AFTER a strong start to the season Newport need to get back to winning ways when they host Pontarddulais in the Thomas Carroll South Wales Premier League.

The Spytty Park side sit second behind runaway leaders Bridgend but Port Talbot, Cardiff and Ammanford are on their tail after a couple of sticky encounters.

Last week they were edged out at Port Talbot in an excellent contest despite yet more sublime batting by Imran Hassan, who struck an unbeaten 111 in 281.

However, former Newport and Glamorgan batsman Ian Thomas responded with his own impressive ton as the Pirates got home for the loss of seven wickets in the last over.

The visitors had to settle for eight points and will be hoping for a better haul when they return home to face sixth-placed Pontarddulais.

"We hope to keep the pressure on Bridgend and don't want our good start to the season to go to waste," said club coach Mike Knight.

"We will be looking to get back to basics because after getting 281 we were maybe a bit complacent last week and it came back to bite us.

"It was our fielding that let us down. We should have had enough but dropped four catches and the ground fielding wasn't up to scratch. Ian Thomas batted very well but we just didn't make it difficult for them.

"Our attitude has to be smack-on this weekend because it's been an encouraging first half of the season.

"We have a young side that has been together for a few years and matured. We have seen the fruits of their hard work in training."

Newport captain Michael Clayden is unavailable as he is working at the Ashes Test in Cardiff. In-form Hassan deputises.

"We will miss Michael because he is a real leader and a important batsman but Imran has been in superb form with two centuries in the last fortnight and is excellent tactically," said Knight.

Leaders Bridgend look to take another step towards the title when they welcome Ammanford to Newbridge Fields, Cardiff host Mumbles, Neath travel to Ynysygerwn and St Fagans entertain Port Talbot.

PANTEG are chasing Swansea hard in Premier, Division Two thanks to an excellent run of form since a shocker in Port Talbot in May.

This weekend they face the long trip west to face Carmarthen Wanderers looking for a seventh straight league success on the spin.

They have rocketed up the table since being thumped by Tata Steel on May 23 with the latest victory by 64 runs against Ynystawe, Adam Harrison taking four wickets in defence of 193.

Leaders Swansea travel to fourth-placed Penarth, third-placed Tondu go to Aberdare, bottom club Tata Steel host Miskin Manor and Ynystawe entertain Pentyrch.

BLACKWOOD will be looking to maintain their challenge on two fronts this weekend with a home double.

The Glamorgan and Monmouthshire League, Division One pacesetters host Chepstow tomorrow and on Sunday they welcome Usk to Highfields in the last 16 of the Welsh Cup.

Blackwood have been in hot form in the league, winning four on the spin to take control of the division, the latest an impressive 84-run win against title hopefuls Newbridge.

But Chepstow have been in pretty good shape themselves and sit in second place as the league returns after last weekend’s T20 action.

“We are going really well at the moment and have been winning comfortably but Chepstow will be a test, they are a good side and always tend to be slow starters before coming strong in the league,” said Blackwood captain Richard Matthews.

“It’s a big game but we have a well-balanced team at the moment with plenty of players in good form. We genuinely bat deep and are bowling well with me and Neil Reardon and then our three spinners.”

Newbridge are looking to get back to winning ways after a minor wobble and tomorrow they host sixth-placed Usk.

‘Bridge made a super unbeaten start to the campaign but are without a win since the first weekend of June while Usk have also endured a pair of sticky encounters with Croesyceiliog and Blackwood.

Captain Ross Lewis has been in excellent form for Sudbrook and is averaging 94 thanks to his 101 against Chepstow last time out, his second ton of the year.

That wasn’t enough for victory but the skipper will be hoping for better luck when they host Radyr this weekend.

Malpas are still winless and travel to fifth-placed Abergavenny while Croesyceiliog are looking for a third win on the spin when they travel to Pontypridd.