CAPTAIN Michael Clayden says Newport have been given a timely wake-up call as they attempt to reclaim South Wales Premier League top spot at Mumbles.

After wins against Ammanford and Swansea – both maximum 22-point hauls – the men from Spytty Park had their first speedbump of the season when outplayed by Pontarddulais.

The visitors amassed 290-5 thanks to an impressive unbeaten 130 by Owen Morgan and Newport managed 239-8 with six of their batsmen getting starts.

The losing draw means that they head west looking to topple new leaders Mumbles and they are bolstered by the presence of veteran Glamorgan spinner Dean Cosker.

"It was a bit of a wake-up call – a few now realise that wins are not just going to happen, they have to be earned," said Clayden.

"It was a good toss to win and we had them 36-2 after 13 overs, so we were in a good position but then we allowed them to build a partnership and just couldn't tie their batsman down. We've got four young bowlers and it was a case of the last couple of balls ruining good overs.

"We've gone from first to fourth but there are only three points in it and we batted fairly well to make sure it wasn't catastrophic, but we have to bowl better against Mumbles."

Panteg have made a solid start to the season with comprehensive wins against Aberdare and Clydach either side of an abandoned fixture when well-placed against St Fagans.

Last week they eased to a 133-run success with captain Ian Bird (88) and former Glamorgan seamer John Glover (80) playing key roles with the bat.

"It's great to have John back," said Bird. "He's a Panteg lad who came through the youth system and, as you'd expect after playing first class, is a top cricketer. He is level-headed and anchored the innings last week."

He continued: "We're in decent shape this season and after the disappointment of last year (losing out on the title to Swansea on the last weekend) we've started well.

"We don't have any preconceived ideas of where we will be, we just want to quietly go about our business and if we do what we have done in our two wins then we will certainly be in the mix."

CROESYCEILIOG are the early pace-setters in the South East Wales Cricket League as they attempt to go one better than 2015.

Croesy host second-placed Newport Fugitives this weekend on the back of an excellent win at last season's Glamorgan and Monmouthshire League champions Chepstow.

After winning the toss they posted 234 before limiting their hosts to 202-9 to emerge with a 19-point haul.

"We had a good season in 2015 and we are looking to go one better," said captain Stewart Roden, who struck an unbeaten 112.

"It was a good win against Chepstow, who are a strong side, and it's another big game this weekend if the weather holds out.

"It was a good toss to win last week because the wicket deteriorated and the bowling unit was fantastic with Josh Harris and Dan Evans bowling well followed up by our young spinner Luc Kear.

"The performance was pleasing all round but if we are to win the league then we need to improve the extras down the bottom – we can't get away with giving away 39 every week.

"We've improved the squad and have 16 first team players rather than just an 11. The new players have settled in well and so far that has made the others, including me, up our game."

The Fugitives, who finished third in Division Two of the G&ML last year, have made an excellent start to the campaign with a tense last-ball win against Pontypridd and crushing 139-run success against Abergavenny after amassing 349-5.

Captain Matt Evans said: "We've won more games already than last time we were in this league! We've got a few experienced players, our intention was to consolidate and that's where we still are because cricket has a funny way of evening itself out.

"The batters have been exceptional so far – Richard Jones has been with the club for about 25 years and has started with an 80 and a hundred while Nathan Millichip (89 last week) has been a superb acquisition from Newport.

"The club is on the up with three league teams on Saturdays and we've had a good start, but Croesyceiliog will be a challenge as they are probably the favourites for the league."

Chepstow, who won comfortably against Abergavenny on opening weekend, will attempt to get back on the horse when they travel to Highfields to take on Blackwood.

They are third in the table after cruising to victory at Radyr thanks to an impressive opening partnership between James Horton (102) and Jared Withers (90) that saw them hunt down 225 with ease. Robert Matthews did the damage with the ball, taking five for 58.

If the weather behaves then one side will get off the mark at Avenue Road when Abergavenny host Newbridge.

The hosts didn't post enough runs against Chepstow on opening weekend and then had to chase too many against the Fugitives.

Usk host Pontypridd fresh from a five-wicket win against Sudbrook when opener Owen Watkins played a fine knock of 75 after the bowlers had limited their hosts to 155, a steady flow of wickets throughout the innings preventing them from building momentum.

Sudbrook, who won a cracker against Blackwood on opening afternoon, aim to get over that Usk disappointment by toppling bottom of the table Radyr.