ST Briavels Cricket Club won the top of the table clash on Saturday (May 17) as the side hosted Churchdown.

While only the club’s second home game of the season, ‘The Brevs’ found themselves winning by nine wickets.

Elis Rees was the standout with the ball as Churchdown won the toss and elected to bat. Elis produced two fine spells to take 3 wickets off 8 overs. Neil smith picked up 2 critical wickets and Harry Lee also took 2 wickets to secure the bowling points for the home side.

Tasked with bowling near the death, the young player stood tall and bowled brilliantly under pressure. The other bowlers all got their names in the wicket tally in an all-round impressive bowling display, dismissing the high flying visitors for 164.

Will Peters and Tyrone Hoskins proved valuable. Against a powerful Churchdown bowling attack, they settled in well and produced some glorious stroke play, to all but three runs, chasing the total down themselves.

Hoskins scored a beautiful 70 and a scintillating skipper's knock of 86 not out left Neil Smith to add 3 not out to secure St Briavels the maximum batting points.

A huge 9 wicket win sent the home side to the top of the league, and following the day’s results, it is the only unbeaten side in the league.

Next week, St Briavels heads to Pelham Hall to face Penallt and Redbrook, for the first edition of the 2025 Wye Valley derby.

Penallt will be looking to get back to winnings ways, following the weekend’s loss away to Highnam Court 2nd XI. The home side showed an exceptional display with both bat and ball, culminating in an impressive 214-run victory.

All eyes will be on the results next weekend in the league, with plenty to play for.