South East Wales Cricket League

Division One

Croesyceiliog 1sts (119 all out) lost to Sudbrook 1sts (120-2) by eight wickets

THE pre-match toss proved vital as Sudbrook gained a useful victory at Croesyceiliog, writes Bob Cypher.

After rain delayed the start, Sudbrook skipper Jamie Watkins said his men had never allowed their hosts to gain momentum.

“We asked the home side to bat first and our opening bowlers Jon Lewis and Mitchell Slape caused them problems from the start,” he said.

“Jon took 3-17 and spinners Dean Wallace and Scott O’Leary took 2-26 and 2-20 respectively to bowl them out for 119, two overs short of the rain-adjusted total of 33 overs.

“We were confident we could chase down their total on a small ground and with Matthew Spencer and Greg Shaw opening the batting, we were confident.”

Shaw made 10 runs before he was the first to depart with the score on 15 but Spencer stuck to the task - despite being injured - to carry his bat for 29.

“During the opening spell Matthew Spencer was struck on the chin by a bouncer and play was halted for five minutes for him to receive treatment,” Watkins added.

“But he kept going to make a resilient 29 not out and to see us home to victory.”

After Matthew Kinchin (19) was out, caught, O’Leary - in at number four - produced a top-scoring performance, ending 45 not out as Sudbrook made 120-2 in the 18th over.

“We have now won two on the bounce convincingly to move up to third in the table.

“We dominated the match, which was pleasing as we never allowed Croesyceiliog into the game and we travel to Usk next Saturday looking to close the gap on the leaders with a full-strength team available.”