South East Wales Cricket League
STORM Debby did damage to the weekend’s cricket programme when only one local team played to a result.
But even that result was one they won’t want to be reminded of as they crashed to a humiliating defeat.
In Division One Sudbrook First XI travelled to Brecon where they were well and truly thrashed, falling to a 10-wicket defeat after being bowled out for just 44.
The team travelled with a mixture of firsts and seconds and the scoreboard made sorry reading with both openers falling for a duck and only Rob Simmonds (10) and Dean Wallace (10) posting double-figure scores!
In reply, Brecon’s openers polished off the required target in less than six overs!
Meanwhile, Chepstow First XI travelled to Tondu where rain meant they were returning an hour later without a ball being bowled.
Back at Mathern Road they were able to join their seconds who had just come off the field due to heavy rain with the scoreboard showing the home side on 155-2.
They had suffered a blow when opener Aaron Jones had suffered a hamstring injury in his right leg.
Despite having Alyn Franklin as a runner, Jones departed soon after and it was left to partner Jamie Rayner to steady the ship.
Rayner played well, supported by Tuhin Gavand (30) and Franklin (42) and was on 67 when the rain arrived.
No other play was possible.
Division Four’s Undy and Magor travelled to Llanarth with only eight players but they didn’t let the shortage affect them too much.
Opener Harry James was 77 not out when rain stopped play and with Luke Boast (15) and Luke Farley (18), the scoreboard showed 145-3 after 38 overs.
Later, skipper Ryan Hudson said his players were determined to do well, even with three players missing and they had a plan.
“We wanted to bat out our overs because we knew rain was coming,” Hudson said.
“We were going well, Harry James looked in the mood to make a high score and I think an upset was on the cards until rain stopped play,” he added.
Undy and Magor welcome Abertillery Town CC to Mill Lane this Saturday.
“We have a couple of players who will be playing football instead of cricket but Abertillery will probably be in the same boat so we hope for a positive result.”
Bob Cypher