FIVE players hit 30+ averages on an incredible evening in the Gwent Super League, as Baneswell and Pontnewydd went level on points with Chepstow FC at the top of the table, writes Morgan Barrell.

Pontnewydd’s Welsh international Nick Kenny led the way with a phenomenal 37.58 average in his side’s 5-2 defeat of Aberbargoed.

Not to be outdone, Kenny’s opponent Chris Jones also hit the magical 30 mark, as did team-mate Alec Small (34.95), who beat Andy Poole 3-0.

Nathan Mallett overcame Peter Johns to claim the away team’s other point.

The returning Patrick Aldoescu, Mark Blandford, Ray Hardwick and Nathan Treadgold saw the defending champions to victory.

Cross Keys’ Corey Evans (31.45 average) showed his potential in a dominant display against Cwmbran Workies’ Dewi Beynon, although it was a narrow overall loss for Keys.

While Crumlin Rugby veteran Bryan Cook rolled back the years to hit 31.34 in his victory over former teenage prodigy Paul Linwood, as Cook’s team lost 5-2 at Baneswell.

The sides at the bottom of the table, Tredegar Cons and Talywain, showed their capabilities and signs of improvement.

Scott Merritt and Angelo Lao shone for the Newport-based Cons in defeat at Brynmawr, while Chris Jones and his Talywain team-mates Nico Roynon and Jason Blatchford delivered vital points in a home loss.

Dave Power hit the winning double to hand Pontypool victory in the final game of the evening.

Hafodyrynys won 4-3 at Chepstow to move a point behind the leaders, and the Dodger won by the same margin at home to Abergavenny.

The only game tonight sees joint leaders Chepstow FC entertain fellow title challengers Gilfach in a mouth-watering encounter.

A full league programme resumes next week, and the county side travel to Redditch to face Worcestershire in round two of the British Inter-Counties Championship.