South East Wales Cricket League Division One - Usk First XI (176 all out) lost to Chepstow First XI (179-4) by six wickets

CHEPSTOW skipper Jason Dobbie praised his bowlers for this success but said it was only the curtain raiser for the crunch clash this weekend against leaders Newport Fugitives.

“It was another excellent display with the ball that put us in a winning position,” Dobbie said later.

“Now we have a massive game on Saturday at Fugitives in a must-win match,” he added.

Fugitives are top with 224 points while Newbridge, who won a nail-biter at Sudbrook last Saturday, are second (211) with Chepstow third on 206.

As in previous weeks, Chepstow had reason to thank bowlers Dave Monk and Mitch Harris for some fine bowling after Dobbie won the toss and asked Usk to bat first.

But this time some of their success came as the result of some excellent work behind the stumps, wicketkeeper Mark Guest taking three catches to add to a stumping to remove three of the first four Usk batsmen.

Amit Aswani was Monk’s first victim, caught by Guest and Mark Tamplin soon joined him in the shed, clean bowled by Monk for a single-figure score.

Oliver James (52) resisted before being stumped off Harris’ bowling and Neil Perrett departed for another single-figure score, caught by Guest to give Monk his third victim.

Dougie Spencer (19) and Alex Head (10) looked ready to take it on but it was Richard Rees’ 41 not out which flattered to deceive, Usk’s final four batsmen making 14 runs between them as the innings ended on 176 all out.

Monk ended with 3-24 and Harris took 3-36 with three maidens in his 10 overs.

In reply, Carwyn James made 24 before being caught by Oliver James off Jason Cook’s bowling and then David Teague and Mitchell Harris were trapped leg before wicket for 17 and 31 respectively by James who was Usk’s best bowler with 2-23 and one maiden in his 10 overs.

Up stepped Monk to lead the charge for the line, making 62 not out with support from Dobbie (29) leaving Guest (7 not out) to complete a fine performance as Chepstow made 179-4 with just over 10 overs to spare.