THE heavy thunder storms that hit South Wales overnight mostly bypassed Abergavenny and the home match against Rogerstone started at the regulation time.

Alec Astley Jones and Andrew Jones moved the score along at a run a ball, reaching 43 before first change bowler, Hayden Berry, removed Astley Jones.

Andrew Jones batted serenely on whilst his partners promised much but failed to build on their solid starts and it was a surprise when he was caught behind trying to run the ball down to third man, and departed with 90 to his name.

Will Ford joined Asim Gallani and the spectators were treated to an entertaining partnership as the pair added 128 runs in the following 11 overs.

Asim departed in the 48th over for 74 and Will followed in the next over but not before he had added another 20 runs to his score and reached 73 off 42 balls. His normal number eleven position could now be in jeopardy! Abergavenny totalled 356-9 at the end of their allotted overs.

The experienced Rogerstone captain Andy Harris opened the batting and was particularly severe on anything short or over pitched. He earned a respite when on 30 when the umpires were in doubt whether an edge had carried to the wicket keeper but on 50 the finger went up for LBW.

The new bowler James Hrastelj followed this up by removing Dan Jones and was aided by the mean bowling of Gillani who bowled seven overs for nine runs. Ford's leg breaks sent two more back to the pavillion and then the retuning opening bowlers Bukari and Cook proved too quick for two middle order batsman.

Sohail Anjum compiled a neat 33 but the innings ended with Ford taking a clever over the shoulder catch to provide Gillani with the second of his two deserved wickets and a comfortable win for Aber.

 

ABERGAVENNY seconds made the long journey to the 'new' Welsh Asian's ground at Rhoose Airfield to play a crucial game in their fight against relegation.

Welsh Asians won the toss and elected to bat on what would best be described as a 'sporting' wicket. Abergavenny openers Ryan Sharpe and Craig Whistance bowled accurately but without success and Tristan Astley Jones carried on in similar vein when he replaced Sharpe.

Scott Greaves bowled on in place of Whistance but it was not until Knight replaced Jones that Abergavenny took their first wicket, removing Ilyas with the score on 83.

The home side never really accelerated and were further restricted by the introduction of skipper Andy Timpson into the attack. He immediately removed his opposite number, well caught by Tom Keane at extra cover, and two run outs increased the pressure on Welsh Asians.

Timpson continued to bowl well at the end of the inninngs and despite a late assault by Tabraz finished with figures of five for 41. Sharpe and Jones both returned well at the other end to claim a wicket apiece as the home side were dismissed in the final over for 203.

In reply Abergavenny stated well with newcomer Chris Chaloner and stalwart Colin Knight adding 31 for the first wicket but both fell in quick succession to the accurate Sanan. Holley, Powell and Greaves all batted well but were dismissed as they threatened to take the game away from Welsh Asians. Aber continued to lose wickets and were 128 for eight when Ryan Sharpe joined Whistance in the middle.

These two batted very well together as the home side exhausted their front line bowlers and had taken the score to 191 when Sharpe was caught in the deep for a valuable 16. Andy Timpson joined Whistance with 13 required for victory and these two closed in on the target with a combination of lusty blows from Whistance and scratchy singles from the skipper. Whistance appeared to have won the game for Aber with a well struck maximum over long on to bring the scores level but then fell to the next delivery for an excellent 33 to leave the away team tantalisingly short of victory.

Nonetheless, the 14 points earned represented an excellent result fot Aber and places them in a positive frame of mind for the all important home game against Pentyrch next week.