CHAIRMAN Mark Carnevale is confident Malpas will cope in tier two of the South Wales Premier League should they secure back-to-back promotions tomorrow.

The Bettws Lane outfit lead Division One of the South East Wales League by just three points from Newbridge going into the final round of this season’s fixtures.

A run of 10 wins in 11 matches has taken the table-toppers to the brink of the league title after rivals Newbridge had looked favourites to clinch the trophy.

Malpas end their 2017 campaign away to sixth-placed Chepstow, while James Morgan’s Newbridge visit in-form Pentyrch, who sit seventh of the 10 sides.

“There has been a lot of chat around the club about Saturday’s games and all the different permutations,” said Carnevale.

“But we are in a great position and have just got to worry about ourselves – a win for us and we’ll be going up.

“Chepstow away will be a tough game but Newbridge have got a difficult one as well so it’s going to be an exciting day.

“We’ve got no reason not to be confident, we’ve won 10 of 11 and have now got a great chance of getting promoted again.

“It’s pleasing for us because two years ago we went up to the first division and got relegated, we just weren’t good enough.

“But we’ve become a lot stronger since then and I think we can do a job in Division Two of the South Wales Premier League.

“One of the big things will be getting the boys to commit to travelling to the games in the west, otherwise the rest are fairly local.

“And look at Newport Fugitives, they got promotion at the end of last season and have more than held their own.

“We’ve got players that are as good as theirs so hopefully we’ll take our chance if we win on Saturday and go up.”

Malpas, as far as the chairman is aware, have ticked all the relevant boxes in terms of meeting the criteria to play in the next tier up.

Meanwhile, Carnevale paid tribute to club stalwart Richie Jones following his death from cancer at the age of 52.

Carnevale described the second XI batsman as a “funny man” and “lovely guy” who used to “smash the ball around for fun” when he came to the crease.

Black armbands were worn and a minute’s silence observed in memory of the popular clubman at both Malpas matches last weekend.

Elsewhere tomorrow, Croesyceiliog go to Pontypridd, Sudbrook host Brecon and Usk entertain Blackwood.

Abergavenny can seal the Division Two title at Barry Athletic, while Crumlin know a win away to Machen will give them the Division Three crown.