SUDBROOK head to Bridgend tomorrow afternoon knowing that victory could go a long way towards clinching top spot of Division One of the Glamorgan and Monmouthshire League.

It promises to be a cracker at Newbridge Fields when second hosts first with both sides looking to apply a sucker punch.

Bridgend, favourites to win the league at the start of the campaign with many, triumphed by four wickets when the sides met at the Deepweir.

But a recent dip in form allowed Sudbrook to regain first place with a hard-earned with at Blackwood last week.

They grafted for 166-9 in tough conditions before they bowled out the visitors for 138 with Chris Archer taking five scalps for just 35 and Jonathan Lewis snaring two victims and bowling economically.

Captain Mike Shaw says they will be heading west full of confidence for what could well be a nail-biter.

“I would be disappointed if we won this weekend and then didn’t go on to finish top,” he said. “Whoever wins won’t be home and dry but they will have taken a big step towards winning the league.

“It is a massive game and we are all looking forward to it. Bridgend are a top side with a couple of quality players but we just need to go out there and focus on what we have been doing well rather than worrying about what we are facing.

“We have been doing well apart from the slip up against Abergavenny and it was great to come through a real battle against Blackwood last week.

“It could have gone either way in those conditions so we were delighted to win it after losing the toss and being put in.”

Third-placed Abergavenny are chasing hard and will be looking for another win when they host struggling Tondu tomorrow afternoon.

They hammered Croesyceiliog by 163 runs last week with both Andrew Jones and former Glamorgan all-rounder Ryan Watkins totting up exactly 100.

Chepstow have struggled for consistency all season and will be hoping to string together a run of wins in the run-in.

They head into tomorrow’s clash with Pentyrch in high spirits after a remarkable game at Penarth last weekend.

They were skittled for just 146 after being put in by the hosts but their entire bowling unit chipped in to bowl out Penarth for 103.

While pacesetters Sudbrook and Bridgend lock horns at Newbridge Fields, bottom pair Blackwood and Croesyceiliog clash at Highfields.

It has been a tough season for both sides but they will be eyeing both Tondu and Penarth above them as they bid to beat the drop.

Panteg, who were denied a game at Tondu by the weather last week, could do them a favour tomorrow afternoon if they inflict a defeat on Penarth.