NEWPORT skipper Michael Clayden believes the outcome of his side’s next two matches will have a big say in their push for the South Wales Premier League crown.

Clayden says positive results against Neath tomorrow and Port Talbot Town next Saturday, which both take place at Spytty Park, are needed if Newport want to stay in the title hunt.

Newport currently sit third in the Division One table, four points behind second-placed Bridgend Town and a further three adrift of leaders Cardiff.

Clayden’s men have picked up winning and losing draws in their last two outings – those were away to reigning champions Bridgend and at home to Cardiff – and are still yet to lose this term.

This weekend’s opponents Neath, who lie sixth in the standings, are in excellent form having won their last three fixtures.

Adrian Shaw’s side thrashed Mumbles by eight wickets last Saturday and clinched equally impressive victories over Pontarddulais and Swansea before that.

Spinner Dean Cosker, a teammate of Neath captain Shaw when Glamorgan won the County Championship in 1997, could be available for Newport.

“It was an excellent performance from us against Bridgend last weekend,” said Clayden. “We had the worst of the conditions when we batted but we did really well.

“Our bowlers put them under pressure early on and they never quite got up with the rate.

“It goes down as a losing draw but it’s pretty much a win with the way the points structure is in the league.”

Looking ahead, he added: “We’ve now got two big games coming up which will take us to the halfway point.

“Neath are strong with Adrian Shaw and a couple of Glamorgan triallists in their side, and Port Talbot will take some beating as they have four or five ex-pros in their squad.

“We don’t want to look too far ahead but two wins in the next two weeks would put us right up there going into the second half of the season.

“It’s shoot-out cricket from that point on and there are going to be some pressure games towards the end of the season.”

Elsewhere, the top two meet in the Welsh capital as Cardiff host Bridgend, Port Talbot go to Mumbles, Pontarddulais entertain Ammanford and Ynysgerwn visit Swansea.

In Division Two, Panteg remain top of the table following their three-wicket defeat of Pentyrch.

Chris Mee took 5-39 and there were half-centuries for Callum Reid and skipper Ian Bird as the leaders triumphed at Parc Y Dwrlyn.

Bird’s troops, who like Newport are also unbeaten this summer, host sixth-placed Tondu tomorrow.

It couldn’t get much tighter at the summit in South East Wales league Division One, with the top three teams separated by as many points.

First entertain third tomorrow as Newport Fugitives travel to Chepstow bidding to back up a five-wicket victory against Radyr last time out.

Nathan Millichip’s knock of 87 was vital after Radyr posted 259-5 batting first.

Four other Fugitives batsmen made 30 or more to guide their side home with five balls to spare.

As for Chepstow, their thrashing of Usk means they face the Fugitives with a third straight win in their sights.

All of Chepstow’s bowlers chipped in with wickets against Tom Robinson’s charges while Mitchell Harris blasted an unbeaten 75 off 68 deliveries in reply.

Abergavenny seek their first win of the season when they travel to Blackwood to face another side who lost last weekend.

Despite only being set 170 to beat second-placed Pontypridd, Richard Matthews and his men fell short.

David Clarke’s 43 helped Aber reach 177 against Croesyceiliog but that was never going to be enough and Croesy, away to Usk tomorrow, breezed to a six-wicket success.

A superb 116 from Lewis Parfitt was the highlight of Newbridge’s impressive defeat of Sudbrook.

Ryan Watkins also weighed in with 72 as Newbridge racked up 300-7 in 50 overs – Parfitt then completed a stunning individual display with five Sudbrook wickets.

Newbridge should have enough in their locker to see off Radyr while Sudbrook welcome Pontypridd to Mill Lane.