SOUTH EAST WALES LEAGUE

IT was a day of surprises in Thomas Carroll South East Wales Cricket League Division One – where the top two both lost.

Leaders Newbridge went down narrowly by one wicket at in-form Malpas who themselves have now won five on the spin.

After losing the toss Newbridge were inserted and eventually all out for 220.

Lewis Parfitt (97) fell agonisingly short of his century while Dan Jones took 4-34 with James Francis (3-58) and Ryan Ward (2-7) also among the wickets. Opener Francis then sealed a fine all-round individual display with an unbeaten 145 – a fine knock which included 18 fours and four maximums.

James Morgan’s 5-39 ultimately proved to be in a losing effort for Newbridge who tasted defeat in the league for only the second time this season.

Second-placed Chepstow were also defeated, going down by 55 runs at Brecon. Brecon, after being put in, were all out for 186 with Greg Webber (46) top scoring while Rizan Man- soor collected 5-40. But that total proved to be enough for Brecon with Chepstow all out for 131 in reply.

Sam Hope-Bell made 39 but three wickets apiece for Tom Jones and Matt Williams helped bowl out the visitors with Ian Mitchell also bagging himself a couple of wickets.

Basement boys Blackwood Town made it back-to-back wins with a four-wicket home victory over Pontypridd.

Neil Reardon bagged 3-34 and Huw Wilcox took 2-5 as, after being inserted, Pontypridd were bowled out for 122 with Gregor McKain (38) top scoring for them.

David Windross then led Blackwood home with an unbeaten 47 as they followed up on victory at Sudbrook last weekend.

Elsewhere Croesyceiliog were four-wicket home winners over Pentyrch while Sudbrook beat Usk by 40 runs.

Division Two joint leaders Rogerstone Welfare and Abergavenny both enjoyed thumping wins.

Rogerstone crushed Ponthir by 173 runs, skittling their visitors out for 74 with Jake Ramji collecting 5-23 and Luke Harris taking 3-21.

Earlier Rogerstone had put 247-8 on the scoreboard.

Meanwhile 97 for Andrew Jones helped Abergavenny to a convincing 105-run win over Radyr.

Adam Harrison also struck 50 in Abergavenny’s 226-8 off 50 before Radyr were bowled out for 121 in reply.

In Division Three, leaders Crumlin were three-wicket winners at home against Barry Wanderers, with Ross Jolliffe notching a half century.