THE South East Wales Cricket League was hit hard after torrential rain swept through the area, writes Lyn Hall.

Games at Crumlin, Pontymister, Rogerstone, Newport Fugitives, Malpas, Croesyceiliog and Panteg were abandoned with several grounds quickly becoming flooded.

However, fixtures at nearby Newport and Ponthir were completed, raising once again whether a different method of calculating league positions should be considered.

Only two games were completed in Division One with a comfortable seven-wicket win by Tondu over Blackwood that saw them leapfrog Malpas into second place.

Neil Reardon and Andrew Clark made a good start for Blackwood but, despite five other batters beginning well, no one could give the score any impetus and they had to settle for 181.

The home team lost an early wicket but Scott Thornton and James Hardwick came together to set up the victory.

Miskin Manor were inserted at Radyr in what became a somewhat feisty game and Carl Whitely (55) and Ben Edwards (41), aided by 27 wides, put their side in a favourable position.

At tea they reached 209 off a reduced 45 overs and a further rain interruption saw a revised DLS target of 217.

With only three batters getting into double figures, this was always beyond the home team as they were dismissed for 137 with Nathan Robinson taking four for 17.

In Division Two, Whitchurch Heath took advantage of Newport Fugitives’ inactivity to stretch their lead at the top of the division with a seven-wicket victory over Brecon.

South Wales Argus: TALENTED: Ireland scrum-half Kieran Marmion starred with the bat at cricket for BreconTALENTED: Ireland scrum-half Kieran Marmion starred with the bat at cricket for Brecon (Image: Huw Evans Agency)

They looked in trouble at 35 for 3 but Ireland rugby international Kieran Marmion, who is moving to Bristol from Connacht, played a key role for his hometown club.

The 28-times capped scrum-half hit 69 when he joined forces with Jac Kenchinton (50) to put on 115 for the fourth wicket to push them to 196.

However, Tom Morgan and Chris Vanos got Whitchurch Heath off to a fine start with 95 for the first wicket and they moved swiftly through to a resounding victory.

Newport moved closer to Fugies with a 10-wicket defeat over a disappointing Lisvane, who were 34 for 8 at one stage before a couple of late hits took them to 70.

Mike Provis and Chris Hardy were in no mood to hang around and knocked off the runs in a mere seven overs.

In the most competitive game off the day, St Fagans beat the Vale by two wickets as they reached the home team's total of 197 with just two wickets and two overs remaining.

Only one game survived the weather in Division Three and that enabled Cardiff to increase their lead at the top with an easy win over Cregiau, who could only reach 60 as they tried to chase down a score of 221.

All five games beat the conditions and were completed in Division Four with three of the games being played within four miles of each as other as Barry, Dinas Powis and Sully Centurions all recording victories, while Usk won the local derby as they received Monkswood.

As with the trend for the day, Monkswood were inserted and although Mike Jones (32) and Adam Malson (40) worked hard for the visitors, they lacked support and fell away to 156. With Matt Hancock leading the way with an unbeaten 66, Usk got home with six wickets remaining.