ONLY Penarth Cricket Club's 1st and 3rd XIs, playing at home, completed their Saturday games, with midweek rain putting paid to the 2nd and 4th XI fixtures.

Prior to the start of play on Saturday, people at the ground joined players from Penarth and Chepstow in a minute's silence in memory of John Skone, the ex-club captain who died recently.

In the 1st XI clash, Penarth captain Nick Morgan asked Chepstow to bat first in overcast and damp conditions, and this looked a good decision with the ball moving around alarmingly for the first few overs.

The Chepstow batsmen dug in and weathered the storm and, despite a couple of chances, put on 62 for the first wicket. Having reached 163 for three, the visitors looked to be in a commanding position, but the Penarth bowlers and fielders regrouped and eventually dismissed the opposition for 207.

Top scorers were D Teague (93) and J Dobbie (47), with wickets for Ryan Sylvester (3-22), Jamie Hitchen (3-38) and Mark Thomas (2-27).

In reply, Penarth struggled to cope with accurate seam bowling from Chepstow and wickets fell at regular intervals until skipper Morgan (73) found a partner in Sam Docherty (26). Unfortunately, this was not to be enough, with Penarth falling 21 runs short on 187 all out .

P Swingwood was Chepstow's top bowler with excellent figures of four for 30 from 10 overs.

The Thirds entertained Upper Rhondda who, batting first, totalled 238 for seven, with Matt Birch taking three for 52 from 10 overs.

When Penarth replied, the game was quite close due to a fantastic knock of 116 from James Docherty, who was ably supported by Tim Miller (37). Sadly, the former's efforts were in vain and Penarth succumbed to 208 all out to lose by 30 runs.

On Sunday Penarth Firsts entertained Maesteg Celtic in the first round of the Welsh Cup and, once again, asked the opposition to bat first.

This time the trick worked as the visitors were bowled out for 158, with 16-year-old Morgan Crimp returning figures of six for 27.

In reply, Penarth passed the total for the loss of only one wicket in 25 overs. Ryan Sylvester fell just short of his hundred on 96 and Tom Sidford scored an unbeaten 56.

In the next round Penarth take on local rivals Barry.

This weekend the Firsts and Seconds play Abergavenny away and home respectively, the Thirds travel to Blaina and the 4th XI entertain Pontllanfraith.