Glamorgan's Callum Taylor made a magnificent unbeaten century as Newport extended their lead at 
the top of the SWPL. 

An unbroken 164 run 3rd wicket partnership saw Newport ease to a vital win against a Swansea side 
who have their own aspiration of winning the league title.

Callum Taylor sees Newport home with a brilliant 102 not out

With just 2 points separating the two teams before the game, the head to head at Spytty Park 
was always going to be a vital game in the run in. The day started on a good note for both teams, 
with news that 3rd placed St Fagans, were rained off at Ammanford.

Swansea Captain, Brad Wadlan won the toss and had no hesitation in batting, however in damp 
conditions it was a decision he would regret.
In the first over of the game Swansea opener, Steffan Roberts was trapped LBW by Tegh Sehgal, 
quickly followed by Osian Webber and the prize wicket of Brad Wadlan, both off the bowling of 
Callum Taylor as Swansea made a disasterous start falling to 36 - 3. Worse was to follow as fellow 
off spin bowker Don Aberwardena, claimed the 4th Swansea wicket of Will Davy with the score on 
44-4 0ff 17 overs.

The Fifth wicket pair of Cameron Hemp and Gareth Hayden dug in and began to build a very useful 
partnership, however just as they were looking to up the run rate, the partnership of 120 was broken, 
Hemp being trapped LBW off the bowling of Mujahid Ilyas for a good 71 with the Swansea score on 
160-5 off 41 overs. Hayden quickly followed for 58, again falling victim to Ilyas and Swansea were 
171-6 off 43 overs. In the race for quick runs the Swansea late order began to take chances, but 
it was that man Ilyas who had other ideas claiming 2 further wickets. A fine run out by Morgan 
Bevans saw the Swansea innings end at 209-9 off the allotted 50 overs.
All the Newport bowlers bowled well, Tegh Sehgal 1-44 off 10 overs, Hasnain Nawaz 0-31 off 10 overs, 
Don Aberwardena 1-31 off 10 overs along with Taylor 2-26 off 10, but it was Ilyas who proved to be 
the star of the show claiming 4-61.

In reply the Newport openers of Harry Friend and Michael Clayden looked comfortable against 
a good Swansea seam attack, but they suffered a blow as Friend was out for 3 with the Newport 
score on 14-1. Enter Callum Taylor, last years' SWPL leading run scorer with a mind blowing 
976 runs (Averaging over 81). He had to batle gallantly to begin with, as the Swansea attack 
looked for a further breakthrough. He had the perfect foil at the other end with Mike Clayden 
again looking solid in helping to blunt the opening attack. However, just as Newport were getting 
on top a mix up led to Clayden being run out for 21 with the Newport score on 45-2 off 15 overs.

At this stage the game was very much in the balance, Newport captain Morgan Bevans joined Taylor 
and the pair began to dig in. With runs difficult to come by, the pair knew the importance of a solid 
partnership and at the drinks break, although Newport had only managed to score 82 off 25 overs, 
importantly they had not lost any further wickets. Taylor was beginning to play more aggressively 
and Bevans was happy to support him with good running between the wickets and 'no risk' cricket. 
Taylor was looking very impressive reaching his 50 in the 29th over off 73 balls and Newport had 
moved their total to 105-2 off 30 overs and a close finish was looking on the cards. 

Swansea tried everything to break the partnership but the Newport batsmen held firm and runs 
began to flow more freely, with the fielders looking somewhat dejected. It was time for Newport 
to press their advantage home, Taylor switched gears and took charge of the situation and Bevans soon 
followed. In the next 10 overs Newport took the game away from Swansea, boundary's by Taylor and 
Bevans to all parts of the ground saw Newport to 172-2 ov 40 overs. With just 38 runs required, the 
game was nearly done, Bevans had reached his own fifty and the pair could enjoy themselves, the only 
question being, could Taylor reach his century? Of course he would! With 10 needed to win the match 
and 10 to reach his milestone, he played two magnificent shots, a straight 6 which sailed over the
Long off boundary and a perfectly guided leg glance for 4, to bring up the match winning runs and 
his own personal century. Bevans had provided superb support, ending with a fantastic 76no, which 
included 7 fours in 93 balls and Taylor a majestic innings of 102 not out which included 7 fours and 
2 sixes in 117 balls. 

Morgan Bevans 76no, shared an unbroken 3rd wicket partnership of 164 with Callum Taylor

The match winning unbroken partnership of 164 runs for the 3rd wicket, seeing Newport home to 
a comprehensive 8 wicket win, cementing their place at the top of the SWPL, 16 points above Swansea 
and 18 points above St Fagans, with just 4 games remaining of the season.

Full Scorecard
https://newportcc.play-cricket.com/website/results/5548922

League Table
https://newportcc.play-cricket.com/website/division/108558

Other Scores
SEWCL Div.2 - Newbridge 171-9 (Michael Provis 3-31, Phil Maclean 3-45)
Newport 2nd's 175-2 (35.3 overs)  (Tom Evans 64no, Michael Provis 78no)
Newport 2nd's won by 8 wkts

SEWCL Div. 6
Pontypridd 2nds 221-9 (Dean Cosker 3-28, George Chorley 3-380
Newport 3rd's 138-10 (Dean Cosker 34, Harry Wallace 227)
Newport 3rd's Lost by 83 runs

SEWCL Div.11
Newport 4th's 461-5 (40) (Abid Masood 143 (20 Fours, 1 six), Mohammad Irfan 90 (13 Fours, 1 Six), Hassan Khan Snr 61)
Fugitives 3rds 137-10 (Haroon 3-21, Jacob Protheroe 3-23)
Newport 4th's won by 324 runs  (Is this a record Win?)