Alex Protheroe’s ‘A’ XI made it three wins from three games played in their first season in SWCA’s Division 7!
Batting first against Kidwelly at our Murton ground, Alex’s Men raced to 315-4 in their 40 overs…a truly exceptional effort! And it was Rhys Parry who led the charge with a superb knock of 106 (10 fours & a six), his first senior hundred for the club! Rhys was ably supported by fellow opener Tomas Davies (49, 8 fours & a six), Joe Phillips (63, 8 fours & 1 six), Will Turner (42, 6 fours) & Captain Al (21no, 1 four & 1 six). In reply, our visitors surrendered meekly to MCC’s bowlers..87 all out, including 48 from John Ogilvy & 20 extras! Kaps (2-8), Adam Frangakis-Williams (3-17), Sam Harris (1-9) and Will Turner (4-6) shared the honours. Victory then by 228 runs!
At Marespool, Aneurin Norman’s 1st XI lost the toss and had to make do with bowling first on a typically high quality wicket, lovingly prepared by John “JB” Blyth. The captain opened the bowling with Rhodri Evans and they, along with first change bowler Dan Roberts, had last year’s Premier League Champions in some trouble at 60-3, from 11 overs..1 wicket each. Isn’t cricket just such an easy sport?!
Well, no..actually! Bridgend captain Tom Baker and former Glamorgan & Mumbles all-rounder Darren Thomas came together and proceeded to give a master class in middle order batsmanship to the good crowd present. They added 118 runs in 23 overs, without seemingly breaking sweat. DT was first out for 49, including 7 fours and a lot of skilfully placed singles. Skipper Baker then added a further 69 runs with another ex Glammy man in Alex Jones (34, 4 fours)..247 – 6 in the 45th over after Cameron Protheroe had held a magnificent catch to dismiss Jones. Baker was eventually dismissed for a fine score of 118 (6 fours & 2 sixes)..final total 285-8. Danrob was easily the most effective home bowler, taking 3-54 from his 10 overs.
286 to win then…a tall order maybe but given the quality of JB’s wickets and the fast Marespool outfield, such a chase is always possible. However, it needed one of the top four batsman to play a Bakeresque innings..and unfortunately that did not happen. Evs (14), Cam (18), Dan (29), Max Phillips (45) and Aneurin (50) all looked in form but a few loose shots here ‘n there meant wickets fell regularly, putting paid to any prospect of a successful Mumbles chase. Former team captain Chris Nelson (35no, 4 fours) then used his experience to ensure that his team earned maximum batting bonus points, and an honourable draw in the process…MCC 230-7 at the close.
Stuart Seaton marched his troops to Ynystawe and duly batted first. 50 overs later, his side had raced to 293-7 innings closed. After tea, Seats’ bowlers lacked the fire to claim yet another win…the host club were 247-7 at stumps. Specific details will be included here asap.
In our Welsh Cup Round 2 tie at Kilgetty today (5th), MCC strolled to a straightforward win. Put into bat, Ryan Aingworth’s team amassed 275 in their 40 overs with Stuart Seaton top scoring with 55no. In reply, Ryan (5-31) and Jack Straw (3-26), backed up by fine fielding throughout, saw to it that the game was over at 6pm…Kilgetty 111 all out in the 25th over. The Club will face another away game in Round 3, as they travel to Ammanford on Sunday 26th June, the day after the Premier League 1st XI clash against Ammanford at Marespool!
Next Saturday (11th), the 1st XI visit Neath, the 2nd XI take on Neath at Marespool and the ‘A’ XI also have a home fixture, against Llandeilo at Murton.