It certainly has been a bizarre start to the season for new 1st XI Skipper Phil Roche and his team!
First up on 1/5, our 1st XI secured an amazing win at fancied Newport. Then, the weather saw to it that that could not be followed up until today (22nd) when Rochey’s Men travelled to Cardiff..and waited until gone 3pm for the ground to dry out sufficiently to slip in a 30 over game.
Electing to bat first, Cardiff mustered 169-7 before the interval. Jack Straw was the pick of MCC’s bowlers today, with fine figures of 5-18 from his permitted 6 overs. Although wicketless, Aneurin Norman (0-25) and Max Phillips (0-28) were also very economical from their allotted overs. Unfortunately, runs were leaked at the end of Cardiff’s innings, as 63 were scored from the final 6 overs. Of the Cardiff total, opener Umar Malik contributed an excellent 98 from 90 balls faced.
In reply, a quiet start by our men nevertheless looked promising when the scoreboard read 59-1 in the 13th over. However, there was to be no more cheer as the remaining 9 wickets fell for a mere 45 runs within 13 overs..MCC 104 all out in the 26th, handing Cardiff victory by 65 runs. Rahul Shah top scored with 24 (1 four & a maximum) at the end, to add to his earlier taking 2-19.
At Marespool, our 2nd XI lost to Clydach by 20 runs.
Jaimie Thomas won the toss for the hosts and decided to field first in a match reduced to 40 overs a side, after heavy overnight rain had affected things somewhat. The captain’s decision was soon justified as debutant Wakeel Shah (2-16) and fellow seamer Adam Frangakis-Williams (2-38) had our visitors reeling, taking three cheap early wickets.
However, opener Jason Appleby (20) and wicketkeeper Callum Hanney (54) steadied things, whilst late runs from Osian Davies (36no) and Rhodri Jones (16no) helped Clydach reach 156-6 at tea. Rhys Davies (1-19) and Matt Shepherd (1-29) took the other wickets that fell. Spinner Sam Harris also bowled well, yielding only 18 runs from his 8 overs.
In reply, MCC enjoyed a promising start, with Jaimie and Gareth Baglow adding 45 in 11 overs, before “Baggers” was dismissed for 13 (1 four). Then, with the board reading 75-2 in the 20th over, Captain Thomas was run out for 28 (5 fours)..an important scalp for Clydach.
Ben Jones (24, 2 fours), Matt Shepherd (10) and Dave Phillips (16) each threatened to set their side up for a victorious chase but bowler Chris Donne had other ideas. He nipped in to take the final 4 home wickets for just 6 runs from 5 overs! MCC 136 all out in the 36th over.
The ‘A’ XI match at Drefach was cancelled early this morning after the host’s ground had been truly saturated.
Tomorrow (23rd), the 1st XI take on Swansea at Marespool in the Premier League T20 Cup, start 1pm.
Then, next Saturday, they travel to Pontarddulais, the 2nd XI are at home again v Carmarthen Wanderers while the ‘A’ XI play Maesteg at Murton.