FOLLOWING last week's washout, Abergavenny CC's First XV had high hopes of getting their first win of the season against Croesyceiliog.

The day started well, with captain Gavin Heritage winning the toss on an overcast morning and putting the opposition in to bat on a damp pitch.

Croesyceiliog found themselves 37-2, with Dan Cooke and Nathan Byrne exerting early pressure with commendable accuracy. The pendulum swung in Croesyceiliog's favour with a 79-run partnership before another flurry of wickets fell from a spell of threatening bowling from Dinesh Rex and Abergavenny's rising young spinner Scott Greaves.

With Cooke leaving the field for hospital treatment after he dislocated his shoulder following a calamitous collision with a steel upright, Abergavenny had to change their death-bowling plans. Through a combination of determination, good running between the wickets and a few slices of luck Croesyceiliog finished on 226-9 from their 50 overs.

Abergavenny's innings had a promising start, with openers James Hrastelj and Will Glenn looking solid and scoring easily, until Glenn succumbed to an in-swinger trying to force the pace.

A comfortable partnership began to build until two wickets fell in quick succession. Hrastelj chipped a plugging off-spinner to midwicket and Heritage was controversially run out. Abergavenny fought their way to 145-3 with Andy Clarke and Tamoor Zafar playing some excellent shots, and looked set to chase the target down.

Another piece of ill fortune broke the partnership when Tamoor inside-edged a short ball onto his pads, which trickled back and agonisingly disturbed the bails. A monumentus collapse then ensued, with Abergavenny losing their remaining wickets for just 13 runs, ending 68 runs shy of the target.

Abergavenny must rapidly lift the intensity, determination and application if they are to fulfil their ambitions of a high table finish this year. Everyone at the club sincerely wishes Dan Cooke a speedy recovery from what a doctor at the scene described as "a nasty looking injury".

Abergavenny seconds eased to a comfortable victory at Lisvane on Saturday. Captain Gareth Powell led the way with 45, David Glinos chipped in with 32, Richard Roberts hit a quickfire 40, Nathan Holley finished on 27 not out but the top score was veteran Barry Sharpe as he scored 62. 266-6 from 45 overs always seemed too much for Lisvane but they made an excellent start as the openers scored 102 between them.

But wickets soon tumbled with Andy Timpson and Matthew Knight taking three each, Chaitanya Sanapala taking the one wicket and Powell with the last two as Lisvane finished on 192-9.