ALTHOUGH Abergavenny CC’s first team travelled to Usk and were systematically put to the sword, their second string side faired better at Avenue Road against the same opponents.

Usk firsts lost the toss and fielded first. This proved as blessing in disguise as the hosts reduced Abergavenny to 86-8.

Geraint Leach (35*) at least gave the Abergavenny total some respectability before James Aston picked up the last couple of wickets to finish with figures of 9.5-1-37-5. The visitors finished on 141 all out from 41.5 overs.

Usk had few problems chasing down their target in 31.4 overs; Hywel Rose top scoring with an unbeaten 43, as Usk won by six wickets.

Meanwhile over at Abergavenny the hosts batted first and posted an impressive 249-4 from their 45 overs. Usk put up a good fight as they managed 235-6 in reply, but were defeated by 14 runs.

Crickhowell entertained Kington on Saturday and gained their fifth straight win in a row by the slimmest of margins.

Skipper Francis again won the toss, and invited the visitors to bat first on what looked like a good, well prepared wicket.

The Bowker brothers, Joseph and Benjamin, opened up and bowled with good control, bowling seven maidens in the first 10 overs.

It was Joseph (one for 37) who got the early breakthrough trapping Morgan LBW for one. Francis (two for 28) replaced Ben, who wasn’t having any luck, and promptly sent back Protheroe and Powell, but this brought together Green (40) and Lloyd (35) who managed to inject some much-needed impetus to the Kington innings.

From seven for one after 10 overs Kington had moved on to 77 for three at drinks. Phill Bowker had replaced son Joseph and Green had hit him for three sixes in his first over. Green seemed too greedy for more though, and Bowker had him stumped by Lilley in his second over. Ben (two for 22) came back to replace Francis and then picked up two quick wickets and Tim price came on to bowl a tight spell taking one for 11.

Kington, at one point looking at a score of 200 plus, were now limping along with the youngsters showing good technique but lacking the power to push the score forward. Kington finished on 153 for nine which Crickhowell were more than happy with, even though they were unable to snatch the last wicket for the extra bowling points.

After tea, as Crickhowell started the run chase, there might have been some complacency, but combined with some good straight bowling from Kington, what should have been a straightforward run chase, became more problematic with Crickhowell reeling on 46 for six after 20 overs.

Crickhowell though do ‘bat deep’ and Jawahir batting at six and Joseph Bowker batting at number eight put on a partnership of 73 before Bowker spooned a catch to cover having scored 52.

Tim Price was not able to replicate his heroics at Builth the previous week but even with Crickhowell at 137 for eight, Kington might have thought they were back in with a shout.

Ben Bowker came in at number 10 though, carrying an injury from a DIY mishap earlier in the week, and supported Jawahir who was showing some class in seeing his side over the line with an unbeaten half-century which included four sixes, one clearing the castle on the far side.

This performance, though maybe not convincing, showed that Crickhowell do have some strength in depth in batting and bowling and indeed having two wicket keepers of quality in Lilley and Wallace, who was not playing today carrying the drinks and the socks, shows that the team might be able to maintain a challenge for the title.

However, they have a stern test away next week at Luctonians, who are always strong on their own ground.