WITH three games left, including a visit to local rivals Sudbrook, Chepstow CC’s First XI took over at the top of Division 1 with a convincing victory at Croesyceiliog.

After Chepstow’s skipper Jason Dobbie won the toss and decided to bat, the visitors lost opener Gareth Ansell cheaply, caught by Alex Kryjom off Rhys Jones’ bowling.

But Dave Teague and Carwyn James both hit half centuries to steady the innings.

James (53) was clean-bowled by Conor Miles with the score on 97-2 but the arrival of Jake Kings saw Chepstow to 151 before Teague (56) was trapped leg before by Miles.

Kings went on to make 81 before becoming Jones’ second victim and a battling 36 by Oliver Thornhill – including three boundaries and a maximum, helped the visitors to post 279 for nine wickets.

Jones took 3-49 with one maiden while Miles (59), Thomas Kear (60) and Danny Evans (39) took two wickets each.

In reply, Croesyceiliog lost early wickets, Thomas Kear being run out by Tudor Morgan-Huggett, Dobbie trapped Kryjom lbw for 16 and Miles was run out by Dave Monk for 28.

The home side’s skipper Stewart Roden rallied his men with 57 before Morgan-Huggett bowled him and despite Jones hitting a valuable 40, Malith Madurasinghe posted 3-39 to leave the hosts 59 runs adrift.

Chepstow host Pontypridd on Saturday, their last home League match of the season, before travelling to Abergavenny, who currently lie second in the table, on August 29th and Sudbrook on September 5th.