Captain backs Newport to reclaim top spot

Other than Alan Davidson's dropped game, losing by eight chalks, Rudrum's side swept through the remainder of the field to secure a healthy 244 aggregate.

The captain said: "They're our local rivals and we played well. But maybe at the same time they also did quite well and I don't think the score reflected how well they played.

"We need to be clinical at home and we were. There were a lot of close games, some 19s, 18s and 17s, and they're the games that we have got better at winning.

"I've got a squad of 14 very good players this year. We're playing as a team and I can comfortably call upon any of them to play – I could even leave myself out as I have done.

"I think the squad is good enough. We've got to influence the games that we can control. Meole Brace still have to come and play on our green so we will be looking to take advantage of that.

"It's vital we perform and take the points at home. Our away record hasn't been what we'd have liked so far."

Meole edged to an 8-6 victory over Sir J Bayley with an aggregate score of 222 enough to see them over the line.

They are now only three points ahead of the reigning champions, while Redrum's men have a game in hand.

He said: "Bayley did us a favour. But we have to be wary as we also have to play them and they're more than capable of doing that to us, too.

"We're looking to chip away at their lead. They've been in this position before recently and we've managed to pip them to the post."

Gary Neal's win to one helped Meole edge over line against Sir J Bayley, they scraped eight points with an aggregate victory.

Archibald Worthington's resurgence continued as they took seven points from their clash with fifth-placed Burway.

Bylet are bottom after a 8-4 defeat to Hadley USC.