REIGNING South Wales Premier League champions Newport cannot take anything for granted against “wounded tigers” Ammanford at Spytty Park today.

The West Wales outfit might sit seven places below the 2016 title winners in the Division One table but Newport coach Mike Knight says his team must be ready for a stern test on home soil.

A total of 61 points separates Newport in second and one-from-bottom Ammanford, yet the latter have lost just once in their last seven league outings.

All five of last Saturday’s top flight fixtures were called off due to the wet weather so it’s as you were at the summit with Cardiff still holding a 12-point buffer over Knight’s men.

The two city sides meet in the capital on the penultimate weekend of the season in a match that could well determine who walks away with this year’s championship.

But Newport know they face four tough games bef-ore that, starting today when Ammanford travel to Gwent.

“They have been struggling a little bit this year and are currently in the bottom three,” said Knight.

“But sometimes a wounded tiger comes out fighting and they’ve certainly got a couple of players that can win a game.

“Alun Evans is a top performer and Jack Murphy scored 90-odd the other day for Glamorgan second XI so he is in good form.”

Asked if the title race is now a two-horse one between his charges and Cardiff, Knight added: “It’s starting to look that way with how the results are going.

“We’ve been on a good run so it was frustrating that we didn’t have the chance to close the gap last Saturday.

“Cardiff away next month is going to be a big game but unless we win our fixtures before then it won’t matter.”

Newport Fugitives did see some action last weekend when they held out for a draw against Tata Steel in Division Two.

Replying to the visitors’ 240-6, which included a Rohan Herbert century, the Fugies had reached 211-9 by the end of their 50 overs.

Gareth Thomas smashed 84 for the hosts and there was a crucial 46 not out from Jonathan Chorley.

The nine points the Fugies, captained on the day by Nathan Millichip, picked up weren’t enough to take them into fourth place above Carmarthen Wanderers.

Today sees the Newport side go to Clydach, who they beat in May, while third-placed Panteg visit Swansea.

The weather accounted for Panteg’s clash with leaders St Fagans so Ian Bird’s men remain 14 points off top spot.

Meanwhile, a stunning unbeaten innings of 145 from opener James Francis took Malpas to a one-wicket victory over South East Wales League Division One frontrunners Newbridge last time out.

That gave Malpas a fifth victory on the bounce and they host Usk today sitting third in the standings.

Second-placed Sudbrook are away to Pontypridd, Chepstow entertain Blackwood, Pentyrch host Brecon and Newbridge will look for a response to that Malpas defeat at home against Croesyceiliog.

Rogerstone and Abergavenny are locked together at the top of Division Two but Crumlin are way out in front in Division Three.