Crickhowell travelled to Goodrich on Saturday and after some confusion over who had actually won the toss, with both teams preparing to field, it was the Goodrich team who had to send their batters in to pad up.

With the weather threatening, it looked like a good toss to win, but for Crickhowell it proved to be no advantage as they were forced to bowl with a wet ball, which was difficult to control and had to be changed several times, and field in a constant, light but persistent drizzle.

The Goodrich openers, could bide their time and wait for the bad ball, and Griffiths (29) and Tookey (43) made life difficult for Crickhowell. It was Nick Francis who managed to trap them both LBW before Joseph Bowker, bowling down wind at the other end, was able to extract a bit of extra life from the wicket, to induce edges from O’Brien (0) and Jackson (8) both smartly caught behind by wicket keeper Ryland Wallace.

This though, only brought Brown and Provis to the wicket, who then set about building a formidable total. Phill Bowker managed to get Provis (46) caught in the deep by son Joseph, and also clean bowled Charlesworth [2] and had Lowther (12) stumped by Wallace. Brown (113*). However, riding his luck with a plethora of half chances offered, but not taken, he strode his way to an unbeaten century and saw his side through to post a very challenging 292 for seven at tea.

With the weather brightening up after the break, Goodrich had the benefit, not only of a dry ball to bowl with, but also a wicket to bowl on, that still had that little bit of extra life in it, to trouble most batsmen.

It was therefore clear, early on, that chasing down nearly 300 runs was never a viable option for the Crickhowell batsmen, with several still yet to hit true form this season, so the priority here was to bat out time for a ‘loosing draw’, which would at least earn the team valuable batting points.

To their credit, all the batsmen battled hard and none gave their wicket away cheaply. Watts (21) showed the way at the top of the innings, and Jenkins (17) and Joseph Bowker (20) along with Francis (10) and Ben Bowker (10) all occupied the crease for long periods.

Goodrich however, were able to chip away, and it took the experienced Wallace (17*) to remain unbeaten at the end to see his side through to 158 for nine at the close, to gain those extra points.

All the Goodrich bowlers used the conditions well, but it was Brown who cashed in with three for 20 at the end, to seal his ‘man of the match’ award.

Next week, Crickhowell are at home to Woolhope and Goodrich travel to Garnons - the winner of which could well be setting down a marker as ‘champions elect’ come the end of the season.