South East Wales Cricket League

Division 4

Undy & Magor (194-7) lost to Machen (198-5) by five wickets

DESPITE useful contributions by the middle order, Undy & Magor were pipped in a tight finish at Mill Lane, writes Bob Cypher.

After the visitors won the toss and asked U&M to bat first, skipper Harry James and Arjun Calidas put on 41 for the first wicket, James being caught behind by Gareth Hibbs for 10.

Calidas lost new partner Josh James cheaply and he and Steve Hepple took the score to 141 before being bowled for 40.

Hepple (32), Rhys Willis (28) and John Turner (20) took the home side closer to establishing a 200-run target but despite Mark Crook making 10, the innings ended on 194, with the extras column proving to be the second best contributor with 37.

In reply, Machen lost early wickets fairly cheaply and at 23-3 looked to be in trouble.

But Omer Mian (29) and skipper Jon Toghill (73 not out) steadied the ship.

Mike Fussell (29) and Delme Smith (36 not out) saw Machen home with four balls to spare.

Hepple claimed 2-33 and Crook 1-28 with two maidens.