GLAMORGAN are hoping to reap the rewards when the best of the east and west slug it out in the inaugural Swalec Premier Cricket League, writes Chris Kirwan.

The east’s Glamorgan and Monmouthshire Cricket League has joined forces with the west’s South Wales Cricket Association with last season’s top five from both making up the new ten-club tournament.

Newport and Usk are involved and will be looking to be involved in the battle at the top rather than looking over their shoulders at the basement – the bottom two will be relegated back to the feeder leagues to be replaced by the champions.

Glamorgan will be sure to make the new league, which starts on May 1, succeeds given the amount of work they have put in to getting it off the ground.

The county’s players have all been allocated to clubs and individuals will have less choice whether they fancy having a game.

Glam chief executive Alan Hamer believes the two-and-a-half year negotiations will prove to be worth it and that it will help bridge the gap between club and county cricket.

He said: “For many years within South Wales the two strong cricket leagues have competed within their own regional silos – east and west – with an inevitable disparity between the top and bottom teams, resulting in many non-competitive matches. The new competition will not only provide a focus on top quality club cricket but will also provide valuable competitive play for our players and act as a breeding ground for the Glamorgan stars of the future.”

Director of cricket Matthew Maynard will be watching the form of his charges closely but will also keep an eye out for the young talent that could soon bolster the ranks at the Swalec Stadium.

“It’s great for club cricket in South Wales and as a result it is great for Glamorgan,” said Maynard.“It’s an extra layer that will give us a higher standard for the younger players to experience.

“We will be able to identify the talent that is scoring runs and taking wickets and we know that club cricketers will aspire to play in the Premier Cricket League.”

l See next week’s Argus for interviews with Newport captain Michael Clayden and Usk skipper Tom Robinson ahead of the exciting new season.