IT was a Saturday to remember for Abergavenny with the first beating Pentyrch away and the second team victorious at Avenue Road against Sudbrook.

The Browns have been synonymous with Abergavenny Cricket Club since 1972. in that 46 year period both father ‘Dick’ and son Steve have captained the First X1 and enjoyed many a splendid season.

Whilst Dick Brown is now leading the ground staff, his son Steve is still playing and probably enjoying one of his most successful periods as Captain and leading player with the Second X1- as was evident in Saturday’s match.

Sudbrook asked Abergavenny to bat and at 85-5 it looked a good decision as top order batsmen for Abergavenny struggled against the Sudbrook opening attack.

Undeterred by this, skipper Steve Brown, aided and abetted by Nathan Holley (39) hit 11 fours and a six for his first century for the season. He had taken the score to 168-6 when he was bowled. The tail crawled to a respectable if not spectacular 192-8 at the close.

The Abergavenny bowlers attacked in style, reducing Sudbrook to 73-6. Dylan B-Welsh (2-14), and Chai Sanapala (1-24) both chipped in, however the real damage was inflicted by the man Brown (3-12) and Lewys Wilkes McCarthy (3-24) as Sudbrook were out for 131.

This victory puts them within nine points of the title.

In the final round of fixtures Abergavenny are away to Blackwood whilst the current league leaders, Brecon, face Cardiff Gymkhana.

Meanwhile, Abergavenny Firsts won the toss, inserted Pentyrch and reduced them to 31 for three with opening bowlers David Clarke (2-40) and Adam Harrison (2-18) on fire.

Pentyrch then had a revival with Gardner and Hole batting well and taking Pentych to 113 -4. However the last five wickets fell at fairly regular intervals and they finished their 50 overs on 185-9.

With confidence low Abergavenny’s frontline batsmen were unable to build a platform. In fact the start was disastrous, losing three wickets with the score on 10, this quickly deteriorated to 23-4. A good stand between skipper Geraint Leach and Lewis Holley took the score to 88-5 and luckily the well set batsman Lewis Holley was still at the crease.

Holley marshalled the middle and lower order and Abergavenny passed the Pentrych total for the loss of six wickets. Lewis Holley finished on a magnificent 110 not out, to claim his first century of the season .

With three games remaining this win was a boost to Abergavenny and their ambition to remain in Division One.

HAVING secured their Marches League First Division status the previous week, Crickhowell travelled to Luctonians knowing that the pressure was off, which was a blessing in disguise, with the Bank Holiday weekend affecting availability.

Crickhowell however, managed to field a full 11, with the return of skipper Francis and new acquisition Bradley Sussex, but there was still a need for a few ‘walking wounded’ to be press-ganged into action.

Luctonians themselves needed at least nine points from the game to secure their third League title in a row.

The wicket was very damp though, and the outfield quite green, with both having been freshened up by torrential rain the day before, so Crickhowell, on winning the toss, elected to put their hosts in to bat.

Joseph Bowker again managed to cause a few problems for the prolific pair of Platford openers, father Duncan and son James, but a few sharp chances were spilled and again the pair posted another opening stand of 50 plus. Bowker was ably supported by Bradley Sussex at the other end, and in only his second game for the club, Sussex showed great potential as an all rounder, with some much needed athleticism in the field as well.

It was young Dan Bowden though, coming on to replace Sussex, who got the breakthrough, inducing a false shot from James Platford who ‘skied one’ to Parker, who seemed to have to wait an age for the ball to return from orbit, before gratefully holding on to the catch.

Joseph Bowker got his reward with Francis taking the first of his two sharp catches in the match, to see the back of Maund. Phill Bowker then removed Duncan Platford, aided by another good catch, this time from Sussex diving forward at mid-on. With Wallace then holding on to a difficult chance standing up, again off Bowker, to remove Etnam for 13, Luctonians were only on 129 for four with new batsman Probert on nought, and Crickhowell hoping to restrict their hosts to a ‘getable’ score. Luctonians though, as you might expect for a team at the top of the division, do have some strength in depth in all departments, and Probert and Bengry then put a good partnership together to see their side past 200.

With the pitch drying out and becoming a lot easier to bat on, Luctonians were able to secure maximum batting points and push their score onto 249 for seven at the close. Phill Bowker finished with two for 48 and Sussex two for 61 with Bowden, Joseph Bowker and Nick Francis chipping in with a wicket apiece. Probert finished on 92 not out, and James Platford, who scored 42, probably did just enough to secure the batting award for the league, but unfortunately fell 19 short of 1000 league runs for the season which would have been another great personal achievement for him. In reply, Crickhowell’s early season woes with the bat, reared their heads again, and apart from Francis who scored 30, only Wallace (13) managed to get into double figures. It was a sorry procession really, with the team never threatening the Luctonians’ total, and more importantly never threatening to secure any batting points or looking likely to bat out their 45 overs. They finally limped to 104 all out in only 28 overs, and only took three points from the game. In contrast, Luctonians secured maximum points and took the Marches League Division One title in some style and deserve all the congratulations for another trophy to add to their already fairly full cabinet!

Crickhowell can reflect on a season with more downs than ups, but with a number of youngsters beginning to find their feet and a few new acquisitions showing late season promise at least they can look forward to next season with some hope.

Glangrwyney Firsts match away to Knighton on Teme was the last game of the season and maybe the best in terms of excitement for the first team.

Chasing an imposing 263 for seven, Glangrwyney won by six wickets in the last over with Alistair Howell top-scoring with 99. Batting at three and arriving in the first over, Howell played confidently in partnership first with Barry Sharpe who made 69 and then Ryan Sharpe who finished with 52 not out. Howell showed a lot of class in keeping the run rate under control while accumulating so it was a surprise when he fell one from his hundred. Dad with 27 not out was on hand though to see Glangrwyney home in the last over.

Glangrwyney finish the season second in league two, three points behind the champions Strollers and one point ahead of Canon-Frome. When success is determined by such small margins, Glangrwyney will be left to regret dropped catches and missed opportunities. Overall though it’s been a really positive season with contributions from many players which augers well for next year.

Glangrwyney Seconds game at home to Luctonians Thirds was cancelled due to a shortage of players available for both this and the first team’s game.

As this was to have been the last game of the season, the second team finished mid-table in league four which is a major improvement from last season’s last place. This season’s five wins were based on a great team spirit with some good individual contributions across the team and they look forward to next season with relish.