CAPTAIN Matt Norris believes Newport’s early- season ruthlessness shows they haven’t taken long to correct the errors that he feels were behind them missing out on back-to-back league titles in 2017.

The Spytty Park side head South Wales Premier League Division One after the first four fixtures of the new campaign, with three straight wins following an abandoned game on the opening weekend.

Norris’ charges have impressed with bat and ball, recording 133-run and 160-run victories over Port Talbot and Ynysygerwyn respectively, while also beating Ammanford by seven wickets last time out.

They face a top-of-the-table clash at newly-promoted St Fagans tomorrow, sitting just one point ahead of their hosts in the standings.

While St Fagans enjoyed Division Two title success last term, Newport narrowly missed out on retaining their top tier crown as Cardiff took the trophy by only five points.

Newport’s cause was hindered significantly by the inclement weather but Norris reckons that a failure to close matches out when in the ascendancy was the root of their problems.

But this hasn’t been an issue for the 2016 champions so far this season, and that’s something Norris is understandably happy to see.

“We’re just looking to win the title back this season,” said Norris. “I think we’re on track at the moment.

“Last season we lost several games to the weather but I said to the guys that I didn’t think we played our best cricket throughout the season.

“There were times when we missed out on key partnerships and let things get away from us.

“We’ve done well to correct those errors, and we’ve been ruthless with it.

“When we’ve got in front we haven’t let our opponents get back into the match, and we’re just looking to conti-nue with those clinical performances.”

Summer recruit Ian Tho-mas is unavailable for today’s encounter so he is replaced by Jack Wright from the Newport second XI.

“This is a big game for us,” added Norris. “St Fagans have come up and done rea-lly well so far.

“They’ve won their last three as well so we will have to be at our best to beat them, but I’m pretty confident we can do that.

“Our batting has allowed us to make some big scores and the most underrated part of our game has been our bowling.”

In Division Two, Panteg won their Gwent derby with Newport Fugitives last Saturday for a first win of the season.

And there is another derby for them tomorrow when Malpas, who lost to Llanelli in their latest outing, are the visitors to Greenhill Road.

Unbeaten Newbridge have a slender lead over Miskin Manor at the top of South East Wales League Division One.

They go to Croesyceiliog tomorrow and Miskin, who squeezed past Abergavenny six days ago, visit winless Usk.

Abergavenny entertain Cardiff Gymkhana, Chepstow host Tondu and Sudbrook, 10 points off the pace, face Brecon.