ABERGAVENNY bounced back from the huge disappointment of the crushing defeat at St Fagans with a comprehensive thrashing of Pentyrch on Saturday.

On winning the toss, skipper James Schofield asked Pentyrch to bat first on a green pitch. After a couple of exploratory overs from Dan Cooke, Joe and James Hrastelj bowled superbly in reducing Pentrych to 39-3 from 16 overs.

Joe Hrastelj continued his revelatory form with the new ball in bowling his 10 over spell straight through, taking 2-16.

In his return league debut, James was no less impressive in his six over spell. Will Ford proved initially expensive before a switch of ends proved more fruitful, but Lewis Parfitt, on his league debut for the club, struck early to remove Grossett thanks to an excellent catch by Hrtastelj senior.

Wilcox then chanced his arm, striking several boundaries, but always looking as though he might get out at any time. So it proved, as he hoicked Ford to deep square leg where James Hrastelj held another good catch to cap a superb fielding display.

Indeed, the fielding in general from Aber was very sharp as the addition of Hrastelj and Parfitt have added an extra dimension to this part of their game. From 99-6 after 32 overs, it became a question of how long Pentyrch would hold out and how many they would set the visitors.

After a flurry of blows from Matthews, Aber wrapped the innings up on 165, Parfitt finishing with 3-40, James Hrastelj 2-34 and Cooke with 2-31.

Any thoughts Pentyrch harboured that they were in with a chance were quickly dispelled by openers Greg Fury and Andrew Jones, who raced along to 55 from the opening ten overs.

Fury went to a quickfire 50 from just 42 balls, just before the century partnership was reached in the next over. Fury finally fell for a fluent 66 containing several excellent boundaries, with the score on 110 from just 20 overs.

That brought Will Glenn to the crease, and after a couple of singles to get moving, he too dealt entirely in boundaries thereafter. At the other end, Jones looked unruffled, despatching any loose bowling to the boundary with ease. The pair finished to game in short order, with Jones finishing on 64 not out, and Glenn on 33 not out.

After two games rained off that Aber would have hoped to have won, this was a very welcome victory.

It was achieved in a manner that suggested that they need not struggle in the second half of the season as they welcomed back players from work commitments and holidays. Indeed, this was probably the strongest side they have fielded this season and one that is capable of some strong performances and results in the games to come. Next week, they entertain Penarth at home, and will be looking to gain revenge for their defeat at the start of the season.

MEANWHILE Abergavenny seconds were involved in an exciting encounter at Avenue Rd when their Pentyrch counterparts came to town.

Visiting captain Steve Mathews chose to bat on a warm and sunny afternoon but with a damp pitch underfoot.

Andy Pratten and Nathan Byrne opened the Aber attack and bowled tightly, restricting the openers to 22 from the first 10 overs. Lewis Holley took over from Byrne and continued to apply pressure but without luck.

Pratten bowled well in his 10 overs for 29 but without success so that the visitors had reached 71 without loss after 20 overs. At this point skipper Andy Timpson brought himself and Colin Knight into the attack which produced wickets but an increase in the scoring rate. Pentyrch reached 110 for one in the 30th over but then accelerated to 245 for eight off their 50 overs, Timpson taking three for 46 and Knight three for 56. Huw Wright led an impressive display in the field, capped by two excellent catches from Richie Roberts and Nick Kinman.

In reply Aber made a dismal start losing both openers without scoring. Doug Spencer made a painstaking 26 and Holley a composed 22 but the match was drifting away from Aber until Huw Wright joined Richie Roberts at the crease. This pair took the attack to Pentyrch, striking the ball well and making full use of the short leg side boundary.

Roberts was eventually stumped for an excellent 54 and Wright bowled in the final over for an equally impressive 53 leaving Aber just six runs short of what would have been an unlikely victory.

After some abject performances this season this was a much better show from the team, with a good all round fielding display followed by some fine batting from the lower order. Hope springs eternal.