Power and the Fury (From Free Press Series)

Power and the Fury

ABERGAVENNY player-coach Keith Newell has warned his side a defeat this weekend against Usk is unthinkable, with games against Premiership front-runners Cardiff and Sully just around the corner.

Abergavenny limbered up nicely for this weekend's important match at Usk with a 75-run win against 2001 Premiership champions Sudbrook.

Alistair Fury 69, and Keith Newell 66 not out led the way as the Avenue Road side eased to a comfortable 230-6.

Only Sudbrook's Chris Archer could make an impression with the bat hitting 54 as his side was skittled for an unimpressive 155 - Lee James was the pick of the Abergavenny bowlers taking 3-16.

"The way we played we deserved the win. After the two weeks when we have had a couple of mishaps with the batting, everything seemed to work well for us," said a delighted Newell.

"Alistair Fury batted very well like he has done for most of the season. I knew he could play when I saw him in the winter, and now he is finally coming through as a player, which is very pleasing," he added.

The former Glamorgan battsman went on: "There seemed to be a little more application out there. Even when with Andrew Jones and Lee James are perhaps not firing on all cylinders themselves, the side seems to still benefit from them being there. They bring a confidence to the players which is priceless.

"Having them in the side also means I can move up the order a little and help steer the side there. We have been weak in the second half of our batting so that is a benefit.

"I knew Sudbrook were a dangerous side who have had a similar season to us. They have some good players there. In the past they have known how to win and know what needs to be done in this league."

Despite the fine win Newell conceded his side has little chance of catching Premiership front-runners Sully and Cardiff, but still urged his men to come out all guns firing against Usk.

"It's going to be a hard ask to try and put pressure on Sully and Cardiff at this stage of the season, but if we can rectify the wrongs of the first half of the season we will be happy.

"We have something to prove against Sully and Cardiff. That puts the impetus for us winning against Usk, because the last thing we want is to go into that double-header on the back of a defeat. We must be at full concentration this Saturday," he stressed.

Abergavenny will be without impressive batsman Andrew Jones and the young James Hrastelj for Saturday's match at Usk. The match gets under way at 1pm.

Congratulations to Kyle Holmes - June's Free Press Player of the Month. Kyle will be awarded with a bottle of champagne to mark his achievement.