LOCAL CRICKET ROUND-UP

NEWPORT were the only team who completed their fixture in Division One with bad weather forcing a number of abandonments and even more cancellations across the South Wales Premier Cricket League pyramid.

Reigning champions Newport travelled to newly-promoted Penarth and after winning the toss, put the hosts in to bat. Nick Morgan managed a solid 33 before he was caught out by Josh Aston.

Aston went on to claim four wickets and Callum Taylor took three as Penarth were bowled out on 115.

Newport showed why they were crowned champions last year as Taylor hit an unbeaten 45. Captain Matthew Norris added another 19 as the visitors sealed victory on 116-7, despite Oliver Pike bagging 3-15.

The victory moved Newport up to second, 16 points behind leaders Cardiff who were forced to CHEPSTOW climbed up to fourth in Division One of the Thomas Carroll South East Wales Cricket League with a five-wicket victory over Usk.

After winning the toss, Chepstow elected to field with Jamie Norman hitting 52 for Usk before being caught by Malith Madurasinghe. Owen Watkins (32), Pat Rodden (26) and Dougie Spencer (24) all chipped in as they completed their 50 overs on 177-9.

Last year’s runners-up Chepstow responded well with Carwyn James striking 64, which included seven fours and four sixes. David Bennett added a further 36 as they went on to claim victory on 178-5, despite Rodden bagging 3-51.

With all the other Division One fixtures failing to beat the weather, Chepstow’s victory meant they leapfrogged Croesyceiliog and Pentyrch in the table.

In Division Two, Abergavenny remain top of the table after having CURRENT champions Llandudno drew at league leaders Menai Bridge in the North Wales Premier League in a rain-affected match reduced to 22 overs.

The visitors posted 144-7 after being put into bat; Daniel Evans 36, Rhydian Morgan 30 and Jack Rimmington 25 their leading scorers. Dion Holden took 3-39.

In response, the Bridge struggled initially but contributions from Gethin Roberts 32, Gethin Long 24 and Gerallt Roberts 19 not out took them to 121 before the overs ran out, resulting in a draw.

St Asaph chalked up their fourth win on the bounce with a comprehensive 198-run defeat of Connah’s Quay at Elwy Grove Park.

Connah’s Quay must be ruing their decision to field as the St Asaph batsmen piled on the runs finishing on 238-8.

William Ryan was outstanding, SOUTH WALES PREMIER LEAGUE abandon their game with Port Talbot at Forest Farm.

After losing the toss and being put in to bat, Cardiff went straight to work building a big lead with Alex Milton (67) and Umar Malik (52) helping them to reach 231-7 after 50 overs.

But Anthony Thomas had only struck nine runs, which included a six, off 20 balls in the second innings by the time the heavens opened. Play was stopped as everyone waited for the rain to pass but it continued to come down heavily and so the decision was made to abandon the game with Port Talbot on 10.

In Division Two, Newport Fugitives extended their lead at the top to 13 points after a winning draw against St Fagans.

Fugitives were put in to bat first with John Chorley hitting 36. SOUTH EAST WALES LEAGUE to abandon their game against second-placed Cardiff Central. Aber won the toss and put Cardiff into bat where Kamran Khan top scored with 26. The capital-based side went on to score 144 before being bowled out, with David Clarke (3-40), Sam Clarke (3-22) and Ross Melrose (3-21) all taking three wickets.

But before Aber could muster a reply, play had to be stopped.

Rogerstone Welfare, who were third, were unable to take advantage as their game at Cardiff Gymkhana was cancelled.

Elsewhere in Division Two, newly promoted WhitchurchHeath had their game with Lisvane abandoned.

Meanwhile, Division Three leaders Sully Centurions (69) fell to a shock 51-run defeat at bottom club Barry Wanderers (120). NORTH WALES CRICKET posting his highest ever score of 117 including 14 fours, while Paul Fleming hit a solid 47. Darren Leach returned figures of 6-47.

Connah’s Quay were quickly dispatched for a mere 40 runs due mainly to a stunning bowling performance by Alex Baker who took seven wickets, only Martin Burger managed double figures with 20.

In Division One, the bottom-ofthe-table clash between Llay Welfare and Carmel & District saw the Welfare side run out easy winners.

Batting first Carmel & District could only manage 36 runs against the Welfare bowlers, young seamer Ethan Griffiths producing his best ever figures of six for only 10 runs.

In reply, Welfare knocked the runs off with ease to win by nine wickets. Rain decimated league programmes elsewhere in Wales.