SOUTH EAST WALES LEAGUE
LEADERS Newport Fugitives tasted defeat for the first time this season in Division One of the South East Wales Cricket League as they went down by four wickets at Sudbrook.
Nathan Millichip top scored with 81 as the Fugitives were bowled out for 251 batting first – before a fine knock from Ross Lewis (94), which included 12 fours, inspired a successful run chase from the hosts. Bradley Bates also chipped in with 63.
Carwyn James (99) fell agonisingly short of his century but still inspired last season’s old Glamorgan & Monmouthshire League champions Chepstow to a crushing 173-run win at Radyr.
James was caught and bowled one run short of his ton while opening partner David Teague contributed 86 and Mitchell Harris 76 as the visitors posted a mam- moth 323-2.
Radyr were bowled out for 151 in reply with John Corden top scoring with 46 while Jason Dobbie picked up three wickets.
Meanwhile Croesyceiliog, who topped the table for the first three weeks of the campaign, slipped to a second straight defeat – this time by 19 runs at home by high-flyers Pontypridd.
Glen Williams thrashed 10 fours and two sixes in an unbeaten 107 to help steer the visitors to 244-7 off their 50 overs.
Williams then capped a fine all round display by picking three wickets along with Thomas Vaal as Croesy were bowled out for 225 in reply, despite the best efforts of Alex Kryjom (69).
Newbridge made it back-to-back wins with a four-wicket success at Blackwood – a win inspired by leg spinner Scott Greaves’ six-wicket haul.
Greaves (6-22) was the star of the show for the visitors as he ripped through the Blackwood batting with the hosts bowled out for 131, with wicket-keeper Will Davey taking four catches behind the stumps. Andrew Clark (41) top scored for Blackwood.
Ryan Watkins then chipped in with 29 while David Fortune finished unbeaten on 23 as Newbridge left with the victory that followed up on their thumping win over Croesyceiliog in their last outing.
Elsewhere Usk were six-wicket home winners over winless bottom side Abergavenny.