High flying local rivals Swansea visited Marespool this afternoon (19th) to take on acting Captain Aneurin Norman’s 1st XI. Phil Roche remains side-lined with an injury to his foot.
Front – Harri Turner, Max Phillips, Phil Roche, Retired Scorer John Purnell, Aneurin Norman (Capt), Chris Matthews
After losing the toss, Swansea batted first and were soon into their stride, taking every scoring chance on offer…and there were a few! Captain Brad Wadlan and Steff Roberts fairly scorched the outfield as they posted 56 in just 10 overs!
Then, in-form left arm spinner Jack Straw came on from the top end and duly struck second ball to remove the free scoring Wadlan for 38 (6 fours & a six)..56-1. Roberts went on to top-score with 48, but not before watching almost all his colleagues come & go at the other end! Seemingly well placed at 77-1, Swansea collapsed to 138 all out in the 39th over.
As was the case last weekend, the home spinners did the trick, with the help in particular of 3 sharp stumpings (including Wadlan) & a catch by ‘keeper Chris Matthews.
Jack took 3-25 from his ten overs, Max Phillips (above) claimed 4-32 from ten and Rahul Shah 1-21. Seamers Aneurin (1-22) and Wakeel Shah (1-38) took care of the tail.
In reply, MCC lost an early wicket in the first over but a series of mini partnerships saw Aneurin’s Lads home in some style in the end, to win by 5 wickets in just the 26th over. Chris (22, 4 fours), Gavin Williams (26, also 4 fours), Craig Meschede (30, 6 fours), Max Phillips (16no, 2 fours) and Aneurin (26no, 5 fours) had seen to that! A fine win, guys!
Meanwhile. the 2nd XI also enjoyed a good day, defeating Swansea by 3 wickets at St Helen’s.
Back – Tony Dowrick, Steve Powell, Rhys Davies, Sam Harris, Garteth Baglow, Dave Phillips, Rob Steele
Front – Dave Thomas, Stuart Seaton, John Purnell, Jaimie Thomas (Capt), Adam Lewis-Williams
On this occasion, it is hard to better the candour of Swansea CC after the match, as they posted these succinct and very sporting words on their Twitter page “Completely outplayed today by @Marespool. Fantastic wicket and lightning outfield. Well played @Marespool and all the best until we meet again”. So I won’t even try!! Just the main stats…
Electing to use the favourable batting conditions first, Swansea were restricted to 209-7 before the break, of which Elliott Oates contributed 70 and Ernie Extras 36. Adam Lewis-Williams (3-52), Sam Harris (3-27), Rhys Davies (1-19), Rob Steelo (1-49) & Stuart Seaton (1-13) shared the wickets whist Jamie Sheldon conceded a mere 23 from his 10 overs.
After losing another especially early wicket, Rob (60, 8 fours), Dave Thomas (27, 6 fours), Dave Phillips (42, 7 fours) and Stuart (36no, 5 fours & 1 six) were the main men in the successful run chase, completed in the penultimate over. Excellent stuff, fellas!
Next Saturday (26th), the 1st XI make their way to Ammanford while Ammanford 2nd XI make their way to Marespool. Our ‘A’ XI, who had no game today, play host to Maesteg Celtic at Murton. On Sunday (27th), the 1st XI take on Gorseinon at Marespool, in Round 2 of the Welsh Cup.