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With the cricket season reaching it’s climax, teams from across Caerphilly County Borough were in action over the weekend – with promotion and relegation still very much on the line across the South East Wales Cricket League.
Newbridge were dealt a blow in division one after falling to Sudbrook at home by 62 runs.
Newbridge registered 145 all out, compared to their opponent’s 207. They remain second from bottom in the table, 26 points ahead of bottom-placed Llandaff.
In division two, Blackwood Town remain top of the table, despite not playing a competitive game over the weekend.
In the third tier, Pontymister and Crosskeys beat Sully Centurions by nine wickets to remain third in the table ahead of fourth-placed Crumlin, who defeated Cardiff’s third team by seven wickets.
Elsewhere, Machen‘s place at the top of division four was maintained with a 46-run victory away to Whitchurch-Heath‘s second team.
Whitchurch-Heath v Machen match report
Machen face a division four title cliff-hanger despite a 46-run victory away to Whitchurch Heath, with rivals Usk winning both their games over the weekend to move to just a point behind in the South East Wales League division four table.
Machen have home advantage against Tondu on the final weekend (Saturday, August 27), but need maximum points to ensure the title.
Former Glamorgan professional Ian Thomas gave the club a huge lift on his return from injury as he smashed 112, including five sixes, at Whitchurch. With fellow opener Devinder Singh making 32, Mike Fussell hitting 51 despite an achilles tendon injury, and Rhydian Knox making 44 not out, Machen ran up an imposing 273 for six in a rain-reduced 35 overs match.
Ahsan Naqash was Machen’s star in the field, taking two early wickets and claiming four catches as Whitchurch hit out bravely. Thomas also took two wickets with his off-spin, as did seamer Arbab Haroon to prevent any late shocks, with the Cardiff side finishing on 227 for six.
There were two milestone moments for Machen players as big-hitting Fussell passed 500 league runs for the season and Haroon reached 20 wickets.
There was frustration for Machen seconds as their game against Division 11 rivals Cardiff Kits fell victim to an unexpected Saturday morning downpour, like several other games in the division. They travel to Llanarth on the final league Saturday knowing a victory will ensure at least third place after a much-improved season.
Then comes the light relief on Bank Holiday Sunday, with the club’s annual fundraising Duck Race on the river from 12pm, followed by an intra-club Over 40s v Under 40s game to round off a memorable season.
Report by Machen Cricket Club
In division seven, bottom-of-the-table Abercarn suffered a home defeat to Whitchurch-Heath‘s third team, losing by six wickets.
Down in division nine, Cefn Fforest and Maesycwmmer defeated Llandaff‘s fourth team by 32 runs and currently sit in second place – 21 points behind Radyr’s fourth team at the top.
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