VISITING Newbridge for the first time in the Glamorgan and Monmouthshire first Division, Abergavenny CC's First XI found a pitch which thanks to a heroic effort by the home club, remained playable. The all important toss resulted in the away side having to bat first with newcomer Sam Michell and Dan Cooke opening in place of the usual openers. Both found it hard going and Michell was bowled in the tenth over when only 14 runs were on the board. Last season's player of the year for Abergavenny, Lewis Parfitt, who transferred to Newbridge during the close season, quickly removed, Glenn, Schofield and new captain Heritage, whilst at the other end Cooke was LBW for a well fought 28. The pitch and outfield were gradually drying out and Ali Bukarri started to attack the bowling and shepherding the tail, lifting the total to 154 until he was out in the final over for 61. Abergavenny had a disastrous start with new recruit fast bowler Salman pulling up in his third over with a hamstring problem. Opening the innings for Newbridge was former Abergavenny coach and Glamorgan player Ryan Watkins. Watkins scored 14 when he was well caught off a steepler by Scott Greaves and his fellow opener was clean bowled by Ali, raising Abergavenny hopes, but Fortune and Parfitt added 90 for the next wicket and despite two wickets for spinner Schofield, Newbridge achieved the target with five wickets in hand.

Abergavenny seconds were keen to get the 2014 season off to a winning start when they hosted Welsh Asians at Avenue Road. Abergavenny's Barry Sharpe (making his league debut for the side) and Gareth Powell added a useful first wicket partnership of 32 runs before Sharpe departed for six being caught at mid-off. Youngster Lewis Holley joined Powell and the pair added 78 runs to the total. Powell was unlucky to be run out but added a much needed 37 to the total. Jake Groves' innings was short lived after being bowled for three by the Welsh Asians' bowler Haaris Ahmed (3-18) who proved to be a key contributor in restricting the Abergavenny innings. Chaitanya Sanapala and Lewis Holley added 21 before Sanapala was bowled to Ahmed. With the score on 135-4 Abergavenny seemed to collapse losing Holley for a very impressive 39 runs. John Lamont and Matthew Knight were both dismissed for three, whilst Ryan Murphy-Sharpe was also dismissed cheaply adding two runs. Craig Whistance remained unbeaten and stranded at the non-strikers end on six not out, Gregory Spencer also was unbeaten on three. The pair moved the score to 154-8 after Abergavenny's allotted 45 overs. Gregory Spencer opened the bowling and ended his spell with six overs, 14 runs for no wicket. Fellow opener Craig Whistance bowled three wickets for four runs after nine overs. Whistance also managed to run out Haaris Ahmed whilst fielding at fine leg, with a pinpoint throw to wicket keeper Barry Sharpe who whipped the bails off. Youngest Aber player Ryan Murphy-Sharpe finished well with figures of seven overs, three wickets,16 runs. Andrew Timpson bowled 3.2 overs for three wickets and 19 runs. The Welsh Asians were all out for 54 runs off of 25.2 overs with Abergavenny winning by 100 runs and picking up 17 points to start their league campaign. Abergavenny will hopefully take some momentum out of Saturday's game and carry it into next weekend's trip to Miskin Manor. The team would like to thank Nicholas Kinman who umpired the game.