BOTH Newport and Panteg will attempt to get back on the horse after disappointments in the Thomas Carroll South Wales Premier League.

The Spytty Park side were leapfrogged by fierce fivals Cardiff in Premier Division One after a 98-run loss at the Diamond Ground.

The champions posted 236 and easily defended that total with only in-form Kamau Leverock (51) and captain Michael Clayden (34 not out) showing any real resistance as the visitors were dismissed for 138.

Nonetheless, it has been an encouraging season for Newport and they will want to show their progress with a strong finish to the campaign, starting when they host Ynysygerwn tomorrow afternoon.

"We will take what we have had so far this season but last week was a disappointment considering we are battling them for runners-up spot," said coach Mike Knight.

"Parts of our game let us down – we just weren't consistent as a batting or bowling unit and we lacked discipline.

"But we are a young team and they are learning all the time. They have learnt to play when we are doing well but they haven't been in many backs-to-the-wall situations so they will be better for the experience.

"The key thing now is to finish the season strongly because we don't want to let it slip after having such a good year.

"I know that Michael is keen to maintain high standards and will ensure that we keep good habits rather than going through the motions."

Newport enjoyed a comfortable seven-wicket victory when the sides met out west in June thanks to Clayden's four for 35 and good knocks by Imran Hassan (97) and Matthew Norris (62).

PANTEG are still leading Premier Division Two but their lead over Swansea is down to two points after a rare off day at struggling Aberdare.

They took 10 points from a losing draw, left to rue Luke Garthwaite's unbeaten century in the hosts' 201 before they failed to build on a promising start to end on 200-8.

With Swansea bagging a 17-point haul at Carmarthen Wanderers, Panteg have little margin for error when they host Tondu, who they edged out by a wicket in a tense meeting in June.

"It was a disappointing finish to the game against Aberdare after we were in the driving seat when they were 35 for five," said captain Ian Bird.

"I have been the first to heap praise on our bowling unit over the last six or seven weeks but after starting well we just didn't bowl well enough.

"For them to get 201 was disappointing and we couldn't quite get over the line despite being in a good positon at 96 for two.

"It's a bit of a wake-up call for us and was frustrating but it's not the end of the world and we are still top and ready to have a good go at Tondu."

Swansea make the short trip to bottom club Tata Steel, Pentyrch host Miskin Manor, Aberdare travel to Ynystawe and Penarth entertain Carmarthen Wanderers.

THINGS have bunched up at the top of Division One of the Glamorgan and Monmouthshire League with leaders Abergavenny holding a slender advantage over Blackwood, Newbridge and Chepstow.

The leaders lost a thriller to Usk last weekend while Blackwood were beaten by Croesyceiliog, enabling Newbridge and Chepstow to close the gap with successes against Malpas and Radyr respectively.

It was a weekend to give credence to the old adage of 'anybody can beat anybody in this league' and Abergavenny will need to be on their game tomorrow afternoon when they travel to Sudbrook, who they beat by six wickets in May..

Blackwood were given a bit of a tonking by Croesy, who eased past a target of 246 inside 36 overs for the loss of three wickets with Alex Barry smashing a 73-ball 98.

The second-placed team didn't have long to lick their wounds and emerged with great credit from a Sunday Welsh Cup quarter-final defeat to Cardiff at Highfields.

The Premier League champions were pushed hard with Dan Wilkinson smashing a hundred in a total of 234 for six off Blackwood's 40 overs, a target that Cardiff surpassed with two overs and four wickets left.

Blackwood host Pontypridd on their return to league cricket with the aim of repeating the five-wicket success that bagged 19 points when the sides met earlier this year.

Newbridge thrashed struggling Malpas last weekend but should find things a little more testing when they host Croesyceiliog, who they beat by four wickets in May.

Croesy can force their way into the title tussle if they follow up their excellent win against Blackwood.

Chepstow's win in a low-scoring clash at Radyr made it three on the spin after successes against Usk and Newbridge.

They should make it four against Malpas while Usk will look to make it a double against Radyr, who they beat by three wickets in May.

Usk travel to the outskirts of Cardiff in fine spirits after qualifying for the T20 finals day by topping a group that featured Rogerstone and Sudbrook.

They will be joined at finals day on Saturday, September 12 by fellow group winners Croesyceiliog and Pontymister while Rogerstone sneaked in as the runners-up with the best net run rate.

CROESYCEILIOG and Pontymister will battle for the Macey Shield in the final at Monmouth on Sunday.

The T20 clash starts at 3pm with the hosts opening the bar from 1.30pm with a barbecue and raffle to raise money for CLIC Sargent.