Newly appointed 2nd XI skipper Joe Phillips really had reasons to be cheerful after he returned to HQ from Gorseinon last night!
Three reasons, in fact – he won the toss (& batted), his lads won the game by 30 runs and he scored 65 (9 fours) out of the team total of 152 all out! Nice one, Joe!
Not that it was plain sailing before the interval..is it ever with MCC?! After opener Joe, the next highest score from the bat was debutant Craig Barrington (14, 3 fours), with Emyr Extras lobbing in 35 runs. Joe apart, wickets fell regularly en route to that final score in the 38th over.
The match trend continued after the break, with Rhys Davies (1-15), Stuart Seaton (2-21), Craig (3-35/welcome aboard!), Sam Harris (2-36) and Ben Jones (2-14) ensuring the steady flow of falling wickets..job done in the 35th over!
At Marespool, 1st XI Captain Aneurin Norman also won the toss and chose to have first knock v Pentyrch.
And everything was just dandy for 23 overs as first openers Charles Clist (68, 10 fours & a six) & Richard Gibby (29/5 fours) put on 74. After Rich was dismissed, Craig Merschede (39, 7 fours from 46 balls) helped Charles continue the momentum with a stand of 68. Sadly, however, Craig was run out with the board reading 138-2..27 overs left/8 wickets in hand, though, so bags of time to put the game to bed!
Writers of whodunnits are always seeking to keep their readers wanting to turn the page via twists and turns, and so it was here! 138-1 soon became 150-5, with “Clisty” out!
Max Phillips had just arrived at the crease, and needed support if he was to rescue things. He duly kept his head, but support was needed. The cavalry arrived as first Adam Frangakis-Williams (12, 1 four) contributed to a partnership of 36, followed by Junior Section product Sean Davies’ part in a great stand of 57 with Max. Debutant Sean scored 24 (2 fours) and was unflappable. So, at tea, MCC totalled 255-7.
After the break, our visitors were soon into their stride in reply, adding 96 for their first wicket from 22 overs. 96-1 became 163-5 in the 40th over..93 need from 10 overs! And our captain restricted to just 5 overs (for 7 runs!) at the start, owing to injury.
The run rate crept up but, crucially, wickets were not being taken now. It all became a bit tense but, in fairness to Pentyrch, they made the most of a dropped catch to win by 5 wickets off the final ball! And, just to rub it in, the ball after the spilled catch made a right mess of one of the windows to the ladies! The inner pane within the double-glazing held, however!
At Llandysul, our ‘A’ XI also came second, going down by 5 wickets to our hosts. MCC 170-6, innings closed..Llandysul 171-5 in the 31st.
Choosing to field first, the home side took an early wicket, but opener Joe Holland (40) and Will Turner (30) batted well together to improve matters. Then, Dave Martin (31), Tony Dowrick (13, & with one eye on the tea that was appearing!) and Kapilan Radhakrishnan (25no) took over, posting a competitive total at half-time.
After the break, 16 year old Joe wasted no time in returning to the action as he claimed two early scalps..Llandysul very little for 2! All looking good! However, Meurig Jones (44no) and Llewellyn Hughes (73) had other ideas, as they steadied the ship. Another 16 year old in Hugo Lewis (1-25) and Tony (2-14) had success but it was too late, alas, as Craig Gordon (17no) joined Meurig to see their lads home in the 31st over.
Next Saturday, our 1st XI visit Gorseinon, Carmarthen rock up to take on our 2nd XI at Marespool whilst Eurig Morgan’s ‘A’ XI play host to Ynystawe at Murton.
Then, on Sunday 8th, the 1st XI play Dafen at Marespool in the Welsh Cup Prelim Round, start 1pm.