CARWYN James hit 69 and Ben Kellaway 57 as Chepstow 1st XI raced to a morale-boosting seven-wicket win over second-placed hosts Pentyrch in the South Wales Premier League.

Three wickets from Jason Dobbie helped restrict Pentyrch to 227-6 off their 50 overs after they won the toss and elected to bat.

And then the visitors reached 231-4 in reply with 5.9 overs to spare to take 18 much-needed points.

David Monk struck early, bowling host opener Sam Ewen for 13 (14-1), but Chepstow would have a long wait for the next wicket as Gregor McKain and Lewis Coates took the score past the 100-mark, adding 91 before the latter went for 33 (105-2).

New man Brett Hole played a supporting role, scoring 20 in a 63-run third wicket partnership before Dobbie dismissed him with a caught and bowled (168-3).

McKain on 96 soon had his ton, although skipper Todd Wilcox was soon back in the pavilion, stumped Harry Hughes off an Ollie Rayner delivery for four (179-4), and new man Dominic Grossett followed for a golden duck two balls later, bowled by Dobbie for his third wicket (180-5).

Dobbie was in action again, running out next man Tegh Sehgal for 13 (197-6) as the fielding side kept the pressure on, but McKain with an unbeaten 119, including 13 fours, carried his bat, supported by Jack Lewis with 18 not out to see out the 50 overs.

It was a decent target, and Chepstow also suffered an early wicket loss holing out for a whirlwind 19 off 19 balls, including four fours (25-1).

But from that point on, the Chepstow top order took control, opener James and Aaron Jones putting on a 106-run second wicket partnership before James offered up a catch for his hard-earned 69, having cracked 10 fours and a six (131-2).

Jones followed soon after for 38 (150-3), but that was as good as it got for Pentyrch, as David Monk fired six fours in a quick-fire 29 not out and new man Kellaway blasted his 57 in just 40 balls, including nine fours and a six, to seal the deal with wickets and overs in hand.

The 2nds also won at home to bottom side Cowbridge 2nds in the Premier Division 2nds League after chasing down the visitors’ 45-over target of 159-9.

Jonathan Huws took four wickets for 39 in nine overs, while Cameron Rees took two for 28 in nine and Luca Goddard, James Kellaway and Oliver Thornhill took one apiece.

In reply Tuhin Gavand scored 44, Thornhill 38 and Matteo Goddard 23 as the hosts reached 163-5, a result which leaves them sixth.

Alun Jones hit 117 and Jake Bryant 118 for the 3rds against an inexperienced Monmouth 4ths in Division 13E as they won comfortably, Paul Phillips also helping himself to six wickets.