The two clash today in a Bank Holiday fixture at Church Road and will be in confident mood after their Saturday victories.

Newport now have a 23-point advantage at the top with just four games left after they thrashed Kings Heath by seven wickets.

And St Georges are just seven points adrift of the second promotion spot after their win by an identical margin at Redditch.

That proved to be crucial as the current second-placed club Berkswell saw their match with Coleshill fall victim to the weather at the end of the first innings.

Newport were always in control against Kings Heath at Audley Avenue, bowling their relegation-battling rivals out for just 82.

Rajat Bhatia led the way with 5-34, but he was well backed up by Jason Summers (3-19) and Jonathan Prince (2-14).

Prince and Bhatia also led the way with the bat, ending on 37no and 15no respectively to guide their side to victory and maximum points inside 16 overs.

“They chose to bat, which I thought was a strange decision,” said skipper Stuart Blount. “We bowled and fielded very well and they played some poor cricket. It was a good all-round performance.”

St Georges bowler Chris Greensall had a day to remember, taking 8-67 as Redditch were skittled for 105 a ball into the 29th over.

That proved to be a simple total to chase, with Aussie ace Adam Daniels leading from the front with 41 before being run out.

Whitchurch have climbed into the top half in recent weeks but were not able to make any further progress as their match with Wombourne was washed out without a ball being bowled.

In the premier division, Wellington and Shrewsbury both saw their chances of escaping the relegation zone hit by the weather.

Shrewsbury had made 203-2 in 38 overs when the rain came and washed out their match at London Road.

Ed Foster had made 75 at the top of the order and talented teenager Jimmy Taylor was unbeaten on 83.

Wellington’s match at home to league leaders West Bromwich Dartmouth did not even get that far.

The hosts were 67-3 inside 23 overs when they were forced to give up.