And it was the ‘A’ XI who brought the sun out today (3rd) as they strolled to victory over Llandarcy at Murton!
The usual 40 overs per side was reduced to 35 following the rain-delayed start, from which John Courtney’s Lads rattled up a fine total of 197-5. All four top order batsman featured, as Sean Davies (30, 5 fours & a six), Tony Dowrick (44, 7 fours), Jon Brearley (6 fours & 2 sixes) and Adam Lewis-Williams (55no, 11 fours!) took the score to 171-3 between them.
In reply, Llandarcy were never allowed to settle as JC’s bowlers and fielders caused problems from the start. 27 overs later, our visitors were bowled out for 126, to leave the ‘A’ XI deserved victors by 71 runs! Tomos Williams (2-35), Kapilan Radhakrishnan (2-31), Eurig Morgan (4-27), son Gethin (1-2) and Tomos Chivers (1-0) had certainly “done the biz” between them, with nine wickets falling to catches by their teammates!
At Marespool, Phil Roche’s 1st XI elected to bowl first on a still wet ground.
An early breakthrough in the 5th over (22-1), with the consistent Michael Clayden dismissed cheaply by Aneurin Norman, was not followed up until much later, unfortunately. The scoreboard read 129 before the second wicket fell in the 24th over. That soon became 132-3, before sensible yet positive batting saw the fourth wicket pair add 48 in 7 overs..180-4. Rochey’s bowlers continued to plug away gallantly and were rewarded with further wickets before Newport closed on 232-7 from their reduced total of 40 overs. Aneurin (2-24), Max Phillips (1-51), Wakeel Shah (2-46) and Rochey (2-38) shared the wickets this week.
After tea, the locals at Marespool felt a run-rate of just under 6 an over on a typically fine batting pitch and, by now, a dry/quicker outfield was definitely on. Sadly, however, it has to be said that the guys would have been very disappointed with their collective batting performance. Opener Chris Matthews (32, 5 fours) and Wakeel Shah (an entertaining 47, 4 fours & 2 sixes at number 8) were the only contributors of any significance as the team were bowled out for 136 after reaching 54-1 from 13 overs ..defeat by 96 runs inside 32 overs.
Our 2nd XI game at Ynystawe was cancelled owing to the morning rain.
On Saturday (10th), the 1st XI travel to Port Talbot, the 2nd XI welcome Port Talbot to Marespool and the ‘A’ XI make their way to Skewen. Then, on Sunday (11th), the 1st XI drive to Bronwydd for a SWCA T20 Cup tie.