Exhibit ‘A’..Stuart Seaton’s 2nd XI who came out on top after a great game of cricket v Gorseinon at Marespool yesterday (8th)!
As usual when he wins the toss, Seats elected to bat first. Rahul Shah (36, 4 fours) and the Captain himself (38, 4 fours) combined to take MCC to 75 before Rahul was dismissed. Pete Tuckett (25, 4 fours) and Harri Turner (28, 2 fours) continued the momentum but, Ben Jones (17) apart, the middle/late order fell away somewhat. At the close of innings, our 2nd XI had been bowled out for 169 with 15 overs left to bat.
Hmmm..that sort of score is very often not enough on our own patch so at least one of the Club’s bowlers was going to have to “step up” if his side were to nick this on..
No sign of that man/those men, though, as Gorseinon seemingly got to 51 without alarm against the first three home bowlers employed.
Exhibit ‘B’, m’lord..
OFF SPINNER SAM HARRIS!
Photos courtesy of Gareth Jones
Having to keep quiet whilst on duty at the Central Library in the week, Sam The Man exploded yesterday!
He took the first wicket..Gors 56-1, and seemingly well set to eventually overhaul MCC’s total! However, Sam then also took wickets 2, 3, 5, 6, 9 & 10 to fall! A quite remarkable return of 7-18 from his 10 overs! Fellow “offy” Rahul was not to be outdone, however, as he helped himself to the rest..3-17!
I say “helped himself” and mean it literally…the ten victims were all bowled bar one lbw for Rahul! No catchers required yesterday…a fine fine win by 77 runs!
During his the after-match on-field interview with Mark Nicholas, Captain Seats said “That was a proper game of cricket. However, not often have I gone out to bat with abuse from our own Chairman ringing in my ears..shocking”!!!!!
The Club is investigating!!!
All your correspondent can say to that is that it was a good job “Pompey” was not at Cardiff then!
1st XI skipper Ryan Aingworth won the toss and, after an earlier team discussion, decided to field first.
Following that, and apart from a few classy shots up the his side’s batting order after tea, there was nothing of note to report…from when Ryan injured his groin in the third over & duly left the field never to return, until the 30th over of the Club’s own innings, things were not good!
Basically, Cardiff truly smashed their way in emphatic style to a total of 345-4!! All our bowlers were put to the sword, though Aneurin Norman conceded just 41 runs in his ten overs. His pals therefore went for 304 in 40 overs, including 121 from the final 9! During that final assault, the mother of Cardiff captain, Greg Holmes, had her car windscreen smashed by one of the huge sixes struck!
In return, MCC surrendered somewhat meekly for 147 in the 30th, to leave our hosts victors by 198 runs!
At Murton, the ‘A’ XI were also defeated, by Llandysul, after an absorbing contest!
Basically, each batsman aged over 45 failed whilst those under 16 flew the flag! Not in the least intimidated by a paltry start (24-4!), Sean Davies (run out for 43, 4 fours & a six), Luke Edwards (23, 3 fours), Mike Jarrett (13, 1 four) and George Lloyd (23, 3 sixes!) were a credit to the Junior coaches. Between them, they saved a lot of blushes…Phil Roche’s ‘A’ XI 136 all out.
Buoyed by the pre-nosh recovery of sorts, Phil Roche’s bowlers now had to show some spirit of their own..and they did not disappoint!
George and John Blyth applied early pressure, reducing Llandysul to 17-3 in no time..here we go! Something of a recovery here, crucial wicket-taking there saw the encounter interestingly poised when the visitors’ total read 106-8.. still 31 runs required, 8 wickets down!
However, credit must go the the tail of Llandysul’s team, as they eventually scrambled home to win by 2 wickets! George (3-30), JB (1-17), Rochey (3-19) and Ricky Runout had done their level best to pull a win out of the bag! It was not to be, but a great game nevertheless!
Next Saturday (15th), Clydach, promoted last year, visit Marespool to tackle the 1st XI, our second XI travel to Pontarddulais and the ‘A’ XI take the A48 to Llantwit Major.