SOUTH EAST
ABERGAVENNY secured an immediate return to Division One of the Thomas Carroll South East Wales Cricket League after sealing promotion from Division Two with a sixwicket victory at Ponthir.
The hosts were all out for 107, with David Clarke taking 4-23 while Dan Cooke and Geraint Leach bagged two wickets apiece.
Cooke then led the charge in reply for Abergavenny with a stunning 30ball 73, a knock which included 13 fours and three massive sixes. Matthew Dennehy took 3-40.
It’s also a victory that keeps them in pole position for the title as they head into their final game at Barry Athletic with an 18-point advantage over Cardiff Gymkhana.
Meanwhile, the Division One title race looks set for a thrilling finale between Malpas and Newbridge heading into the last weekend of the season.
Leaders Malpas remain in the box seat to bag the trophy at Chepstow come Saturday evening after a fourwicket win at Pontypridd in their penultimate fixture.
It means they hold a slender threepoint advantage over nearest challengers and long-time leaders Newbridge, who closed the gap slightly after earning two more points from their eight-wicket victory at Chepstow. Newbridge head to Pentrych for their final game.
Malpas would have been wary of Pontypridd, who inflicted a shock defeat on Newbridge the week before to blow the race wide open once again.
Relegation-threatened Pontypridd were put in to bat and saw Phil Bishop claim a half-century (50). They were eventually bowled out for 119, with Lewis Morgan taking 4-32.
But Malpas went on the secure victory on 121-6, with Morgan (30) and Michael Martin (29) leading the way.
Newbridge, meanwhile, bounced back and ensured the fight will go to the wire as they won at Chepstow.
Skipper Jason Dobbie whacked 31 as Chepstow chose to bat after winning the toss. Mitchell Harris added 28 as they reached 98 before they were bowled out.
Tom Watkins (5-21) did most of the damage with a five-wicket haul but James Morgan helped as he took 3-10.
Captain Morgan then hit an unbeaten 48 in reply for Newbridge to lead them home, while Ryan Watkins chipped in with 27.