SOUTH EAST WALES LEAGUE
IN-FORM Chepstow ended leaders Newbridge’s unbeaten record by edging their top-of-the-table clash in Thomas Carroll South East Wales Cricket League Division One by 17 runs in a run-fest at the Welfare Ground.
After winning the toss and electing to bat visitors Chepstow, helped by 120 from Gareth Ansell, racked up 319-6 off their allotted 50 overs.
Newbridge, to their massive credit, certainly gave it a good go in reply with David Fortune (76) and Will Davey (74) getting runs, but they would fall just short on 302-8 and also meant they slipped to a first league reverse of the campaign.
For Chepstow, meanwhile, it was a fourth win on the bounce.
Last season’s Division Two champions Brecon were comfortable ninewicket home winners over basement boys Blackwood. Visitors Blackwood were unable to reproduce the batting performance that helped earned them their first win of the season against Croesyceiliog last week, as they were bowled out for 104.
Sam Williams bagged 3-41 before Brecon knocked off the runs with ease with Greg Webber seeing them home with an unbeaten 43.
Malpas, the other promoted side, made it back-to-back wins with a 90run home defeat of Pontypridd.
The hosts batted first and put 198 on the scoreboard with opener James Francis (54) hitting a half-century while Ed Smart (5-34) bagged himself a five-for.
Pontypridd were bowled out for 108 in reply with Ryan Ward collecting 4-15 while there were also wicket braces for Dave Griffiths and Lewis Morgan.
Meanwhile an unbeaten 108 from George Lewis inspired Usk to a comfortable eight-wicket success at Pentyrch. Batting first hosts Pentyrch posted 208-8 helped by fifties for Lewis Coates and Brett Hall but Lewis’ innings in reply would steal the show and was helped along by Iain Clayton (68).
Elsewhere in the top division Croesyceiliog bounced back from their crushing defeat at Blackwood in their last outing with a 17-run home victory over Sudbrook.
Hosts Croesy were all out for 241 batting first with Dan Evans (36) and Luc Kear (32) making useful thirties while Scott O’Leary was the best Sudbrook bowler as he returned figures of 4-51.
Ross Lewis notched 51 in reply for Sudbrook but they would ultimately fall short with Sam Saunders collecting four wickets as they were eventually bowled out for 224.