Mixed fortunes for Abergavenny (From Free Press Series)

Mixed fortunes for Abergavenny

ABERGAVENNY Cricket Club go into Saturday's clash with St Fagans knowing they must win to have any chance of a top four finish this season.

The team stayed on course last weekend with a hard-fought three-wicket victory at Pentyrch but two days later they unexpectedly lost at home to Penarth.

The game at Pentyrch was played on a wet pitch which made batting difficult for both sides.

Having won the toss, Abergavenny skipper Keith Newell put Pentyrch into bat and spin twins Andrew Coles and James Didcot claimed two wickets apiece as the home side reached 178-8, a reasonable total given the conditions.

Newell said: "It wasn't a bad total and I was disappointed with the standard of some of our fielding but I always thought we could reach the winning line."

And luck was on Newell's side as the skipper was bowled out off a no-ball when on just five runs and he went on to make a very valuable 37.

In fact his partnership with James Hrastelj (29) was the key to Abergavenny winning the match.

Newell also paid tribute to the effort of all-rounder Craig Barnsley who came in at a crucial time and hit an impressive 31 not out.

"Craig gave the innings some impetus just when it was needed and he saw the side home in style," added Newell.

Abergavenny's Bank Holiday Monday match against Penarth ended in disappointment as the home side came up a few runs short of their opponents' 235.

Spinner James Didcot against performed well with the ball but he will miss his team's last two games of the season due to commitments with Cwmbran RFC.

Andrew Jones (47) and Keith Newell (43) gave Abergavenny some hope of reaching the victory target but they came up 20 runs short in the end.

"The Penarth result was disappointing. We needed a victory and the defeat means the St Fagans match is a must-win game if we are going to finish in the top four," admitted Newell.