….the headlines from today’s three Senior outings are –
- The 1st XI lost by 6 wickets at Newport
- The 2nd XI were narrowly defeated by 8 runs by Ynysygerwn after a thriller at Marespool
- The ‘A’ XI won convincingly, by 6 wickets, against Llandarcy at Murton
Let’s start with a defeat….but WHAT a game in the end!!
With Stuart Seaton standing down as 2nd XI skipper for the remainder of this season, Peter Tuckett won the toss v Ynysygerwn at Marespool and chose to let his bowlers have first crack. Luke Brown (remember that name!) responded..”Ynys” 27 -1, then 52-2 when fellow seamer Jamie Sheldon (remember that name too!) joined the party!
There followed a great recovery by our visitors as 108 runs were added before Tucks’ bowlers staged their own comeback. 165-3 became a teatime total of 236-7..Luke (1-35), Jamie (1-48), Seats (1-36), Will Turner (3-33) and Rico Runout (1) had seen to that!
What would Tucks’ Men view be of a post-tea chase of almost 5 an over? A breeze on a good pitch & the Lewis Hamilton paced outfield or a bridge too far after fielding for 50 overs & eating too much tea?!
Ok, let’s cut to the chase (so to speak!)…MCC 92-6, including 33 (3 fours) from Joe Phillips & 20 (2 fours) from the new captain. Game over….surely?
Well, in so far as the 2nd XI eventually did lose by just 8 runs, it was game over. BUT what a fantastic effort by the tail!! Those who had stayed to watch were treated to one of most spirited fight-backs seen for years as 15 year old Adam Lewis-Williams (13, 2 fours), Will Turner (30, 3 fours), Jamie (27no) and Luke (42) had ideas of their own down the order!
That score of 92-6, became 127-7 & then 148-8 when Luke joined Jamie! It is fair to say that Luke’s sharp single was left under his bed a while ago but he’s never forgotten where the boundary rope is! His 4 fours & 3 sixes, plus Jamie calmly collecting 2 fours at the other end, took the score to 226-9 in just 7 overs!
Luke was finally dismissed with 11 runs required from the final over…it was that “bridge too far” as the Club finished on 228ao.
At Newport, the 1st XI were comfortably beaten by last year’s Premier League Champs.
Choosing to bat first on a below par Newport wicket for a change, the Club were seemingly well placed at 114-2 with 20 overs remaining. Harri Turner (a patient 43, 3 fours) and Ieuan Rosser (29, 4 fours) had featured. Then, the stuffing was well & truly knocked out of the side as the home club took 5 wickets for just 21 runs..not helpful! Aneurin Norman (19, 2 fours) David Thomas (15, a four & a six) and Rahul Shah (a belligerent 23, 3 fours) did their best, taking their side to 186 all out.
It was never likely to be enough to be honest as, without our taking early wickets to create pressure on Newport’s strong top order, our hosts won by six wickets with over two overs to spare.
At Murton, our ‘A’ XI strolled to a well deserved six wicket win against Llandarcy.
Batting first, our guests were in a good position..42 when the second wicket fell. Then, thanks to a fine effort by bowlers & fielders, a fair old collapse was seen..101 all out! Basically, if your name was “Alex” it was your day! Protheroe (4-25) and Davies (3-13) share the name and shared the spoils!
After the repast, Carl Lawrence (24, 3 fours), Paddy Jenkins (16, 3 fours), Ian Hoskison (19no, 3 fours) and Tony Dowrick (17no, 4 fours) saw the boys home in the 27th over..a fine victory!
Next Saturday (20th), the 1st XI visit Neath, the 2nd XI play hosts to Carmarthen Wanderers and the ‘A’ XI take on Drefach at Murton, Then on Sunday the 1st XI travel to either Skewen or Ynysygerwyn (playing tomorrow, 14th) for the Quarter Final of the Welsh Cup, start 1.30pm.