IN a game which saw over 500 runs, attacking batting, excellent fielding, and an outcome in doubt right up until a maiden in the 48th over, the Beavers did well to record a 16 run victory over Newbridge on Saturday. On the day which the weathermen had confidently predicted long spells of thundery rain, there was an overnight storm and early morning rain but the ground-staff gang worked hard on the pitch all morning and much to everyone's delight the game started on time. Akhtar Balouch and Andrew Jones proceeded steadily against the young opening bowlers but when the first change was made Balouch upped a gear with three successive boundaries. Jones was first out with the score at 85 which initiated a collapse as a further three wickets fell, all victims of Tony Birt. Captain Gavin Heritage and Andy Clarke started to repair the damage with Clarke being particularly aggressive. The pair added 143 before Clarke was caught on the boundary off Lewis Parfitt who also tempted Heritage and Cooke to a similar fate. Abergavenny were pleased with their score of 271 for eight off their allotted 50 overs. Former Abergavenny coach Ryan Watkins opened the batting with Monmouth school boy Ben Wellington and the score had reached 42 when Wellington mishooked Bukari and was caught by Scott Greave. The second century partnership of the game was completed by Watkins and David Fortune and then the latter was acrobatically caught by Andrew Jones for 46. Next batsman Lewis Parfit, who was Abergavenny's first team player of the year last season but changed clubs during the winter, joined Watkins and it looked as though they were going to see Newbridge home. Yet in trying to steal a short run Watkins was run out by a direct hit by James Schofield. At 223-3 with 11 overs left and 49 runs to win the away side still seemed odds on to win but nervousness and tight bowling, particularly that maiden over saw Abergavenny triumph by 16 runs.  It was a very welcome win for the home side especially with the weather denying them victory against Pontypridd last week. Next Saturday, the Beavers are away to Croesyceiliog.