the weather so Leach and his troops were unable to respond to their 139-run loss to Newport Fugitives seven days earlier.

They travel to Pontypridd tomorrow with the aim of hauling themselves away from the lower reaches of the table – they are level on points with Radyr at the foot of the standings.

“We have got a very young group of players compared to last year,” said Leach. “We’ve had a massive turnaround and lost some good players, but we have attracted some good youngsters.

“We had seven boys under the age of 20 playing in our first game of the season and three or four of them had never played at this level before.

“It’s a bit of a learning curve and we’re really trying to get them settled in.

“A few positive results will go a long way and I don’t think it should just be about survival this season, we can thrive.”

Experienced opening batsman Andrew Jones is available this weekend, as is 15-year-old bowler David Clarke, who has joined the club from Ebbw Vale along with brother Sam.

“David broke his hand three overs into the season when he tried to catch a ball that was hit back at him pretty hard,” added Leach. “But he has recovered quite quickly and is available to play.”

BLACKWOOD’S Andrew Clark misses his side’s Division One game at Newport Fugitives through suspension.

Clark received a two-game ban, one suspended, for using bad language on the field during the win over Radyr two weeks ago.

However, Gareth Berry returns to the fold so captain Richard Matthews is able to name a virtually full-strength team for tomorrow’s clash.

“The Fugitives have started well after being promoted,” said Matthews. “They won their first two games so you have to assume they will be pretty confident.

“They beat Pontypridd in a really tight game and then Abergavenny by 139 runs, and I don’t think Abergavenny saw that coming.

“But we are going to be really strong and I fancy our chances of getting a win on Saturday. I’m fully expecting us to get a good result.”

Elsewhere, league leaders Croesyceiliog go to Newbridge, Chepstow host Sudbrook, and Usk visit Radyr.