ABERGAVENNY CC’s First XI made a trip to Pontypridd’s iconic Ynysangharad Park and were invited to bat first.

A solid start by openers Will Glenn (35) and Morgan Bevans (15) saw an opening stand of 41 runs, but from there Abergavenny lost wickets at regular intervals and were grateful to Dan Cooke (40) who helped them finish on 126-9.

Pontypridd must have been hopeful of overhauling that score especially when they reached 104-5 and 119-9. However, due to excellent bowling and fielding Abergavenny ensured they didn’t reach the target as they finished on 121-9.

Abergavenny CC’s second team were in imperious batting form at home to Monkswood. They amassed 356 for four wickets thanks to a magnificent 155 not out from Drew Heffernan, ably supported by in form skipper Steve Brown (75), Lee Fury (37), Richie Roberts (36), and keeper Nathan Holley (15 not out). The first wicket pair, Heffernan and Brown, set the platform with an opening stand of 168. Drew Heffernan becoming the first second X1 player of the season to register a century, and carrying his bat to a career best of 155 not out.

Monkswood never threatened to reach their target as they regularly lost wickets with no real momentum to their reply.

Crickhowell finally managed to break their duck last Saturday by beating fellow strugglers Dales away on their Leominster ground.

Crickhowell welcomed back skipper Nick Francis as well as son Lloyd and brother Justin. With the Bowker brothers opening the bowling and later the Francis family taking over, it turned out to be quite a family affair.

Justin Francis had the best return of the day, finishing with four for 21 off his six overs.

Dales were all out for 148 with nearly 10 overs unused, and certainly Crickhowell would have settled for that before the start of the game.

In reply Nick Kinman (11), Greg Tew (18) and Phil Christie (13) all had small but positive contributions at the top of the order, but again it was Nick Francis (59 not out) who showed his all round worth to the team.

Crickhowell finished on 150 for six, to take the win, and a very welcome 24 points from the game.

Following last week’s fine victory over the previously unbeaten Undy and Magor, Llanarth visited Abercarn looking to bolster their position amongst the challengers in the division.

Llanarth captain Dennis Heath decided to bat first.

However, the start his batsmen gave him may have given him cause to rethink. Allan Dewfield missed a straight one and then Mark Baxter received a beauty that feathered his thumb through to the keeper, both fell to the lively Kumar Gowrav (2-17) who was extracting good pace and carry.

The Trees had a sombre tea with only 102 all out on the board.

Abercarn knocked the runs off to send the Trees to a disappointing defeat, and to wonder what might have been had a competitive total been posted.