The Great Escape Theme – YouTube
The script had been written during the last eighteen weeks, the scene was set, the cast & crew were assembled, Rhodri Evans’ father, Simon, had even bought himself a 500cc bike recently…time now for action!!!
At 12.30pm yesterday (29th), Chris Nelson’s 1st XI were rooted to the foot of the Premier League’s First Division Table, two points behind St Fagans who were on parade at Pontarddulais.
The awful weather in recent days had threatened to have the final say with the ground at Port Talbot under water midweek. Despite the decent forecast for yesterday, there remained sufficient doubt on Friday evening for the home club to ask if we could bring any spare sawdust in case of need! And we did!
Nelly won the toss and sent his troops into action…MCC were batting first in a game reduced to 45 overs per side. What followed was a great exhibition of stroke play and powerful hitting! Rhodri and Dan Lewis-Williams (14, 1 four) put on 54 in 11 overs for the first wicket….a sound foundation. Ben Francis contributed 22 (2 fours) to the cause but the real stars were opener Evs (63, 6 fours & 2 sixes), Aneurin Norman (55no, 3 fours & 4 sixes) and Alex Griffiths (51no, 2 fours & 3 sixes)…Noddy and Alex figured in a spectacular unbroken partnership of 100 from the final 15 overs! The fine crowd at Port Talbot’s New Mansel Ground were treated to a memorable display of exhilarating hitting! 230-4, innings closed!
After tea, the 1st XI could not afford to take anything for granted, however…the home club had some fine batsmen of their own, and if St Fagans were to win at “Bont”, the final outcome of our game would become irrelevant…we’d be down!
Nelly could not have asked for more from his bowlers. The effort and commitment was there for the many MCC followers to see. PTT put on 46 up front before Ryan Aingworth (1-19 from four overs) took the first wicket. Every one got in on the act then. Spinners Nelly and Max Phillips reduced our hosts to 88-3, including the prize scalp of Wales Minor Counties player Sean Griffiths. Some token resistance took The Pirates’ score to 115, when MCC’s spin twins took a further 3 wickets between them…115-6 now! Max’s final figures were 2-28 from his 9 overs whilst the captain finished his spell with 3-38.
Back came seamers Noddy and Dan..157-6 soon became 165-9 with 3 overs remaining! Despite the hard work of Noddy (1-13 from 8 overs) and DLW (2-34 from 9), PTT held out for a draw. A great effort by Nelly’s Lads, but would their haul of points be enough to secure First Division cricket at Marespool next year? The Bont/St Fagans game was far from over……! An agonising wait now followed!
St Fagans had been bowled out for 140 before tea in a game reduced to 39 overs per side. When the home side were reduced to 41-4 in reply, St Fagans were arguably the favourites to win…! Come on, Bont…dig deep!!
AND THEY DID!!!!! Pontarddulais survived the scare and, bit by bit, edged their way to a fine 5 wicket win in the end, with 5 overs to spare!!
The 1st XI’s improved performances during the second half of the season were rewarded! MCC had escaped! What an exciting finale!
At Marespool, Stuart Seaton’s 2nd XI were soundly beaten by League Champions Port Talbot Town. Batting first, MCC could only muster a total of 160-9…only Gareth Baglow (25, 3 fours), Tomas Davies (45, 4 fours), Dan Grace (45no, 1 four) and Extras (24) reached double figures. In reply, PTT strolled to their 6 wicket victory in the 26th over. Jack Straw was the most successful Mumbles bowler, with 2-40. Despite this defeat, Seats’ Men finished 5th in the division which is a great effort by a young side…well, mainly young!
Our ‘A’ XI had clinched their 5th WWCA First Division Title in 6 years last weekend….a truly remarkable achievement! But all hopes of a final flourish yesterday were dashed when their match at Civil Service was cancelled owing to a waterlogged ground.
Compared with recent seasons, the various challenges faced on the pitch this year were certainly different! Regardless of players’ performances though, there would be no cricket for anyone if it were not for the unpaid and often unsung work carried out off the field by the few.
Sincere thanks therefore must go to 1st XI scorers John Purnell & Dave Norman, 2nd XI scorer Karen Phillips, 2nd XI umpire Dai White, Laura “Teas” Aingworth, Mark Portsmouth, Steve Davies, Nikki Harries, Warren Lloyd, Grant Winter, Nik Patel, Paul Kenealy, Gareth Jones, Roger Jones, John Beer, Jack Straw, Simon Lloyd, ground crew John Blyth, John Courtney & Allan Baglow, Ronnie Varden, Philco, Alan Perrett, Dave Nicholls, Jamie Sheldon, Peter Sheldon and captains Chris Nelson, Stuart Seaton, Phil Roche & Alex Protheroe.