South East Wales Cricket League Division One - Chepstow First XI (111) beat Newport Fugitives (95) by 16 runs

BOWLER Paul Swingwood and skipper Jason Dobbie hauled Chepstow from almost certain defeat at Mathern Road on Saturday.

Chepstow had managed only 111 in their innings after losing the toss to Newport Fugitives and being asked to bat first.

Although Dobbie (29) and Dave Teague (11) gave Chepstow a moderate start, only Olli Thornhill’s top score of 36 not out gave them a three-figure target for Fugitives to chase.

Gareth Thomas took the visitors’ bowling honours with 6-30 and three maidens in his 10 overs.

But three catches by Dobbie, Tyler Morgan-Huggett and Alyn Franklin saw Swingwood remove the first three wickets for just seven runs and when Malith Madurasinghe bowled Chris Bridges for a duck, the Fugitives were reeling.

Thomas (27) and Matt Evans (21) offered some resistance before becoming Dobbie’s victims and after Tudor Morgan-Huggett removed Cameron Emmott (19), Chepstow’s skipper mopped up the tail finishing with 4-27 and was assisted by Teague who finished on 1-1 with one maiden in his two overs.

“We started well, playing on a very wet wicket,” Dobbie said later.

“Unfortunately we lost five wickets quickly but Olli Thornhill batted with maturity to get us through to 111.

“Fugitives had to bat for an hour and 10 minutes before tea and we bowled extremely well with the new ball, restricting them to nine runs for four wickets.

“They put a couple of partnerships together but we fielded well and bowled brilliantly to get them out for 96.

“The team showed great character to win and they put on the sort of performance that wins league titles!”

Leaders Chepstow’s next big test is at second-placed Newbridge on Saturday. Both teams are unbeaten in the last four matches so something will have to give.