BRECON Cricket Club 1st team suffered their first defeat for over a year away against Newbridge in the keenly awaited Division One leadership clash.
With three regular players unavailable the omens were not good from the outset for Brecon.
On losing the toss and being asked to bat, in a game which was reduced to only 30 overs a side because of the threatening weather, Brecon struggled with the bat and lost wickets steadily. Richard Lovering was the only Brecon top order batsman to come to terms with the difficult batting conditions with a fine 51no. He received excellent support from talented youngster Tom Wood (23no) in a late innings stand of 40 which gave Brecon something to bowl at. Matt Williams (15) was the only other batsman to reach double figures as the innings fell away to a below par 120-8.
In reply Newbridge cruised to victory losing only two wickets in a chase which concluded in the 26 over. The wicket taker for Brecon was Gethin Phillips with the other falling to a run out executed by Richard Lovering.
In Brecon in a game sponsored by Charles Crooks with George Tudor De Winton the second team recorded a straight forward seven-wicket victory in another reduced overs game to end their losing run in the new season against Dinas Powys 2nd team.
On being invited to bat on a day which favoured the bowlers Dinas Powys batted very sedately to post 122-8 from 35 overs. Fin Starkey led the Brecon seam attack with 2-17 he received good support from Derek Osborne 2-22 with the other wickets shared by John Cooke, Steve Kenchington and Rob Hudman with one wicket each. The other wicket fell to a direct hit run out by Rob Hudman.
Brecon’s reply was built around a busy stand of 98 between Gwyn Price (42) and Terry Dickson, who was in aggressive form, with 54 no from 51 balls to see the win in the bag with 10 overs in hand. The 18 points gained moves Brecon into mid table.
Next week Malpas are the opposition with the 1st team entertaining their 1st team in Brecon whilst the 2nd team are away against their 2nd team.