Taking pride of place today (1st) was Gareth Baglow’s 2nd XI who comfortably saw off Swansea at Marespool.
Back row – Adam Lewis-Williams, Joe Phillips, George Lloyd, Ben Lloyd. Sam Harris, Adam Frangakis-Williams
Front Row – Warren Lloyd, Owen Williams, Gareth Baglow (Capt), Steve Powell, Stuart Seaton (Photo – Gareth Jones)
After losing the toss before his first game at the helm, “Baggers” himself opened the batting, posting 32 with 15 year old Ben Lloyd (13, 1 four), before he was first out for 12, with 1 four. Joe Phillips came in at number three and duly hit a fluent 35 (2 fours) whilst the middle order of Stuart Seaton (18, 2 fours), Sam Harris (24, 3 fours) and 16 year old Adam Lewis-Williams (43, 5 fours) saw to it that MCC totalled 184-8 from their 40 overs. A fine effort, in this the 2nd XI’s first game since August last year.
The score was always too many for our visitors. ALW was miserly after tea, conceding just 7 runs from 6 overs bowled whilst his new ball partner Adam Frangakis-Williams was equally effective, taking 2-19 from 8 overs. Swansea did reach 99-1 at one stage but they were always well behind the required run rate.
Further tight bowling, and the sharing of wickets between five of the eight bowlers used, saw Swansea collapse to 115-8, finishing on 128-8 at the close. Baggers Boys had strolled home to win by 56 runs! For his top score of 43, tight seam bowling and a run-out, the Chairman’s “Just One Can Of Coke” Man-Of-The-Match award went to young Adam Lewis-Williams!
Meanwhile, across town, Ryan Aingworth’s 1st XI went down by 7 wickets at the hands of Swansea at St Helen’s.
Choosing to bat first, Ryan’s Lads got off to a decent start in this 40 over encounter, with an opening partnership of 44 before wicket-keeper Chris Matthews (21, 2 sixes) left the scene in the 12th over. Fellow opener James Palmer (31, 1 four, 2 sixes) was then one of three wickets to fall in quick succession..66-4 in 18th. All-rounders Dan Lewis-Williams and Max Phillips (18) did their very best to repair the damage, adding 53 before Max was dismissed in the 32nd over, 119-5.
However, any hopes of a final flurry of runs were quick dispelled as 142-6 in the 37th became 143 all out 7 balls later. DLW had notched 56 of that team total from 63 balls faced..4 fours & a maximum.
In reply, the home side got off to a great start, posting 49 without loss from the first 7 overs. Spin took over and this certainly stemmed the flow for the time being..off-spinner Rahul Shah conceded just 17 runs from his 8 overs whilst his left-arm colleague Jack Straw took 3-30 in his 8 overs. At this point the Swansea total read 103-3 from 24 overs..41 runs required from 16 overs. Plenty of time of course for the host club, whilst Ryan’s Men needed to take wickets.
Unfortunately, no more wickets fell as Swansea coasted home in the 34th over.
Next Saturday (8th), our 1st XI welcome Ammanford to Marespool (1pm ko) while the 2nd XI travel to the same club (start 12.30pm). On Sunday (9th), our ‘A’ XI take on Clydach at Marespool..start at 12.30pm.
Support is of course very welcome at our games but PLEASE do NOT come to the Club, or any club, if displaying any symptoms whatsoever of Covid 19.
Furthermore, the Club has worked extremely hard to prepare for the return of our great sport, adhering to the required strict Government regulations. Please respect these regulations throughout your visit to Marespool, especially maintaining social distancing whilst spectating all round our ground.
See also the “News” item entitled “Club Hours” for more info.
THANK YOU!