After an indifferent start to the season, Jaimie Thomas’ 2nd XI secured their third consecutive win at Marespool yesterday (26th) when they convincingly defeated Ammanford by 37 runs.
Ammanford won the toss and decided to bowl first, and were soon rewarded with an early wicket..5-1. The second wicket fell at 42, with some alarm bells now ringing at 64-4. Of that score, Captain Thomas contributed 31 (4 fours). Gareth Baglow was joined by veteran Stuart Seaton, who had announced his retirement from playing during the winter. Anyway, he didn’t and it was just as well yesterday as he and “Baggers” calmed local nerves, adding 60 precious runs. Gareth scored 35 (3 fours & a six)..125-5.
At the fall of the next wicket (143-6), ‘keeper Steve Powell joined “Seats” and they calmly took the score to a good looking 234-6 at tea! Stuart notched 74no (5 fours & a six) while Steve ended on 26no (1 four). There were also 53 extras!
In reply, our visitors were bowled out for 197 in the 43rd over.
Ammanford’s two openers did ok at the resumption of play after tea, before Alex Davies struck. Captain Callum Croft stood firm whilst Adam Frangakis-Williams caused mayhem at the other end, taking 3 vital quick wickets. John Blyth eventually dismissed Croft (39). There was some middle order resistance but Jaimie’s bowlers lost no heart as Adam (4-55), Alex (3-42), Luke Edwards (1-39), JB (1-31) and Ben Lloyd (1-16) shared the spoils. A fine win!
Elsewhere, there was no such joy as the 1st XI and ‘A’ XI were each soundly beaten. With margins of 80 runs and seven wickets respectively, there were glum faces leaving Ammanford and Murton yesterday.
John Courtney chose to bat first at Murton against Maesteg Celtic, and there was some fine batting to enjoy before tea. After JC was dismissed for 11, Sean Davies (64, 12 fours) and Joe Phillips (58, 6 fours & a six) took up the reigns as they forged an excellent partnership. Batting at 4, Ian Joslin (23, 3 fours) chipped in but the remainder of the batting order collapsed to 187-8 from the allotted 40 overs. Still, a decent total nevertheless.
Well, Celtic had little respect for that, as they raced to their fully deserved 7 wicket win from 36 overs. Joe Holland (1-34), Jack Rymer (also 1-34) and Tony Dowrick (1-28) shared the only wickets to fall.
At Ammanford, Phil Roche won the toss and asked the hosts to bat first. In return, Rochey’s bowlers & fielders responded well, restricting the host club to 202-5 from 50 overs, on a good wicket and speedy outfield. Of that Ammanford total, Glamorgan’s Billy Root contributed 69. Seamer Gavin Williams was the most successful bowler for MCC, taking 3-39 from his 10 overs. Aneurin Norman (1-19 from 10 overs) and Jack Straw (1-35) were the other wicket takers.
In reply, the 1st XI got off to a poor start, losing early wickets to the young bowling attack, 36-5. Aneurin Norman (30) and Rahul Shah (25) did post 50 in good time for the 6th wicket..even threatening an unlikely challenge to the required winning total. However, after Rahul was unluckily given out lbw despite hitting the ball, there was to be no further support..MCC were bowled out out for 122 with 11 overs remaining.
Next Saturday (3rd) sees the start of the season’s second half. The 1st XI meet Newport at Marespool, the 2nd XI visit Ynystawe and the ‘A’ XI welcome Llandarcy to Murton.