Cricket catch-up: Blackwood Town win big and Abercarn climb table

Almost halfway through the season and the South East Wales Cricket League is beginning to take shape for Caerphilly-based sides.

Starting things off in Division Two and Newbridge knew they’d be up against it, away to second placed Pontypridd.

Batting first, Newbridge managed a total of 175 runs, all out after 41 overs. The hosts responded swiftly, winning the tie with seven wickets to spare inside 37 overs.

Newbridge sit eighth of ten with two wins to their name.

Blackwood Town secured their fourth win of the season in emphatic style over Chepstow on Saturday afternoon, batting first and setting a whopping total of 344 in Division Three.

The visitors made a good go at the chase, but still fell way short, all out for 220. Blackwood move up into third after the victory.

Elsewhere in the league and Machen claimed an important win at home over Miskin Manor.

Just their third victory of the season, Machen batted first and set the visitors a score of 242 to reach. Miskin came within a ton, but were all out for 145 after 30 overs. Machen are now eighth of ten.

It was another weekend to forget for Crumlin however, who once again suffered defeat.

On the road to Creigiau, the hosts batted first and set a decent total of 182 for the visitors to have a go at.

Credit to Crumlin, they got close, but still fell 38 runs short. They remain bottom of the table with one win.

Drop down a division and Pontymister and Crosskeys suffered a six wicket defeat to Sully Centurions on the road.

Having set a total of 207, Pontymister would have felt like they had a chance to hold on, but in the end were beaten handily.

Division Seven and Abercarn celebrated a comfortable victory over the winless Sully Centurions seconds to move up into fourth.

The Centurions could only manage 93 runs to open proceedings – a score quickly hunted down by Abercarn who lost just one wicket.

Finally, Cefn Fforest and Maesycwmmer were in action down in Division Ten, looking for their third win of the season away to Friends Union.

The visitors set a score of 193, but the hosts made lightwork of the chase to win by six wickets. Cefn Fforest sit eighth after the loss.