GWENT’S South Wales Premier League clubs will be desperate for points tomorrow as they look to pull away from danger in the bottom halves of the top flight and second tier tables.

Bettws Lane outfit Malpas are the highest placed of the quintet, with three wins to date putting them sixth in Division Two, 23 points behind leaders Swansea.

As for Malpas’ division rivals Newbridge, Newport Fugitives and Panteg, they have managed just two victories between them so far this season.

Both of those belong to newly-promoted Newbridge, who started the campaign superbly by beating the Fugitives and Swansea, before losing three in a row.

They now sit top of the trio of Gwent teams who currently occupy the bottom three places in the second division.

There is already a 26-point gap between Newbridge and the Fugitives, the only side to have lost all six fixtures.

But it is Panteg who are propping up the table, five points adrift of the Fugitives, after five defeats and one abandonment from their opening half-a-dozen encounters.

Panteg would have been hopeful of getting off the mark last Saturday before their derby with Newbridge was lost to the weather.

It is a difficult looking game for Panteg tomorrow as they head to third-placed Penarth, the team in the middle of a congested top five – first to fifth is separated by only nine points.

It’s no secret that a lack of runs has been Panteg’s problem this season, with two totals of less than 100.

Ynystawe, who are sandwiched between Malpas and Newbridge, visit the Fugitives tomorrow.

And as for Malpas and Newbridge, they clash in a big Gwent derby at the Welfare Ground.

While the picture is not too pretty for the region’s clubs in Division Two, it’s no better in Division One where reigning league champions Newport remain rooted to the foot of the table.

After edging past Cardiff on the opening day, the Spytty Park side are on a five-match losing streak, leaving them rock bottom of the standings.

High-flying Pontarddulais became the latest team to topple the 2018 title winners, leaving Newport with a four-wicket triumph.

Ian Thomas, Callum Taylor and Harry Powell scored in the 30s, but no-one was able to really stamp their authority on the Newport innings.

Even with Glamorgan paceman Michael Hogan in their ranks, the hosts couldn’t prevent another setback.

They head to third-placed Port Talbot tomorrow 15 points shy of Clydach, and now 60 back on leaders St Fagans, making a third title in four years unlikely.

Division One of the South East Wales League is looking good for most of the Gwent clubs involved.

Five of the seven competing make up the top six, with leaders Sudbrook just one point ahead of Chepstow and Abergavenny in third.

Usk and Blackwood aren’t too far behind in fifth and sixth respectively, while Monmouth are eighth and Croesyceiliog 11th.

The game of the day tomorrow sees Abergavenny entertain Chepstow, and local bragging rights are also up for grabs in Sudbrook as the frontrunners host Monmouth.

Croesy and Usk will hope to make the most of home advantage when they face Cardiff Gymkhana and Miskin Manor respectively.