IN-FORM Blackwood host South East Wales League Division One leaders Newport Fugitives tomorrow brimming with confidence after surging into title contention with six wins on the spin.

Skipper Richard Matthews led his charges to victory over Chepstow last Saturday to go second in the table, 19 points behind the Fugies, who have won four in a row themselves.

Matthew Evans’ Fugies came through another top-of-the-table clash six days ago when they saw off Croesyceiliog by 24 runs to retain first place with half-a-dozen games left.

Although the Fugies hold a healthy advantage at the summit, Matthews knows that a win for his side this weekend will throw the race for the championship wide open.

“Even if we win, I think the Fugitives are too many points ahead for us to take top spot off them, but we can certainly narrow the gap considerably,” he said.

“If we do beat them then I see no reason why we can’t go on and win the league.

“We’ve got a local derby against Newbridge after the Fugitives and if we can get something from the two games I fancy us.”

He added: “I’ve been involved with this team for five years and the changing room is probably the best it has been in that time.

“Dan Wilkinson has scored a lot of runs for us but it is all about the team and everyone seems to be really thriving.

“We lost three in a row earlier in the season and were just above the relegation places, but since then everything has clicked.

“We are batting well and I think we’ve got one of the best, if not the best, bowling attacks in the league.”

Evans, meanwhile, is well aware that his men will be facing a Blackwood side at the peak of its powers.

“It’s definitely the hardest game of the season for us because they are in such good form,” he said.

“They have improved a lot since we beat them comfortably earlier in the season.

“It’s nice to be where we are in the league and we have a bit of a cushion, but we know that one defeat and we’ll be back in the mix with four or five other sides.”

Huw Wilcox and Roy Emmett are unavailable for the Fugies so Chris Bridges and Ross Madden come in.

Elsewhere tomorrow, third-placed Croesy entertain Newbridge, who are just a point behind the former, Usk host Radyr minus captain Tom Robinson, Pontypridd visit Abergavenny and Chepstow go to Sudbrook.

Up in Division One of the South Wales Premier League, frontrunners Newport take on bottom side Ynysygerwn at Spytty Park a week before their potential title decider against Cardiff.

Cardiff, only four points behind Newport, should be too strong for Mumbles, whose last win was at the end of May.

Port Talbot, Swansea and Bridgend are away to Ammanford, Neath and Pontarddulais respectively.

Panteg, back on top in Division Two, will be looking for a league double when they host fourth-placed Ynystawe.

John Glover (63) and Thomas Smith (138) put on 195 for the second wicket last Saturday as Panteg blasted 315-6 in their draw with Carmarthen Wanderers.

The closest challengers to Ian Bird’s men, Penarth, who sit just two points adrift of the leaders, have home advantage against Miskin Manor, while St Fagans, in third, host the Wanderers.