ABERGAVENNY CC’s seconds completed a quite astonishing victory for the second consecutive week after overcoming Newbridge by two wickets.

Having travelled to Newbridge through a number of heavy showers, it was no surprise to the Beavers players to see the wicket covered as they arrived.

Another heavy downpour shortly after arrival meant that the start time was delayed and the match reduced to 40 overs per side.

With a slight wet patch on the track, the toss was all-important and Beavers skipper Steve Brown managed to call correctly and asked the Newbridge side to bat first.

Ben Morris and Dylan Beaumont-Welsh opened up for Aber and were soon amongst the wickets as Morris (1-29) bowled Wellington for a duck. However, the procession of wickets that Aber had hoped for did not materialise as a combination of dropped chances and good batting meant that Newbridge passed 120 with no further alarms.

Brown juggled his attack in search of a wicket and was finally rewarded when young Tom Pipe had Chris James stumped by Nathan Holley for 54.

This wicket brought Carl Jones to the crease and he set about elevating the Newbridge total towards the 200 mark.

Despite the rain, the Newbridge track played extremely well, which allowed Jones to hit confidently through the line of the ball and he was rewarded with five sixes in a quick fire 62.

Euan Tippings had anchored the Newbridge innings throughout and ended with an excellent 85* leaving the home side with an imposing 233-3 from their 40 overs.

At the tea interval the Beavers players were ruing their missed chances but felt a strong start could give them a platform to chase the formidable total.

Gareth Powell (15) once again looking in excellent touch striking two fluent boundaries before being strangled down the leg side. Lee Fury, Tom Griffiths and Nathan Holley looked to be in little trouble but were all out when looking to accelerate the scoring.

At 59-4 the Newbridge target looked extremely distant. Chai Sanapala and Brown to the Aber innings past the half way mark, at which stage the Beavers needed 144 to win with five wickets in hand.

After Sanapala and Pipe had departed, Brown started to farm the strike in a last ditch attempt the exploit the short boundary and give Aber a chance coming in to the last 10 overs.

With six overs remaining the equation was down to less than 70 required for victory with Brown managing to pass three figures along the way.

Brown and Beaumont-Welsh had enjoyed an eighth wicket partnership of 51 in less than five overs before Beaumont-Welsh was caught on the boundary for eight.

Brown was then joined by youngster Ben Morris as Aber managed to win in the most dramatic of fashions.

Brown and Morris had managed a stand of 50 runs during which Morris had faced one ball which he sensibly placed for a single to get Brown back on strike.

Beavers skipper Brown ended the game unbeaten on 154, which included 18 fours and nine sixes.

This victory was every bit as dramatic as the previous week and means the Beavers keep much needed momentum and confidence going into this Saturday’s home fixture against Whitchurch Heath.