The South Wales Premier League’s own Big Bash kicked off at Marespool this afternoon as the Club hosted Swansea in Round 1 of this year’s T20 Cup..and it was our neighbours from down the road who deservedly came out on top!
Winning the toss, Swansea skipper Brad Wadlan had no hesitation in batting first, and it was he who lead the way from start to finish before the break. His Man-of-the Match knock of 91no (11 fours & 2 sixes) scored off just 54 balls faced, enabled his team to rattle up 159-6 from their 20 overs. The next highest score was 16 (2 sixes) from Laurence Crowney at the end, itself a crucial contribution as the final margin of victory demonstrated. MCC captain on the day Max Phillips tried 7 bowlers but no one came close to matching his own excellent return of 2-8 from his four overs.
After the break, Max’s Men started well enough. Requiring 8 an over to progress in the competition, openers Charles Clist & Chris Matthews put on 39 in 4 overs together before Chris was out for 15 (1 four & 1 six). Unfortunately that early momentum could not be maintained as wickets then began to fall regularly. Charles (22, 2 fours & a maximum) was second to go with the scoreboard showing a total of 47-2 at the start of the 6th over and so it went on..84-5 at the start of the 15th.
Ben Jones (29no, 1 four & 1 six) worked hard in the middle order whilst Richard Gibby, coming in at 7, threatened a miraculous steal from under the Swansea noses. He contributed 27 explosive runs from just 18 balls faced (2 fours, 2 sixes) out of a partnership of 35 in 4 overs but it was alas too late. After Richard was out, the Club still required 41 from a minimum of 11 deliveries, too much to ask of the new batsmen at this late stage.
In the event, the 1st XI finished on 138-6, 21 runs light. A thoroughly entertaining game, however, played in some fine cricketing weather at last!