DINAS Powys First XI travelled to Machen in for their Division 3 South East Wales Cricket league fixture on Saturday.

After being put in by the hosts and losing the early wicket of DiMauro, they made 228-9 in their 45 overs courtesy of Stuart Jones (78), Gordon Hannah (50) and Curtis Wingren (39).

Despite having Machen in some early trouble in their reply at 47-3 off 10, the hosts then looked to edge towards an unlikely victory for a while until Olly Coughtrey snapped up the 4th wicket with the score on 142.

That proved the turning point as the wickets started tumbling, and Machen were eventually bowled out for 183 with over 5 overs to spare. Jones with 3-39 was the pick of the bowlers as the Villagers picked up an important maximum 20 points.

Injuries and unavailability including the skipper Jeff Mitchell meant a depleted 2s with some surprise recalls, took on Abergavenny at Bryn y Don.

Stand in skip Red Todd-Bennett chose to bat first on winning the toss and the Villagers made steady progress. Sam Marlow (25) and Nathan Bennett (11) got the score to 39 before the first wicket fell bringing Gareth Evans to the crease.

Out of match practice, but with a cool head and good understanding of a match situation, Evans steadily accumulated runs, backed up by Andy Smith (28) and despite a few creaky bones reached his ton just before losing his wicket for 104.

As he said after the match: "It wasn't the prettiest, but it was effective!" Set 222 to win, Dinas looked for an early wicket but had to wait until the score was on 41 before Richie Morgan took Sanapal's middle pole out.

Some indifferent batting saw Abergavenny lose further wickets, including another middle stumper from young Nathan Waite who showed good promise having stepped up to the 2's.

At 101-5 the Villagers might have thought they were in control of the game but the lack of available depth in their bowling attack showed as the visitors' skipper Steve Brown (46*) and Matthew Knight (81) got the score to within two runs of victory before Waite induced a nick behind from the latter. It wasn't enough though and in the end Abergavenny ran out comfortable winners with almost 5 overs to go.

The 3s took on Tredegar on the Common. Batting first a (largely) young side made 87, with stand in skipper Alun Harris making a fine 40, supported by Andy Hurley (15) and Andrew Palmer (10).

It wasn't enough though as Tredegar saw the job off, but not without a scare as they reached 88-6 with Hywel Owen taking 5-20 on debut, and Jacob Hatcher taking 1-5 in his 3 overs.

Saturday's League Fixtures

1sts (home - Bryn y Don, 1pm) v Pontymister & Crosskeys CC

2nds (away) v Rogerstone Welfare CC 2nds

3rd (away) v Panteg 3rds CC