AFTER two weekends of washouts both Chepstow and Sudbrook made a winning start to their 2012 league campaigns.

A steadfast 67 not out from former Somerset batsman Nick Folland eased Chepstow to a comprehensive six wicket victory over Tondu, while new Sudbrook skipper Ross Lewis led by example as his side beat Pontypridd by 71 runs.

After losing the toss and being put in to bat, opener Lewis dug deep with a superb knock of 97 to help Sudbrook to 211-8 from their 50 overs.

Five other batsmen made it into double figures without going on to big scores with number three Lewis Morgan (27), the next biggest contributor. Morgan and Lewis shared in a second wicket stand of 61 to set up a total that was always going to be difficult for the visitors.

And despite getting off to a reasonable start, newly-promoted Pontypridd never looked like overhauling the 211 needed for victory. Like Sudbrook's batsmen, a number of players started well but were unable to go on. Mitchell Slape (2-24) and off-spinner Mike Shaw (2-14) were the pick of the bowlers as Sudbrook limited the visitors to 140-9 from their 50 overs to wrap up an emphatic victory.

New Chepstow captain Jason Dobbie also enjoyed a winning start to his reign after winning the toss and electing to bowl against Tondu.

From 151-4 the home side crumbled to 169-9 with seamers Malith Madurasinghe and Rhodri Faswitt doing the damage. Madurasinghe finished with figures of 3-33 and Fawsitt 2-30 in the first innings of a match reduced to 44 overs a side.

In reply Chepstow got off to a poor start when opener Zak Watson was dismissed without scoring. Things then went from bad to worse as last year's league young player of the year Jake Kings fell for four to leave the visitors in trouble at 17-2. But with the experience of Folland and captain Dobbie at the crease they soon regained their composure putting on 79 before Dobbie (28) was dismissed by Brett Wadlin to make it 96-3. Madurasinghe came and went for six to leave the game in the balance but an unbeaten partnership of 65 between Folland and Dave Bennett was enough to see them home. Folland, on debut, finished with 67 not out, while Bennett was left unbeaten on 38 to give Chepstow a perfect start to the season.

Both Chepstow and Sudbrook are at home this Saturday. Chepstow face Pentyrch while Sudbrook take on St Fagans who beat league favourites Panteg last weekend.

Sudbrook's second XI also got off to a winning start after 61 from Rhys Pescod helped them to a six wicket win over Pontypridd.

Put in to bat first the visitors were restricted to 161-9 with Geraint Heath (3-12) the pick of the bowlers. In reply Sudbrook recovered from the early loss of Scott Commings to cruise home with six wickets to spare thanks to Pescod, Joe Voke (36) and Jamie Watkins (30).

Chepstow seconds couldn't make it a clean sweep for local sides this weekend despite a superhuman effort from opener Amit Kriplani.

The big-hitting batsmen scored an incredible 121 not out in his side's score of 181. Kriplani's knock - which included 10 fours and two sixes - was all the more remarkable as it came in an innings where no other batsman made it into double figures.

Sadly his century came in vain as a 165 run opening partnership between Clive Holmes (66*) and Ross Evans 89 set up a comfortable victory for the visitors.

Chepstow's third and fourth teams and Sudbrook thirds are still to play a match this season after their games were cancelled due to waterlogged pitches.