For the first time this season, all three Senior XIs were defeated yesterday (8th).
At Marespool, Aneurin Norman’s 1st XI were well on top when the scoreboard confirmed Clydach’s score of 82-6 at the start of the 30th over, top order all gone. However, in came the gladiatorial Jack Todd!
It was a shame he wasn’t in Tenerife or somewhere to be honest, as he then smashed his way to 93no at the end..236-9! Jack’s brutal innings included 10 fours & 4 huge sixes! And full credit to those who supported him from the other end!
The Captain was his usual miserly self taking 2-8 from his 10 overs, with Rhys Davies (4-55), Max Phillips (1-29), Jack Straw (1-61) and Greg Thomas (1-44) claiming the rest between them. One final stat, to be of particular relevance later on: there were 36 extras in Clydach’s total, including 28 wides.
In reply, our lads got off to a decent start on what was still an excellent batting wicket and M25 paced outfield. Aneurin (22, 2 fours) was first out at 46 in the tenth, soon followed by fellow opener Elliott Oates (24, 3 fours)..60-2. This very quickly became 85-5 in the 27th over, when Max Phillips (30, 2 fours) & Harri Turner (40, 4 fours) got together and batted fluently. They added 69 for the 6th wicket and might have even nicked the game if they had been able to stay together.
Well, Harri was then dismissed via an excellent catch, and the tail crumbled thereafter. 191 all out in the 46th over. Clydach thoroughly deserved their 45 run victory, during which they reminded everyone how catches win matches.
At Neath, our 2nd XI were well beaten by eight wickets.
Batting first, MCC totalled 211-7 at the break, with contributions coming from acting skipper Jaimie Thomas (16), Joe Board (27), Jon Brearley (73), Tom Chivers (30) & Stuart Fagg (14no).
After the break, Neath simply shrugged off the challenge before them as they raced to victory with eight overs of the match remaining.
Finally, arguably the team effort of the day was that of Pontarddulais v our ‘A’ XI on their own patch. Having been put into bat, “Bont” helped themselves to 315-2 from their 40 overs, with the Jones Destroyers, Liam & Peter, scoring 171 & 84 respectively!
In reply, Eurig Morgan’s Lads batted with spirit but to no avail in the end, as they finished 55 runs short when bowled out for 260 in the 37th over. The main contributions came from Alan Harris (69, 13 fours & a six), Lewis Francis (38, 5 fours & a six), Stuart Seaton (33, 5 fours), Matty Jovic (29, 2 fours & 2 sixes) and Dai Holland (52 (7 fours & 2 sixes).
Next Saturday (15th), the 1st XI travel to Dafen, the 2nd XI welcome Ammanford to Marespool and our ‘A’ XI make their way to Llandysul