After the disappointment of a “rained off” Saturday last week, the Club experienced the greatest day in its history (to date!) yesterday (24th)!!!
In a nutshell, the 1st XI clinched the South Wales Premier Cricket League title in front of a large crowd at Marespool, the ‘A’ XI nailed the West Wales Cricket Association Division One Title (again!) and the 2nd XI won at Sully to remain in 3rd spot in the 2nd XI Division! Not even our Chairman could avoid buying a few drinks after that little lot…..!!
Sully’s 1st XI elected to bat first but, after just 15 minutes play, were soon wondering whether they could start again! 11 – 5 was the score that greeted latecomers to the ground! Noddy had taken 4 wickets whilst Dan Lewis-Williams weighed in with 1 of his own! Nelly soon took two more wickets in the space of 3 runs as the 2010 champions tumbled to 49-7!
Former Minor Counties player Jamie Sylvester (57) & Glamorgan’s Alex Jones (49) worked hard against a rampant home attack to put on 87 for the eighth wicket. After “AJ” was run out by Alex Griffiths, ex-Leicestershire player Dan Rowe added 23no but his side were eventually bowled out for 178. Noddy ended with 4-14 off 9 overs, DLW 1-54, Nelly 2-34 from 12 & Evs 2-22 from 5 overs – in fact, Evs is on a hatrick when he comes on to bowl next Saturday!
After tea, and in only the 27th over of their innings, the Club was crowned SWPCL Champions for 2013!! Noddy (98no, 14 fours & 3 huge sixes) & Evs (81no, 14 fours & just 2 huge sixes) were savage in their assault on Sully’s bowlers! A fantastic win to crown a marvellous season, particularly for Chris Nelson in his first year as captain! Well done to all the players and the guys behind the scenes!
At Murton, Rochey’s Men were also in Championship-winning mode. Two weeks ago, his ‘A’ XI lifted the WWCA Cup – now they were focusing on winning the double!!
And like their mates at Marespool, they won in emphatic fashion to achieve just that! Rochey (4-42 from 10 overs) & Kaps (2-53 off 9) did the early damage but it was Under 14 player Sam Harris who finished the innings off with 4-27 from 6 overs! Nice one, Sam!
After his crustless sandwiches for tea, Tony “Lara” Dowrick smashed another ton, 108 this time, to see his side take the title!! He and Rhys Parry (21) opened up with a stand of 85 before a second excellent partnership of 98 with Alex “Usain” Protheroe (36no) sealed Ynys’s fate! Another dominating year for our ‘A’ XI!! Superb effort!
At Sully, Seats’ Lads chased down the home side’s score of 196 all out to win by 3 wickets in the 41st over…but not without some jitters though!
Recalled to the 2nd XI, seamer Rhys Marchant struck first blow for the Club – Sully 19-1. Decent batting then saw our hosts reach 106-1 when Seats threw the stumps down from square leg to run out opposing captain Ben Callow for 33…a crucial wicket! Messrs Seats (3-42 from 12 overs), Sheldon (4-39 from his 12) & Sheppy (1-30) shared the remaining 8 wickets as Sully slid to 196 all out. Nine bowled and a direct hit runout!
MCC’s innings started well enough as Ryan Wiltshire, enjoying a rare knock up the order, and Owen Davies put on 85 for the first wicket. Ryan notched up 46 runs (3 fours) while Owen struck 6 fours in his contribution of 40. Joe Phillips (19, 1 four) added 33 with Ryan to move the score on to 118 when the first of 4 quick wickets fell for just 18 runs..136-5!
14 year old Will Turner, having such a great year in his first full season in senior cricket, came in at number 7. Although he played only one scoring shot in his knock of 4 runs, he was the other half of a vital stand of 28 with 16 year old Matti Shep (36no, 6 fours & a six). 164-6…then 176-7! 20 runs still needed!
Phew…! Thank goodness for another ice-cool youngster! 16 year old Max Phillips came in to see the job done. His unbroken stand with Shep was just the ticket!!
In our SWCA T20 Cup semi-final today (Sunday), MCC came second to Ammanford. On a sunny day after the night before, Nelly’s Fellas scored 148-6. Alex Griff swatted 62 (4 fours & 2 sixes), DLW 21 (2 fours) & Sheppy plundered 21no (1 four & 2 sixes). In reply, Ammanford raced to 61 before losing their first wicket in the 6th over to offspinner Evs who struck again 2 overs later, 64-2. He finished with 2-33 from his four overs whilst Captain Nelson continued his fine T20 form this summer, taking 2-15 from his allotted four. Under some pressure now, Ammanford crept nervously to 114-5 in the 16th over. A tight finish looked in prospect…until Wales 18 year old Minor Counties player Jack Murphy moved up the gears! Along with Hedd-Wyn Jones (11no), Jack’s breezy innings of 44no saw our opponents home in the 19th over.
Next Saturday sees the final round of league games for our three Senior sides – the 1st XI travel to relegation threatened Cardiff, the 2nd XI entertain Cardiff at HQ and the ‘A’ XI finish their programme at Dafen’s Crown (Seaside) Park.