BRECON 2nds lost a thrilling home encounter to Machen off the final ball of the game and at the same time their unbeaten record but remain 18 points clear at the top of the table.
At home, the 2nd team were undone off the last ball of the game despite a committed effort throughout against Machen to fall to their first defeat of the season and end a great run of eighth consecutive victories.
This was despite Brecon totalling a solid 194 all out batting first. In the runs were Mark Waldeck 41, Rhys Prichard 40, Daffyd Edwards 18 and Terry Dickson 15. It was however a fighting eighth wicket stand of 45 between Brian Skinner (17) and Derek Osborne, who played a vital inning of 34no, which put Brecon in with a shout.
In reply Machen openers batted soundly to put on 45 and when they were separated the remaining line up stuck solidly to their task despite losing wicket steadily and with four runs needed off the last ball of the game with eight wickets down they found a way to victory and full credit must go to their resolute batting.
For Brecon the principle wicket takers were the spinners Steve Kenchington (2 for 31) and Gwyn Price (2 for 15) with Daffyd Edwards and John Cooke taking one each with a couple of run outs accounting for the remaining wickets. On a day when the Brecon fielding was not perhaps at its best Machen recorded a merited if hard fought victory.
Meanwhile, Brecon 1st team put in a brilliant performance in the top of table clash with Maplas 1st to record a vital away victory and gather a maximum 20 points to close to within four points of the home team at the top of the league.
Having been inserted at Malpas in a reduced overs game because of the heavy morning rain put up in a massive effort in the conditions to total 226 for 8 which underlined the talent of the batting line up.
Leading the way was Andy MacDonald with a fine 74no and in support with good contributions were Gregg Webber and Matt Williams with 24 runs each and then a quick fire 28 from James Mitchell put the finishing touches to the innings in setting up the formidable total.
Malpas’s reply was under pressure from the start facing such a challenging total and their worries were added too because the Brecon bowlers are so effective in damp conditions.
Sam Williams and Tom Jones made the early break through with a wicket each however the real damage was done by John Kenchington with 4 for 31 and James Hudson 3 for 15 combining to reduced Malpas to a struggling state and ultimately defeat by 72 runs.
A day to remember then for a combative 1st team which underlines why they are challenging for league honours and with third placed Cardiff Gym the visitors this week the focus is firmly to quote the old sporting adage on one game at a time.