South East Wales Cricket League

Division One

Chepstow 1sts 132 all out lost to Sudbrook 1sts (238-9) by 106 runs

A SCORCHING five-for by Sudbrook’s opening bowler Mitchell Slape earned the bragging rights for the summer, writes Bob Cypher.

The teams were due to meet on the opening day of the current season but that match was postponed because of a rain-affected pitch.

But on Saturday, the weather was the least of Chepstow’s problems.

After winning the toss, Sudbrook skipper Jamie Watkins decided to bat first and openers Matthew Spencer and Ross Lewis set about the visitors’ attack like men on a mission.

Spencer hit 43, including six boundaries and a maximum, and Lewis made his customary half century before Chepstow's skipper picked up the first of his three wickets, Sudbrook’s wicketkeeper making 59.

The opening partnership of 109 set the tone and Matthew Kinchin, batting at three, made a quickfire 38 from 40 deliveries to keep the scoreboard ticking.

Contributions from Scott O’Leary (19), Matthew Burton (11) and Slape (23 not out) saw Sudbrook post 238-9 in their 50 overs.

That sort of target has been well within Chepstow’s reach in previous matches, but Slape removed both Chepstow openers for 34 runs and when Dobbie was clean bowled by O’Leary for 30, the visitors were up against it.

Slape then completed his five-wicket haul removing Tyler Morgan-Huggett and Zak Watson without troubling the scorer and, despite Oliver Thornhill’s resistance with 22 and another flourish by Rizan Mansoor, Chepstow were all out on 132.

Later, Sudbrook’s skipper Jamie Watkins paid tribute to the part Slape had played in the victory.

“Mitchell bowled a devastating spell taking the first four wickets bowling with pace and accuracy and Chepstow’s reply never got going,” he said.

“We picked up wickets at regular intervals and Scott O’Leary took 3-28 in a very good spell of leg spin bowling.

“Mitchell wrapped things up in a man of the match display finishing with 5-28.

“We’ve had a difficult couple of weeks losing three on the trot, so for the team to bounce back with a dominant display was pleasing and puts us in good stead for the remaining fixtures.

"Mitchell was the stand-out performer, but our openers again gave us a good platform to build a big innings and we will be looking to kick on when we host Tondu next Saturday."

Chepstow’s Malith Madurasinghe said the loss of early wickets proved crucial.

“We were never able to recover and it is a very disappointing result with the only high point being Jason Dobbie’s 3-23 and four maidens in his 10-overs spell.”

Chepstow visit Abergavenny on Saturday.