Support quality, independent, local journalism…that matters
From just £1 a month you can help fund our work – and use our website without adverts. Become a member today
As the season draws to a conclusion, the pressure proved too much for many Caerphilly County Borough teams as a weekend of upsets proved costly.
Newbridge came into their division one game against Malpas with confidence high, having won three of their last four games.
But that confidence was quickly dashed when fifth-placed Malpas set a very solid 285 for the home side to chase. Newbridge were all out after 45 overs, only managing 205. They remain 30 points clear of bottom.
In division two, Blackwood Cricket Club were on a decent run of form as they sat top of the league going into their game against Rogerstone Welfare.
In what can only be described as an emphatic victory, Blackwood chased the 210 set out by Rogerstone in just 30 overs with seven wickets to spare. Blackwood Town extend their gap at the top and are now a whopping 47 points clear of second.
With Pontymister and Crosskeys now too far off a promotion spot in division three, they were looking to finish strongly, starting with a home game to fourth-placed Radyr.
It wasn’t to be however, as the 183 from Pontymister and Crosskeys was well short of what they’d have hoped for. Radyr managed the chase in 38 overs; an eight wicket win.
Elsewhere in the division, Crumlin were looking to focus on the cricket after a difficult week. They visited a Pontypridd side who themselves were struggling for form.
Pontypridd batted first; their 252 runs giving them plenty to hold onto. Indeed they did, Crumlin only managing 166, all out after 37 overs. Crumlin remain fifth.
Machen Cricket Club v Dinas Powys
Machen will have to recapture some form over the last two weeks of the season to clinch the South East Wales League division four title after a nine-wicket defeat to Dinas Powys, cutting their lead over Usk to 22 points with their rivals having a game in hand.
Despite absences through injury and unavailability, Machen made a respectable 207 all out with Mike Fussell hitting 74 and Samir Khan chipping in with 30 in the lower order. Jake Preston took an early wicket but visitors’ opener Sajan Rana dominated the rest of the match, hitting an unbeaten 122 not out off 99 balls to lead them to a decisive win at 208-1 and leaving Machen with just five batting points.
Machen will hope for better fortunes in the trip to Cardiff on Saturday 20 August to face third-placed Whitchurch Heath, whose own title hopes disappeared with a defeat to Ponthir.
But Machen’s veteran second team, left with just one player under 40 after promotions to the firsts, moved up into third in division 11 after a nail-biting two-wicket win over Bay Dragons in Cardiff in scorching temperatures.
Captain Nigel Hicks and Meirion Pugh claimed two early wickets each on a difficult pitch, and Wales over 70s skipper Robin Jones bemused the lower order as his slow left-arm spin claimed four for 15, all bowled.
The target of 129 looked relatively simple as Owen Tamplin smashed a quick 24 and shared an opening stand of 52 with Nick Hatton, who showed his usual application in a patient innings of 33. But a middle-order slump saw Machen lose five wickets for just seven runs before Dai Knox (21 not out) finally got the chase moving again to steer the team home at 131-8 in the 39th over, with support from Robin Jones and Kim Deslandes.
Machen 2nd XI now host Cardiff Kits in a game which could well decide second place in the division behind the all-conquering South Wales Sri Lankans.
Match report from Machen Cricket Club
In division seven, Abercarn came into the weekend with serious relegation concerns as they travelled to bottom placed Christchurch in a relegation scrap.
Christchurch would have been more than happy with the 233 set by themselves, leaving Abercarn with it all to do. They didn’t put up much of a fight however, managing a measly 161; all out after 32 overs. The pair swap positions, meaning Abercarn would be relegated if the league ended today.
Finally we look at division nine, where Cefn Fforest and Maesycwmmer were sitting in third spot and trying to string a few wins together. They travelled to seventh placed Penarth.
Cefn Fforest and Maesycwmmer set a reasonable 229 for the hosts to chase, with the game always going to be a close one. Penarth eventually got over the line however after 38 overs and seven wickets in hand.
That loss dents the Caerphilly sides promotion chances somewhat, but with two games remaining they’ll look to make up the points lost.
Support quality, independent, local journalism…that matters
From just £1 a month you can help fund our work – and use our website without adverts.
Become a member today