NEWPORT captain Michael Clayden wants to see more of his players turn good starts with the bat into big scores when rivals Cardiff visit Spytty Park tomorrow.

Eight Newport batsmen got into double figures during the three-wicket defeat of Ynysygerwn last Saturday, but only two, Matthew Norris (44) and Gareth Ansell (31), made it past 30.

The situation was exactly the same for Cardiff at home to Mumbles, although unlike Clayden’s troops, the capital city outfit lost their South Wales Premier League Division One clash.

“Our scorecard against Ynysygerwn was littered with 10s and 20s,” said Clayden. “It was just about good enough in the end but on another day it wouldn’t have been.

“We’ve got to make sure we build on good starts and don’t leave it to the next person to make a big score.

“We bowled them out for 172 and won by three wickets but nobody really dominated the game when we batted. We didn’t apply ourselves as well as we can.”

In Division Two, Panteg, back on top after seeing off Ynystawe, entertain Miskin Manor.

NEWPORT Fugitives are now the only unbeaten side left in Division One of the South East Wales League after they beat Blackwood and Croesyceiliog lost to Newbridge last Saturday.

Fugitives skipper Matthew Evans has guided his experienced side to an 11-point lead at the top of the table with four matches played.

A trip to Sudbrook, who suffered an agonising one-run defeat by Chepstow in their previous outing, awaits the Fugitives tomorrow.

It was all too easy for Evans’ men against Blackwood as they bowled out their opponents for just 150 before Tom Cleeve and Nathan Millichip scored half-centuries to seal a nine-wicket success.

Captain Evans was understandably happy with the performance of his bowlers on the day, with three scalps for Nazir Ahmed and Huw Wilcox and two for Gavin Rodway and Roy Emmott.

“We bowled really well and took key wickets quite early,” said Evans. “Naz and Gavin got things going and then the spinners came on to really contain Blackwood’s batsmen.”

The Fugitives were on the wrong end of a hammering the last time they faced Sudbrook, and they will be without Wilcox this weekend.

However, all-rounder Gareth Thomas is back to boost the visitors’ chances of extending their advantage over second-placed Pontypridd.

NEWBRIDGE captain James Morgan was one of four players to score more than 50 as his side recorded their first win of the season against Croesy.

Ryan Watkins, Jake Watkins and Cael Jones were also in the runs, helping Newbridge post 308-8, while Croesy were all out for 197 in reply.

Newbridge go to Blackwood tomorrow and Morgan has kept faith in the players that served him so well last weekend.

“They put us into bat on a good wicket and we batted really well for a change,” said Morgan of his team’s victory over Croesy. “Scoring 300 put us in the driving seat and then we bowled them out.

“Hopefully it will kick-start our season and we can carry that on in the next few weeks.”

He added: “Blackwood is a local derby for us and I know their players very well.

“They are a pretty good all-round team and will be looking to bounce back from last Saturday.”

Elsewhere in Division One, Croesy host Pontypridd, Chepstow go to Radyr and basement boys Abergavenny visit Usk.