Glamorgan & Monmouthshire Cricket League Division 1 Chepstow 1sts v Penarth 1sts

CHEPSTOW Firsts skipper Jason Dobbie admitted he was disappointed after his team drew at home to Penarth on Saturday.

After winning the toss, Dobbie decided to bat first but he felt the total of 220-8 was at least 50 short.

"It was a good game against a good Penarth side but after we made a strong start I expected us to make a higher score than we did," he said.

"We lost wickets at vital times and paid the price."

After losing opener Tom Smith (6) at 17-1, Malith Madurasinghe was joined by Jake Kings who played himself in while his partner did the majority of the recovery scoring.

Both scored well, Kings accelerating past Madurasinghe to reach his half-century, with his chances of doubling it, looking good.

But Kings, often taking guard a yard out of his crease, paid the penalty for being beaten in the flight and despite a despairing dive to try to regain his ground, he was stumped by Sam Docherty for 68 runs from 89 deliveries, with the total on 136 and three runs later, Madurasinghe (49) was trapped leg before by Matt Thomas (10-0-43-3).

Chepstow lost their next three batsmen for single-figure scores but Dobbie hit a quick-fire 24 before departing, caught Docherty, and Ed Hepworth (14no) and Luke Watson (17) hauled the score to 220.

In reply, Penarth lost opener Rob Jones (3) but Rhys Morgan joined the fray, hitting three maximums and six boundaries to contribute 89 before being run out by Madurasinghe.

The other opener, Richard Skone, made 55 before Kings trapped him leg before and, like their hosts, Penarth's middle order failed to take up the baton.

Madurasinghe removed Tom Sidford (6 ct Kings) and Smith weighed in with a three-over spell, claiming three wickets for four runs.

Penarth's last five batsmen failed to reach double figures, their challenge ending on 204-8 from 50 overs.

On Saturday, Chepstow visit Abergavenny and skipper Dobbie is encouraged that Nick Folland will be back in action.

"It'll be good to have Nick back because Abergavenny are never easy at home and they will have a strong batting line-up," he said.

Penarth 2nds v Chepstow 2nds In the return fixture, Chepstow travelled to Penarth without skipper Huw Rogers and several regulars including the club's top-scorer Paul Bennett but the young and largely inexperienced side turned in an excellent performance with opening bowler Jack Farrant and spinner Jonny Huws both taking three wickets in dismissing their hosts for just 149.

Bryan Dickinson, who had opened the bowling earlier, held the innings reply together with 39 and Tyler Morgan-Huggett scored an elegant 42 not out to see his side home by six wickets collecting the maximum 22 points.