SOUTH EAST WALES LEAGUE

LEADERS Newbridge bounced back from losing their unbeaten record in a high-scoring top-of-the-table dingdong against Chepstow last week with a five-wicket win over Pentyrch in Thomas Carroll South East Wales Cricket League Division One.

Skipper James Morgan led by example as he struck 70 alongside Will Davey, who played nicely for an unbeaten 54, as hosts Newbridge successfully chased down the 177 they had been set for victory.

Earlier, Tom Kinsey bagged himself 3-28 as Pentyrch were reduced to 176-9.

Last season’s runners-up and nearest challengers Chepstow, meanwhile, had their four-game winning streak halted as they went down by eight wickets at Malpas.

Carwyn James top scored with 40 for Chepstow on what was an off-day with the bat as they were bowled out for 149, with Christian Rose taking 4-29 and Ryan Ward 2-7.

But it was an unbeaten 76 from Michael Martin that inspired Malpas’ third win on the spin, sharing a 91-run partnership for the second wicket with Ward, as they got home with 8.1 overs to spare.

Elsewhere Usk were six-wicket winners at basement boys Blackwood. The hosts were bowled out for 143 after winning the toss with Tom Robinson bagging 3-22.

George Lewis then top scored with an unbeaten 70 as Usk ran out victors.

Meanwhile in Division Two, table topping Abergavenny’s bid to return to Division One at the first time of asking remains on track as they recorded a fivewicket home win over Barry Athletic.

Barry reached 190-9 off their allotted 50 overs after winning the toss and being put in.

Maqsood Anwar top scored with an unbeaten 45 batting at number nine while Andy Timpson bagged himself 4-53.

Then in reply 66 from opener Will Glenn along with 50 from Gareth Burkitt ensured it was the hosts who would run out victorious.

Lisvane, who began the day in second, went down narrowly by 14 runs at home against Rogerstone – for whom opener Louis Tovey scored a century.