South East Wales Cricket League

Division One

LONG-SERVING members of Sudbrook Cricket Club were rushing for the record books after watching the home side put Croesyceiliog to the sword at the weekend, writes Bob Cypher.

The Mill Lane faithful were fairly certain that the 368-3 was the highest seen there “for quite a while” as one fan put it.

On a chilly, windy day, Croesy skipper Ryan Avery won the toss and asked Sudbrook to bat.

Openers Ross Lewis and Matt Spencer began warily but once they had played themselves in, both men cut loose and took the score to 100 without offering a chance.

Although Spencer departed first, trapped leg before, he played some fine shots in his 65 runs.

Spencer’s departure brought Matt Kinchin to the crease and he and Lewis continued the good work, keeping the scorer on his toes as the run rate crept up to an impressive seven runs an over.

Lewis showed his usual range of shots to all corners of the ground but must be kicking himself after he caught the top edge of his bat when on 96 and watched the ball lob to a fielder on the boundary edge who took the catch comfortably.

Lewis was muttering something as he returned to the pavilion but it was unlikely to have been “good catch”.

Scott O’Leary joined Kinchin in the middle and added a useful 43 before he too was caught which gave Kel Stevens some time in the middle.

Stevens made 29 not out as the innings ended at 368.

In reply, Mitchell Slape caught and bowled Croesy opener Ryan Avery without scoring and although his partner Alex Barry offered spirited resistance, making 87 being falling victim to Ryan Hudson’s bowling, he lost partners regularly.

Two batsmen made low double figure scores before being snapped up by home skipper Jamie Watkins (2-6 and one maiden) while Hudson (3-40 with two maidens) and Jonathan Lewis (3-25) brought the match to an early close with Croesyceiliog on 155 all out in 27 overs.

Lewis took three wickets in one over but was denied a hat-trick.

Skipper Watkins was delighted with the back-to-back victories.

“I thought the way the batsmen went about their business was exceptional, all of them looked in really good nick, and scored very quickly,” he said.

“It was great to see Matt Kinchin return with a century and all the top order batsmen contributed, a testament to the hard work they have put in during the winter.

“Ryan Hudson was the pick of the bowlers and continues to impress in his first season, supported ably by the rest of the bowling unit.

"We are delighted to make it two wins from two but we are not getting carried away.

“We know tougher tests await, but we are playing good cricket and are well prepared for the season ahead.

“We travel to Usk on Saturday looking to build on the momentum gained from the opening two weeks.”