Without five guys who played last Saturday, Aneurin Norman was certainly skippering a 1st XI with mixed experience at Cowbridge this afternoon! But, boy did these guys put their hands up!
Let’s get it right..our lads were defeated in the end, but not disgraced for sure!
The home side chose to bat first, and against Aneurin with the ball in his bowling hand for the first time for a month. With some discomfort, he took 2-14 from six overs!
Opening the bowling with “Noddy” today was debutant Craig Barrington, the seventh opening bowler used by the 1st XI in six league matches this season! And he was superb, conceding a mere 21 runs from his spell of 10 consecutive overs! He took a an early wicket too, to reduce Cowbridge to 29-3!
The middle order played well, however, taking their total to 155 when Max Phillips (1-58) took the 5th wicket to fall. Further steady bowling, plus a Harri Turner run out, saw the remaining wickets fall for just 44 runs..199 all out in the 45th over! Neither Aneurin or Jack Straw(1-47) were required to bowl again. Why, some readers might ask?!
Well, 15 year old Tomos Williams, drafted into the side today after some impressive performances so far this season, took 2-13 and Sam Harris returned fine figures of 2-39 from 3 deliveries short of his quota of 10 overs!
That’s why – a truly fine team bowling effort! And, having averaged 16 wides per league match so far this term, the control was also greatly improved..just 3 bowled today!
Four an over to win, then! Let’s go!
Elliot Oates, promoted to open the innings, weighed in with 33 runs, including 3 fours. His partner Joe Phillips (22, 2 fours) was first out, however..49-1 after 15 overs. A solid start!
Unfortunately, the next three lads could not take full advantage of this platform..88-4 in the 29th. The run rate had fallen too.
Aneurin was 12 not out at this point and, for a while and not for the first time this year, he and ‘keeper Sean Davies (15, 2 fours) were doing all they could to make Cowbridge feel twitchy! They added 41 in good time, before our captain was dismissed for 40 (1 four & 3 sixes)..129-5 now, in the 36th over. 71 required from 14 overs!
Alas, it was Cowbridge who eventually took the spoils..MCC were bowled out for 149 with six overs remaining.
But, fair play to some of our less experienced lads, as they certainly ensured that Aneurin has to think hard about his selection in the weeks ahead!
The trend of non-availability, players coming out of retirement, players playing whilst not fully recovered from injury and Junior players loving the opportunity earlier than perhaps expected continued with our 2nd and ‘A’ XIs too.
Both sides won the toss, both sides batted first and both sides were on the losing side against stronger teams on the day.
At Marespool, acting captain Phil Roche was in charge of the 2nd XI against Swansea. Up front, Mike Jarrett (20, 3 fours) and Jon Brearley (47, 3 fours) took their team to 81 when Mike was dismissed..now 81-2. There followed a flurry of wickets..107-5.
Rochey and Mo Shawkat came together and did really well to take the total to 173 before Mo fell lbw. He had posted 27 runs (3 fours). Despite Rochey’s entertaining knock of 47 (6 fours), 173-6 soon became 196 all out in the 45th & final over of the team’s innings.
After tea, Swansea were hardly troubled in reply. 42-1, 83-2..and an 8 wicket victory from just 24 overs! Harry Bryant hit 105no in the process, whilst Tom Richards took both wickets to fall.
Round the corner at Murton, our ‘A’ XI lost to Llandarcy by 5 wickets.
Our boys mustered 132 all out in the 33rd over, with Alan Harris (24, 3 fours & a six) and Vinnie Sabharwal (41, 8 fours on debut) top scoring. Unfortunately, having reached 96-3 at one stage, our innings fell away somewhat but this was hardly surprising, given the pre-match availability situation.
After the interval, our visitors lost just 5 wickets when the winning line was crossed in the 25th over. Eurig Morgan tried 7 bowlers and, in turn, everyone tried their hardest.
Our wicket-takers were Dave Martin (2-32), Stuart Seaton (1-13) and 13 year old Macs Holland, who more than demonstrated his promise as he claimed 2-5!
It would be improper to not thank (a) those who worked so damn hard to find 33 players for today, (b) to thank all those not so regular players who rallied to the Club’s cause and (c) to gratefully acknowledge everyone’s efforts during each game this afternoon. It says so much for the Club as a whole that such spirit was on show..well done, men! We move on!
Next Saturday (11th), the 1st XI return to Marespool where they take on Chepstow, our 2nd XI travel yo Ynysygerwn whilst the ‘A’ XI pitch up at Maesteg Celtic.