PREVIEW

IT may be early days in Division One of the Glamorgan and Monmouthshire League but a number of teams are already looking to signal their title intentions.

A fierce tussle looks to be in the offing in 2013 and three teams are sitting pretty with two wins from two.

Chepstow have made a fine start to the campaign and will aim to remain in the winning groove when they host Abergavenny tomorrow afternoon.

Jason Dobbie’s side opened up with a success against Pontypridd at Ynysangharad Park before enjoying a 63-run success against Rogerstone.

After an opening day loss to St Fagans, Abergavenny got their season up and running when they took the spoils with an accomplished display against Pontypridd last week.

The bowling unit all chipped in to bowl Ponty out for 198 and then Aber showed that there were no demons in the pitch by making it home for the loss of four wickets with captain and opener James Schofield top scoring with 73.

Usk, relegated from the Premier League last year, and Panteg will both fancy their chances of being in the mix at the top end of the table, which makes their clash tomorrow an intriguing one.

Panteg sneaked home against Blackwood last weekend after posting just 128.

Defeat looked on the cards when the visitors were 112-5 but they imploded, losing five wickets for eight runs to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.

“We got out of jail and it was great that we showed character to dig ourselves out of trouble,” said captain Ian Bird.

“It was a game that just went to show how tough this league is going to be this season – anybody can beat anybody.

“We couldn’t have asked for a better start and would like to think that we will be in the shake-up, but so will plenty of other sides and it’s early days.”

Usk found the going tough in the top flight last year but have made a solid start to life back in Division One and sit fourth.

An opening day win against Sudbrook was followed by a thrilling tie against Tondu last week.

It was a game that could be considered one that got away for Usk, who were unable to knock off the runs after a terrific bowling effort limited the Waterwheelers to just 121 at Bryn Road.

That none of the 22 batsmen were able to make it into the 30s gives an indication of testing early season conditions.

Blackwood aim to get over their defeat by Panteg when they host Roger-stone, who slipped to their second loss of the season at Chepstow.

Sudbrook captain Ross Lewis will look to lead from the front once again when he takes his side to early pacesetters St Fagans.

The skipper struck an unbeaten 114 to chase down a target of 214 against Penarth at the Deepweir.

Elsewher Penarth host Tondu and bottom club Pentyrch head up to Pontypridd.