South East Wales Cricket League Division One - Chepstow First XI (144-3) beat Radyr First XI (141 all out) by seven wickets

CHEPSTOW climbed back to third place following their mid-season dip in form although retaining their title might be beyond them.

They are 20 points behind leaders Newport Fugitives who suffered a rare home defeat at the hands of Sudbrook at the weekend.

Second-placed Newbridge have their own aspirations and they are only seven points ahead of the Mathern Road side.

Having won the toss, Radyr skipper Peter Clegg decided to bat first, a decision he may have regretted soon after.

Chepstow bowler Paul Swingwood took the honours with a fine 3-17 from 8.2 overs, including the scalps of opener Josh Hall for a duck and Rhodri Lewis for 11.

Skipper Jason Dobbie also claimed three wickets, removing Radyr’s other opener Howard Stone (49) when he was batting well and then bowled Tom Morris for 14, finishing with 3-27, the third wicket being the removal of Clegg without scoring.

Swagath Balachandran was going well, with 32 useful runs, before he became Swingwood’s final victim and Radyr’s innings stuttered to 141 all out.

In reply, Chepstow lost Dave Teague for a duck and Mark Guest departed on 12 but Mitchell Harris (43) and Dave Monk (55 not out) rallied and 15 runs from Ben Jones and 19 extras saw Chepstow reach their target in the 26th of their allocation of 50 overs.

“Once again, a great bowling performance put us in command,” Dobbie said later.

“It was great to see Dave Monk score a half century and Mitch Harris continues to impress with the bat.

“We know we have to win our remaining four games to have a chance of retaining the title.”