For those too young to remember, that blue stuff at the top of this pic is called “sky”, which is in danger of becoming extinct if the weather of recent weeks & months was to have it’s way!
That the picture could be taken at all yesterday morning at Marespool (22nd) is in itself beyond belief.
Head Groundsman John Blyth had spent most of the last month just staring out from the doorway of the garage, not believing the seemingly never-ending water streaming down the ground into the carpark. Wet or what!
So, to get this pre-season 40 over match v Radyr up ‘n running was just such an unbelievable achievement!
However, the tense stand-off between JB and the weather was to continue later in the afternoon. From the 12.30pm start, the first innings was played in gloom & some rain and the second innings never started! Match abandoned around 3pm!
Radyr won the toss and chose to field first in the cold. As a result of recent meteorological conditions, runs were not going to be easy to come by. So to finish on 189-6 was a fine effort by the home guys.
With both Club fixtures cancelled last Saturday & Sunday, at least a number of batters were able to get in and play a few classy shots, in prep for the league programmes kicking off next Saturday (29th).
Pride of place, however, went to debutant Ed Moger! Studying for a nursing degree at the University’s Medical School, Ed will be with us all season, hopefully in such form throughout!
After Joe Phillips (13), Richard Gibby (12, 3 fours), Elliott Oates (10, 1 four), Greg Thomas (21, 3 fours) and Captain Aneurin Norman (17, 2 fours) had each played a few shots, MCC were 100 – 5 after 28 overs.
Ed had come in by now and, despite losing partner Sean Davies (30, a four & a six) six overs later at 138-6, was into his stride. Supported by Jaden Patel (13no, 1 four), Ed smashed 53no (5 fours & a max) from 47 balls faced. These two lads shivered yet smote 61 undefeated runs between them in the final 6 overs! Great entertainment!
However, during the first fab tea of the season, the rain picked up and that was that, sadly!
Next Saturday, the 1st XI welcome Penarth to Marespool, the 2nd XI travel to Ynystawe and our ‘A’ XI make their way to Llantwit Major.
Good luck to all players, scorers and umpires again this year!
HAVE FUN, EVERYONE!