South East Wales Cricket League

Division 1

Abergavenny 1sts (75 all out) lost to Chepstow 1sts (80 all out) by 5 runs

CHEPSTOW took over top spot with a low-scoring win at Abergavenny - one of only a handful of matches that went ahead on Saturday, writes Bob Cypher.

Abergavenny skipper William Glenn won the toss and asked Chepstow to bat first, a decision which looked to be a wise one when the visitors lost opener Sam Hope-Bell (3) and Dan Cooke caught and bowled Carwyn James before he could trouble the scorer.

Gareth Ansell was joined at the crease by Dave Bennett but was caught by Greg Fury off Sam Clarke’s bowling having made 12 runs, leaving Chepstow struggling at 26-3.

That became 28-4 when Charlie Mitchell departed without scoring and Bennett lost another partner - Ben Kellaway before returning to the pavilion with 14 to his name.

Malith Madurasinghe added six runs before skipper Jason Dobbie made a top score of 16, Chepstow setting a target of 80 all out for the home side to beat.

Clarke (3-23) and Cooke (2-13) did the early damage with Geraint Leach (3-11) removing the tail-enders with his three overs.

Chasing a low target, Abergavenny suffered early losses as Dobbie and Madurasinghe removed openers Luke Bowen (1) and skipper Glenn (11).

As in Chepstow’s innings, the home side found it impossible to build a partnership worthy of the name and only Fury (28) offered any real resistance, losing partners for single-figure scores.

Harrison did make 19 not out after coming in at number eight but he too found no joy as the last three wickets fell for no runs and Aber’s effort ended on 75 all out.

Madurasinghe took the bowling honours for the visitors with 4-15 and two maidens in his six overs, well-supported by Dobbie (1-6 and three maidens in six overs) while Hope-Bell’s two-over spell yielded 2-8.

Skipper Jason Dobbie was delighted by the spirit his players showed.

“It was an amazing match with only 155 runs scored on a damp pitch for the loss of 20 wickets,” he said.

“It was a magnificent bowling performance by all of the Chepstow bowlers to roll Abergavenny for 75.

“Best figures on the day were for Malith with 4 for 16 and it was great to see such a spirited and fighting display by the lads.”