NEWPORT welcome Mumbles to Spytty Park today hoping their second experience of pink-ball cricket this season proves to be a lot more profitable than the first.

The reigning South Wales Premier League champions went into last Saturday’s game at Pontarddulais as the only unbeaten side in Division One.

But things went awry for Matt Norris and his charges at the Ffosyrefail Ground, with the visitors suffering a five-wicket defeat to Gary Arrowsmith’s men.

Newport had a day to forget with the bat as former Glamorgan star Mark Wallace failed to reach double figures for the fifth time in all competitions this term.

Imran Hassan, Callum Taylor and skipper Norris also fell for single-digit scores, while only a ninth-wicket partnership of 79 between Michael Clayden and Harry Powell saved Newport’s blushes.

In contrast, six of the seven Pontarddulais players who batted contributed more than 10, as the hosts crossed the finish line with more than 13 overs to spare.

Newport remain second in the table but last weekend’s opponents are now just one point behind them in third.

Some 21 points further adrift are Mumbles, who have only lost twice in 10 outings themselves.

Newport eased to victory in the reverse fixture at Marespool in early May when Wallace and Norris registered half-centuries.

Daniel Roberts and Gavin Williams responded with 50s for the Swansea side but four players were out for ducks and Mumbles never recovered after being two down for no runs.

Elsewhere, Cardiff host Pontarddulais and there are away matches for Ammanford, Ynysygerwn and Neath at Bridgend, Penarth and Port Talbot respectively.

Ten points separate Panteg (third) and Newport Fugitives (fourth) in Division Two.

Ian Bird played a captain’s innings as his Panteg team eased home by six wickets against Tondu last Saturday.

That was Panteg’s first double of the summer, and Bird’s troops can record another one today when they host Miskin Manor.

As for the Fugies, Ynystawe got the better of them by just one wicket to avenge a big loss on the opening day of the season.

Matthew Evans will be looking for the Fugies to bounce back in their tussle with Carmarthen Wanderers, who sit one place below them in the standings, in West Wales.

Clydach take on Tata Steel, Swansea face St Fagans at St Helen’s and Tondu are the visitors at Ynystawe.

It still seems like a one-horse race for the title in the South East Wales League Division One.

But while runaway leaders Newbridge look to be on course to wrap up the championship long before the last round of games, there is a big battle going on behind them.

Eleven points separate six sides from Sudbrook in second to Brecon in seventh.

Malpas were emphatic eight-wicket winners against Chepstow last time out to make it three victories on the spin for the division’s new boys.

They travel to Pentyrch with ambitions of making it four in a row, Chepstow entertain Croesyceiliog, Usk go to Newbridge, Blackwood are at Sudbrook and Pontypridd play Brecon.