As the sounds of Brecon Show washed over the BSA Ground, Brecon's 1st XI hosted Ponthir. The visitors won the toss and chose to field, which quickly looked like a bad idea, writes Dan Gee.

Captain Rhys Pritchard promoted himself to open alongside James Davenport, and the pair made hay in a rapid 122-run partnership. When Pritchard fell for 71, the home team had 300 in their sights. Rich Lovering (30) and Sam Williams (21) made starts, but Davenport found meaningful support lacking and eventually departed for 68.

Brecon reached 262/9 off their 45 overs. A sizeable gauntlet to overcome.

Williams and Lovering reduced the visitors to 63/2, and the home team were feeling good. But reality was just around the corner.

What followed was a masterclass in chasing a big total, compounded by poor fielding. Sam Ayres and Gareth Burkitt manipulated the field, rode their luck and punished anything that needed punishing. The hosts couldn't stop the quick singles, couldn't catch a cold, and though heads never dropped, it was a one-way trip to defeat. Ponthir overcame their gauntlet with two overs to spare and eight wickets in hand. In doing so, they consigned Brecon to a damaging defeat that could pencil them in for relegation.

Brecon's 2nd XI, meanwhile, travelled to take on Ponthir's 2nd XI, knowing a win could help their promotion chances. Like the 1st XI, Brecon were put into bat, and things unravelled quickly.

Only four batters reached double figures, with Tom Marshall top-scoring with 19. The wickets fell consistently, the runs seldom came at all, and 92 all out was the final tally.

To Brecon's credit, they applied themselves well in the field. Huw Griffiths and Marshall bowled excellent opening spells, and at 35/3 after 15 overs, belief almost began to replace hope. But Aled Burkitt’s 44 not out meant that the result was never in doubt.

The chase was completed in the 24th over, and the 2nd XI was able to head back home to see the sights and scuffles of Brecon Show's after-party.

While the results were far from what the doctor ordered, it should be said that on a week where clicking has brought up some fiery conversations on sporting behaviour, both games were played in excellent spirits.