Cricket catch-up: Newbridge involved in thriller and Machen win derby match

It was a great weekend of cricket for Caerphilly sides across the South East Wales Cricket League, with most picking-up crucial points.

Starting things off in Division Two and Newbridge were involved in a thriller at home to Whitchurch Heath, which eventually led to their third win of the season.

It was the visitors who batted first, and set Newbridge a total of 185 to chase. The hosts just about reached 186 with a single wicket to spare and less than two overs remaining.

Newbridge move up to eighth of ten with that crucial victory.

It was yet another great weekend for Blackwood Town down in Division Three, who batted first against Usk and managed to chalk-up 193 runs.

The hosts made a good go at the chase in another close contest, but the visitors managed to hold on for a four-run win and move up into third – just nine points off top.

There was an all-Caerphilly clash elsewhere in the division as Crumlin played host to Machen.

It was hosts Crumlin who batted first, and set a mediocre total of 163 for Machen to chase.

The visitors managed it with a few overs to spare, as well as four wickets. Machen secure their fourth victory of the season with that one, and sit seventh. Meanwhile Crumlin remain bottom.

Division Four saw Pontymister and Crosskeys take the field against Ponthir, who they beat with relative ease.

Batting first, Pontymister managed a score of 252 for the visitors to try to chase, but Ponthir fell some 52 runs short.

Pontymister move up to fourth with that one, just a few points behind second.

Abercarn were in action down in Division Seven, but unfortunately lost out on the road to Sudbrook.

Batting first, the visitors set a below average score of 165, which the hosts met with seven wickets to spare. Abercarn sit fifth after that defeat.

Finally down in Division Ten, Cefn Fforest and Maesycmmwer were searching for their third victory of the season, away to Bridgend Town.

Despite batting first and recording a score of 195 runs, that was no match for Bridgend, who ended up winning by seven wickets in 34 overs.