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There were some close contests across the weekend in the South East Wales Cricket League with several sides pulling away from the drop and one bidding for promotion.
Starting in division one, Blackwood Town were looking for only their second win of the season as they hosted Llandaff, who had already tasted victory four times coming into the match.
Llandaff batted first and reached 206 runs before losing their wickets. Blackwood just about answered back with three overs to spare, ultimately winning by six wickets.
That win puts Blackwood tenth and two clear of bottom at this early stage.
One division below sit Newbridge who also came into their game against Brecon looking for just their second win of the season following promotion last summer.
Newbridge opened the batting but only managed a measly 108 for the visitors to hunt down. All out inside 24 overs.
Brecon made light work of the task, winning by seven wickets in less than 21 overs. Newbridge are ninth and just one off the bottom.
There was an all-Caerphilly County Borough affair in division three, where Machen hosted Pontymister & Crosskeys.
Both sides came into the game struggling for form. Machen with one win and Pontymister & Crosskeys still winless.
The visitors batted first and set a very healthy score of 234 for Machen to chase. It came down to the wire with Machen just getting over the line by three wickets inside 42 overs.
Elsewhere in the division, Crumlin came into the weekend without a win as they hosted Pontypridd.
In what could have been a walk-over for the visitors, the game turned out to be one of the ties of the weekend.
Crumlin batted first and set a fairly average 202 for Pontypridd to chase. They just about managed to do so with only one wicket to spare. A tough loss for Crumlin who sit only one spot off bottom ahead of Pontymister.
A few divisions below in tier eight and Abercarn came into their tie against Porth in good form after winning their last two games.
They had their bowlers to thank this weekend, Abercarn batted first but could only muster 202 for Porth to chase.
Abercarn bowled them out inside 38 overs; all out for 143. A big win for Abercarn who now sit atop the division.
Finally in division nine, struggling Cefn Fforest and Maesycwmmer travelled to Blaengarw who came into the game having won their last two.
Cefn Fforest batted first in what could well be one of the poorest innings this season. The visitors were all out in just ten overs for a score of 181.
Blaengarw ran out comfortable winners making the chase with seven wickets to spare. Cefn Fforest and Maesycwmmer remain bottom of the division.
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