THE weekend saw Brecon Cricket Club 1st and 2nd teams reach the halfway mark in the League season and both record vital victories to enhance their respective promotion challenges.
At home, in a game sponsored by ALD Plant Hire and Civil Engineering Abergavenny, the 1st team bowled out visiting Ponthir for 86 with James Mitchell (4 for 12) and Sam Williams (4 for 33) again in excellent form. The other wickets fell to John Kenchington and Matt Williams with one each.
In reply Brecon’s in form top order had an unexpected hiccup with three wickets going down and only one run on the board. It took all of Andy MacDonald’s experience to right the innings with a solid 38no.
He found steady support from Richard Lovering (18) and Tom Jones (12no) as the Ponthir total was passed for the loss of five wickets.
With League leaders Malpas also winning it sets up a pulsating encounter next week with only 18 points between the teams and 20 points up for grabs.
The 2nd team away at Monkswood 2nd in a table topping encounter took the spoils with a convincing 89 run victory to stretch their lead at the top to 28 points.
Batting first Brecon made a sketchy start with only Rhys Pritchard with a quick fire 20 making any impact. The innings was then put back on track by a powerfully struck 77 from Rod Thomas and with Steve Kenchington chipping in with 27 they formed a vital partnership of 55 runs.
This momentum was maintained by Terry Dickson with 24 no, running well running well between the wickets supported by the lower order, a challenging total of 221 was set.
The Monkswood innings never got going against some threatening opening bowling from Derek Osborne (2 for 19) and Ben Kenchington (1 for 25) and with the spin of Mark Waldeck (3 for 24) throw in it all proved too much for the Monkswood batting.
Captain John Cooke also took 2 for 28 and with Finn Starkey bowling a luckless spell the Monkswood innings ended on 142 for 8. Once again the fielding was of a high standard highlighted by two excellent catches from Steve Kenchington.