With a number of Senior players unavailable for today’s Welsh Cup R2 tie, acting Captain Jack Straw took a 1st XI of mixed experience to Llangennech this afternoon (29th).
Jack won the toss and decided to bat first. Richard Gibby hit a typically belligerent 40 runs (5 fours & 2 sixes) from 38 deliveries up front before he was dismissed..59-1 in the 8th over. Fellow opener J-P Cronje was 12no at this point, going on to register his side’s top score after a patient innings of 44 (3 fours & a six) from 60 balls faced.
Elliot Oates (19, 2 fours), Greg Thomas (14, 1 four & a six), Harri Turner (14no, 1 six) and Joe Phillips (9no, 1 four) all tried to force the pace, especially after a crucial rain break in the 18th over out of 40. At this point, MCC were 82-1 but only a further 8 overs of the innings were possible..final score 154-5 from 26 overs.
In turn, the home side also got off to a good start, posting 69 before the first wicket fell. At 91-1 from 16 overs, “Llan” were in a strong position, requiring 64 from 10 overs. However, Jack’s bowlers and fielders were not going to give up here, knowing that taking wickets was the only realistic way to avoid defeat.
From 91-1, our hosts slipped to 142-5! However, it proved a bridge too far as Llangennech took the spoils in the penultimate to run out winners by 4 wickets..final score 155-6. Tomos Williams (1-31), Greg (1-16), Kaps Radhakrishnan (1-18), Mo Shawkat (2-16) and Harri (1-35) claimed the six wickets to fall.
A fine effort by our boys all things considered, it has to be said. As one onlooker was heard to comment “Mumbles played with great team spirit and effort”..long may that continue, eh!