Aber score crucial victory (From Free Press Series)

Aber score crucial victory

ABERGAVERNNY picked up arguably their biggest result of the season on Saturday toppling Premiership leaders Sully at Avenue Road with a dominant display of cricket.

And once again it was James Hrastelj proving just why he is being touted as a star of the future at the club with another confident innings with the bat scoring 47.

It was the razor sharp Andrew Jones though who inspired a glut of runs for the home side scoring a magnificent 112 n.o. to lead Abergavenny to a title challenging seven point win.

Abergavenny have been dark horses all season thanks to there consistent form. A few inharmonious slip ups have cost them slightly, but with a victory over the Premiership's front runner player-coach Keith Newell will have to consider whether his side can mount a late title charge.

He remains cautious, but convinced his side can get into the top three.

"I think it will be a very good season for us if we can finish third. I still think Sully and Cardiff will boss the league, but if we can really press hard and just suffer one of two defeats then we can finish ahead of Newport and St Fagans, which would be superb in our first season back in the Premiership.

"I have no doubt that if we had our strongest side available week in week out we would be challenging for the title, but gone are the days when people work Monday to Friday.

"There's a small possibility we could challenge for the title, but I think that's a very slim one indeed. Third would be superb and that will be our aim," said the former Glamorgan cricketer.

Putting the so often formidable Sully line into bat first may have been considered foolish by some spectators at Avenu Road. Yet Abergavenny had their opponents on the back foot from the first ball condemning Sully to a paltry 186 for nine thanks in large to James Schofield's prolific bowling taking four for 33.

Knowing they had the batting power of Andrew Jones Abergavenny looked confident at the crease in reply and eased past the required total with a massive seven wickets to spare.

"James is young player and confidence is high for him at the moment. He started well this season scoring a couple of 50s then got a little bit cocky and started playing too many big shots. He's taken on board that he has to build an innings and complements Andrew Jones very well," said Newell.

Standing fifth in the table Abergavenny are now in prime position to launch a late surge up the table.

And if results fall their way there's every chance they can finish the season as Gwent's highest placed side.

That means beating Premiership leaders Cardiff this Saturday and as an ex-Cardiff player himself Newell knows that will be tough.

"We're confident after beating Sully and have every right to be, but we must respect Cardiff and not take them lightly," urged Newell.

Saturday's match bats off at Avenue Road at 1pm.