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With the weather dry over the weekend, the South East Wales Cricket League was back on Saturday July 26 as we reach the business end of the season.

Starting in Division Two, Newbridge remain eighth in the table following a home defeat to Lisvane firsts.

After winning the toss and restricting the visitors to 225-5, Newbridge could only post 149 in reply as they were bowled out inside 40 overs.

Elsewhere, Blackwood Town fell to a first Division Three defeat in July at home to Brecon firsts.

The hosts elected to bat first but were all out for 140, which Brecon chased down within 21 overs for the loss of just three wickets.

The loss leaves Blackwood in third, 24 points off new division leaders Llandaff seconds.

However, seventh-placed Machen recorded a dramatic one-wicket victory over Usk seconds.

Hosts Usk won the toss and batted first, scoring 205-7 in their overs, before Machen dug deep to reach their target with nine balls to spare and a single wicket in hand.

But Crumlin fell agonisingly short of victory in their home fixture against Miskin Manor seconds.

The bottom-of-the-table hosts sent Miskin Manor in to bat first, restricting them to 180-8, but with the target well in sight, Crumlin lost a series of late wickets and could only reach 174 in reply.

Over in Division Four, Pontymister and Crosskeys climbed to second in the table following their thumping home win over Whitchurch-Heath seconds.

Sent in to bat first, Pontymister and Crosskeys reached 265-7 in their 40 overs, and went on to skittle the visitors for 134.

The borough side now sits 48 points off division leaders Ponthir.

Division Seven side Abercarn remain in seventh place after a loss away to Miskin Manor thirds.

The hosts, batting first, reached 155-9 and bowled out Abercarn for 121 inside 36 overs.

Finally, a local derby in Division Ten ended in defeat for Cefn Fforest and Maesycwmmer at home to Blackwood Town seconds.

The hosts’ total of 137-9 was quickly chased down by the visitors within 32 overs for the loss of five wickets.

Cefn Fforest and Maesycwmmer stay ninth in the table.