Glamorgan and Monmouthshire Cricket League Division One - Chepstow (202-9) lost to Croesyceiliog (234-9) by 32 runs

FOLLOWING their away-day joy in the season’s league opener, Chepstow were down in the dumps after losing at home.

Chepstow, again skippered by Tyler Morgan-Huggett in the absence of injured Kiwi Jason Dobbie, lost the toss at Mathern Road and visitors Croesyceiliog chose to bat first.

Jon Roberts (2-25) struck first, with opener Tom Kear caught by Carwyn James for 16 and then claimed Conor Miles’ wicket, also for 16 runs, caught by Ben Jones, and there was little to suggest Chepstow couldn’t restrict the visitors to a target well within their range.

However, Stewart Roden entered the fray at 44-2 and carried his bat, hitting nine boundaries and one maximum for an impressive 112 not out.

Apart from Alex Kryjom hitting 24 before he was caught by Dave Monk off Morgan-Huggett, Croesy offered little else with Dave Teague taking 3-50 and Paul Swingwood 2-31 with only tail-ender Danny Evans managing to score a double-figure score as the visitors posted 234-9 in their 50 overs.

In reply, Chepstow lost Jones for nine, Teague for no score and James for six and at 28-3, were in trouble. Morgan-Huggett (34) and Monk (33) steadied the ship but when they departed, Malith Madurasinghe offered resistance with an unbeaten 45 and Roberts chipped in with 17 as Chepstow limped to 202-9.

Croesy bowler Danny Evans took the main honours, claiming two wickets for 25 runs with two maidens in his six overs. There were two-wicket hauls for Josh Harris (2-36), Lewis Pheasant (2-35) and Luc Kear (2-39).

Despite the setback, Tyler said he was enjoying the temporary role of skipper.

“Jason has a short term injury and he should be back in a couple of weeks,” he said. 

“There’s a lot more to captaining than you think, especially off the pitch with organisation and various responsibilities but I am thoroughly enjoying the experience with the first team.”

Chepstow seconds enjoyed a one wicket victory at Welsh Asian, mainly due to father-and-son combination of Tim and Cameron Rees. Dad Tim, Chepstow CC’s chairman, took a sparkling five-for at the cost of just 24 runs while Cameron claimed 3-22 and Rizan Mansoor started the ball rolling with two of the first three wickets for 24 runs.

Their efforts restricted Welsh Asians to 155 all out in the penultimate over with wicketkeeper and captain Khalid Idris top scoring with 50.

In reply, Jamie Rayner contributed 35 and James Bostock 27 with Lewys Jones (18) and Rizan Mansoor (19) helping the seconds to 156-9, in a close finish.