Kapilan Radhakrishnan (‘Kaps’) led his ‘A’ XI to another fine victory at Murton yesterday!
Kaps won the toss v Pontarddulais and chose to bat on a rare pleasant afternoon. There were certainly no regrets over that decision as, 40 overs later, MCC’s final score read 290-5!
Opener Alan Harris blasted a fine 121 off 93 balls (13 fours & 4 sixes), with Jon Brearley (21, 2 fours), 17 year old Macsen Denman (51, 5 fours & a terrific partnership of 152 with Alan) and Ben Lloyd (a joyous 48no off 23 balls, 8 fours & a six) all chipping in.
In reply, our guests finished 84 runs short when ending on 206-9. Kaps (1-49). Eurig Morgan (2-44), Ed Harris (1-17) Macsen (1-21), Tom Phillips (1-23), Ben (2-10) plus a neat run-out by Macsen did the damage. A great win, guys – you fully deserve your current league position of 2nd!
Elsewhere, our 1st XI & 2nd XI were each defeated.
At Ammanford, Stuart Seaton’s 2nd XI finished 45 runs short of the home side’s total of 211-5 in their 45 overs. 15 year old Eoghan McKeegan (2-48), Dave Martin (1-50), Steve Maddock (1-36) & Elliott Oates (1-30) shared the 5 wickets to fall.
In reply, Seats’ Sons never got going, reaching 61-5 in the 25th over. Elliott (a patient 79, 6 fours & a six) batted well coming in at number 4 but was lacking in support. Other double-figure scorers were Ben Jones (20, 1 four & a six) and Steve Maddock (23, 2 fours). MCC 166ao in the final over.
At Marespool, an excellent crowd were disappointed at there being no repeat of the 1st XI’s excellent win at Penarth a week ago.
Aneurin Norman elected to have first strike on a great looking track and, after the early overs, it was so far so good – 41 on the board, before Luke Smith (20, 3 fours) was bowled in the 8th.
The decent run-rate continued until Aneurin (23, 3 fours & a six) and Richard Gibby (14, 3 fours) were each dismissed – 65-3 in the 13th over.
Then..capitulation! MCC 99 all out in the 37th over!
In reply, however, there was a glimmer of hop as Aneurin and Jack Straw shared 4 quick wickets! 38-4! Ynystawe rocking!
But, there again, no. There were to be no more dramas as The Blake Brothers eased their side home without further loss in the 20th over.
All credit to Aneurin for his opening burst of 3-36 but it was just not our guys’ day this week, so to speak.
Next Saturday, the 1st XI travel east to Chepstow, our 2nd XI welcome Clydach to Marespool and the ‘A’ XI head up the Heads of The Valley road to Merthyr.