Beavers make Sudbrook pay (From Free Press Series)

Beavers make Sudbrook pay

With the prospect of showers at Avenue Road, Abergavenny Seconds' skipper Winstanley decided to bowl first, and this decision paid off almost immediately, as Neil Skelton took 2 wickets in his first 4 overs.

Skelton's opening spell of 2 wickets for 17 runs in 7 overs, had Sudbrook well on the back foot, and when Andrew Coles and Sam Timpson came into the attack, things got even worse for the away side.

Coles picked up veteran Gordon Voke caught by Lee Fury at mid-wicket, then clean bowled the stubborn Knight, as Sudbrook were reduced to 56 for 4.

Timpson kept things tight at the other end, conceding just 19 runs in his 10 overs.

When Mark Coles came on as the 5th bowler, he also had quick success with a caught and bowled in his 2nd over.

This type of dismissal became the Coles trademark on the day, as he took 2 further caught and bowled chances, both excellent one handed catches, including one diving low to his right. Coles also handed Lee Fury the chance for his 2nd catch, as Sudbrook collapsed to against the accurate Beavers attack.

Willis (34 no) and Simmonds (16 no) brought Sudbrook some respectability, taking their score to 148 off their 50 overs, but probably realising that it wouldn't be enough.

Mark Coles finished with 4 for 37, his brother Andrew 2 for 18, and Skelton 2 for 27 off their respective 10 overs.

In reply, the Beavers got off to the worst possible start, with a mix up leaving Ryland Wallace run out with the score at just 2. This brought in Jonathon Viveash, and with Steve Brown they set about the small total with some sensible batting, although at a run rate of 4 an over.

The score was 84 before Brown was finally dismissed for a rather subdued 24, perhaps due to the early run out, and Pritchard soon joined Brown back in the pavilion, just 2 balls later.

Viveash completed his 2nd league 50 moments later, but he too fell with the score at 92, as Adams picked up 3 quick wickets for Sudbrook.

This mini collapse brought Mark Coles and Greg Fury to the crease, and both initially struggled against a re-vitalised the rest of the Sudbrook attack.

Once they weathered the storm however, these two brought the Beavers home, with Fury blasting 33 no off just 39 balls, supported well by Coles with a patient 25 no off 47 balls.

The Beavers reached the total in just 36.4 overs, with 6 wickets in hand, to record a rare victory over one of their bogey teams, and more importantly picking up 18 points.

Next week, the Beavers will be home again, this time to Usk, and will be hoping to avenge their opening fixture defeat.