South East Wales Cricket League

Division 1

Pontypridd 1sts 231-8 lost to Chepstow 1sts (255 all out) by 24 runs

CHEPSTOW Firsts shrugged off the heavy defeat at home to Usk seven days earlier with a spirited victory at Pontypridd, writes Bob Cypher.

Home skipper Thomas Vaal won the toss and asked Chepstow to bat first.

After losing an early wicket, Sam Hope-Bell (53) and Dave Bennett (36) steadied the ship with valuable contributions from Aaron Jones (46), a fine half century by skipper Jason Dobbie as well as a useful 15 from wicketkeeper Ricki Sahabdeen seeing them post a competitive 255.

Dobbie removed Pontypridd opener Ali Saeed for 12, caught behind by Sahabdeen, and Tudor Morgan-Huggett had Gregor McKain out lbw for 66.

Josh Waughington was run out by Sam Hope-Bell and Morgan-Huggett claimed his second scalp, clean bowling Awais Choudhary for 12 before Carwyn James joined the fray taking 3-20 in a five-over spell.

James’ second wicket proved to be vital as his victim Dani Zaman was going well having made 51, which included two boundaries and three maximums before he was caught by Tyler Morgan-Huggett.

Malith Madurasinghe caught and bowled Vaal for 18 and although Brandon Hughes-Philpott made 12 not out, the home side’s effort fell short.

“It was a good win after a disappointing weekend last week,” Chepstow’s skipper Dobbie said later.

“We batted well with Sam Hope-Bell continuing his good form and other contributions from myself and Aaron Jones.

“It was a solid bowling performance in restricting them to 227 with Carwyn James picking up three wickets.”

This Saturday Chepstow are home to Brecon (12.30pm start).