What is it about Aneurin Norman’s 1st XI thus far this season?!!
Four Premier League matches, plus a Welsh Cup tie, and we have had five absolute crackers, with each result not being decided until the very end! Not great for most nervous systems but so exciting and entertaining!
This afternoon, Captain “Noddy” won the toss at Ynysygerwyn and chose to field first. And there was instant payback as seamers Will Easterfield and Greg Handley took a wicket each..Ynys 20 – 2! Skipper and opener Alex McCormack 5no.
His third wicket partnership of 95 with Nathan Davies (30) and the fourth one of 82 with Josh Griffiths (27) turned things round, with the home side on top, reaching 197 in the 44th over..Alex 109no!!
His fine innings was ended soon after, however, as he was chasing late runs..211-5. This was so important to our lads, as surely the final total would now be lower than had he stayed until the break.
The bowlers once again stuck to their task, with “Ynys” finishing on 250-7 – a slightly below par score for a sunny day on this ground, with its one short straight boundary and fast outfield. Will (2-57), Greg (1-15, & a nasty knee injury in the process, meaning he could not bowl more than 5 overs), Jack Straw (1-37) and Greg Thomas (3-46) shared today’s scalps. Max Phillips also did well, conceding just 34 from his 10 overs.
After the interval, Richard Gibby and Joe Phillips started Mumbles’ reply in positive fashion. Joe (10, 2 fours) was first out, 31-1 in the 8th. Elliott Oates joined Rich to take the total to 72 when Dr Gibby got out after hitting a breezy 41 (4 fours & 2 sixes). In strode Greg Thomas, fresh from his exceptional batting last Saturday & Sunday..what today Greg?
These lads added 53 in good time before Elliott (34, 5 fours) was dismissed with the board showing 125-3 in the 28th over..126 required from 22 overs, 7 wickets in hand!
Sacre bleu, Greg followed immediately at 127 – 4! All-rounder Max, in fine form himself so far this term, joined his captain. Unfortunately, today was not to be his day with the bat, as he scored just 6..the score was now 140 – 5 after 32 overs. Wicket-keeper Sean Davies entered the arena for his turn, with a lot of work to be done by he and Aneurin if victory was be clinched!
Cut to the chase, scribe!
These two first “had a look” at the bowlers, then upped the momentum and finally tore Ynys’ attack apart!! They added a magnificent unbeaten 116 in just under an hour/off 92 balls to see their team home with a final maximum from our skipper in the penultimate over to win by 5 wickets..256-5! Teenager Sean, once again so remarkably cool at the crease, contributed a high quality 39no (4 fours & a maximum) to this excellent stand, while Aneurin smashed 79no from just 57 balls faced, helping himself to 3 fours and 8 towering sixes! Top quality cricket for sure!
At Marespool, our 2nd XI came second, losing by 3 wickets to Clydach.
Batting first, MCC totalled 199 – 8 from their 45 overs. Acting skipper Gareth Baglow (31, 4 fours & a six) and Jaden Patel added 92 for the first wicket, followed by 40 from Jaden (60, 7 fours) & J-P Cronje (24). At 158-2, the home side were handily placed but, apart from Mo Shawkat (34, 4 fours & a six), wickets then fell regularly.
In reply, Clydach also started brightly, adding 62 for the first wicket. The second wicket fell soon after (67-2) but there were no further alarms as the middle order batted well as a unit. Clydach coasted home to win by 6 wickets in the 42nd over. Sam Harris (2-31), 15 year old Tomos Chivers (1-26) and 14 year old Theo Morris (1-24) shared the wickets to fall.
At Murton, it was again the away side who took the spoils. Our ‘A’ XI chose to bat first, and were restricted to 153-9 by Dunvant from their 40 overs. Stuart Seaton (17, 3 fours), Dave Martin (38no, 3 fours), George Lloyd (32, 2 fours & 3 sixes), Ben Jones (18, 3 fours) and Paddy Jenkins (15, 1 four & a six) were the main men for MCC.
In reply, Dunvant clinched their 3 wicket win with an over to spare. Captain Eurig Morgan(2-16), Seats (2-27), George (also 2-27) and Owen Williams (1-11) took the wickets today.
Next Saturday (28th), the 1st XI welcome Ynystawe to Marespool, our 2nd XI travel across the city to Ynystawe and the ‘A’ XI go to Drefach. Then, on Sunday (29th), the 1st XI make their way to Llangennech for R2 of the Welsh Cup competition.
GOOD LUCK, MEN!!