South East Wales Cricket League Division One - Chepstow (256-6) beat Croesyceiliog (217 all out) by 39 runs

A SUPERB knock of 86 runs by Dave Bennett helped Chepstow to a fine win at Mathern Road.

After losing the toss and being asked to bat first, Chepstow skipper Jason Dobbie said he had intended to bat first if he had won it

The home side lost their openers to catches before Jamie Rayner was trapped lbw and the visitors, without a number of regular first-teamers, were in command.

But Bennett steadied the innings with some aggressive batting and with Sam Hope-Bell at the other end, the pendulum swung the other way.

Hope-Bell played a more careful innings and deserved his half-century but, after acknowledging the cheers from the terrace, he too fell to a catch.

His dismissal brought Tyler Morgan-Huggett to the crease and he took over from his teammate, supporting Bennett as he moved to 86.

But a momentary lapse by Bennett saw him offer an easy catch to wicketkeeper Ryan Avery who accepted the gift at the second attempt.

Morgan-Huggett continued to build the total supported by Luke Watson (15) and finished unbeaten on 57.

Early blows delivered by Watson and Lewys Jones removed Croesy’s openers with Jones celebrating his 18th birthday with a fine four wickets for 42 runs as he and Watson sent the first six visiting batsmen back to the pavilion.

Dobbie ran out Aled Collier (32) as he threatened to build a big score and Hope-Bell grabbed two wickets at the death with Malith Madurasinghe taking one wicket for 14 runs in eight deliveries.

“It was good to get maximum 20 points and our second win on the bounce,” Madurasinghe said later.

“We were struggling at 28-3 but Dave and Sam steadied the ship with an excellent 143-run partnership and Tyler with a quick-fire half century gave us a competitive total.

“Economical bowling by Jason at the start of their innings put us in control which we managed to maintain to the end.

“We look forward to taking this momentum for next weekend’s visit to Pontypridd.”

Bob Cypher