South East Wales Cricket League

Division 1

Blackwood Town (156 all out) lost to Sudbrook 1sts (157-1 by nine wickets.

ROB Thorn took five wickets to set up Sudbrook Firsts for a comfortable victory at Blackwood, writes Bob Cypher.

Visiting skipper Jamie Watkins won the toss and asked the hosts to bat first, a decision which soon bore fruit as Mitchell Slape removed opener Andrew Clark for a duck and Thorn had Andi Price caught in the slips by Scott O’Leary for 21.

Although the next two batsmen at the crease contributed 18 runs apiece, Jonathan Lewis and Thorn kept Blackwood on the back foot.

Huw Wilcox made a useful 51 before being run out by Matthew Burton leaving Adam Lusardi to end on 20 not out as the home side posted a below-par 156 all out.

Thorn ended with 5-28 with half of his 10 overs being maidens and Jonathan Lewis claimed 2-33 in a five-over spell.

In reply, Ross Lewis made 56. Despite losing opening partner Matt Spencer for 18, third man in Matt Jones accompanied Lewis to victory with a half century of his own.

“Rob Thorn was the stand-out performer,” skipper Watkins said later.

“It was a good toss to win and the way Rob bowled was magnificent and he thoroughly deserved his five-wicket haul.

“With his constant wicket taking the home side never got going and we were able to start our innings before tea was taken.

“When we restarted, Ross was again untroubled and worked the ball to all parts of the ground for his 50, and Matty Jones was equally impressive scoring his first half century since returning to Sudbrook.”