No typo there folks (for once!)..it was a glorious day for cricket yesterday (31st), in time for the final round of Senior League matches of this season!
So, let’s rip through it..
At Marespool, Aneurin Norman won the toss and elected to send Cowbridge’s 1st XI in to bat first. Correct decision as, before long, our guests had been reduced to 58-5, then 93-6! And this despite “one or two” spillages in the field!
After this domination by our bowlers, Cowbridge bounced back with a worthwhile stand of 95..188 when the 7th wicket fell. Seconds later, Cowbridge were 193 all out!
The Captain (1-9), Eoghan McKeegan (1-24), Max Phillips (4-38), Greg Thomas (2-48) and Alex Oliver (2-42) claimed the wickets. Mention of Jack Straw too who yielded only 30 from his 10 wicketless overs. Sean Davies scooped 3 stumpings and, get this, a bowler was on a hat-trick on three occasions! No hat-tricks though!
In reply, MCC did not hang around! Whilst Aneurin (24, 4 fours) checked out with one of his lowest scores of his magnificent season (86-1 in the 12th), opening partner Luke Smith (a fine knock of 83 from 54 balls faced, 11 fours & 2 sixes), Joe Phillips (22, 1 four), Greg (38no from 21 balls including 18 from one over, 4 fours & 2 sixes) and Max (14no, 3 fours) eased their side to a convincing victory by 7 wickets in 28 overs! Final League position = 5th.
At Ynysygerwyn, our 2nd XI were equally good value for their 40 run win: MCC 225-8, “Ynys” 185 all out in the 42nd of their 45 overs.
No match stats available at the time of scribing BUT..worthy of note to say the least, however, were the efforts of 14-year-old Dan Board who was only asked to play a couple of hours before the start!
If the 2nd XI were to finish as runners-up in their Premier League Division, maximum points were needed from this match, including the full quota of batting and bowling bonus points!
So, six required from the last ball of our innings. DB strode down the pitch, and smashed the ball into the trees for that 6 to enable his team to reach the magical score of 225 for that 5th batting point!!
THEN, after the break, we needed to bowl Ynys out to achieve full bowling bonus points.
At 185-9, it was getting tense! Ok, barring something remarkable from the home side, we were going to win, but what about that important 5th bowling point?
Anyway, no probs! The Ynys batter put the ball high in the sky on that sunny day and Cool Hand Dan was under it! Never in doubt – the last guy was out! Great evidence of just some of the talent coming through our Junior Section these days! We salute you, young man!
At Llandeilo, there was another canter to an impressive win..by the newly-promoted home club against our ‘A’ XI!
After winning the toss, “Llan” notched 201-9 in their 40 overs. Kaptain Kaps (3-27), Dave Martin (1-30), 14-year-old Tom Phillips (2-37), 15-year-old Sam Martin (2-15) & Reggie Runout (1) claimed the wickets that fell.
After the interval, our people were somewhat jaded after their sterling efforts this season and rather keeled over..22 all out! Despite this, our ‘A’ XI also finished in 5th spot, in SWCA Division 5.
All three scorecards can be found at https://mumbles.play-cricket.com/Matches
No games now of course, but there are many many folk to thank for their sterling efforts again this year!
In no particular order, everyone should be extremely grateful to all our Senior & Junior cricketers, those parents who help & support, those involved in the administration of our playing sections & in the coaching of all our cricketers, the Club’s Officers & Committee members, our ground staff & maintenance team, the squad who help out behind the bar, those involved in the Club’s catering, our Safeguarding Officer and Health & Safety Officer, our scorers, our sponsors & advertisers, the events managers, our suppliers and each of our ever loyal members.
There’s a ‘helluva’ lot involved in the running of Mumbles Cricket Club and there can never be enough hands on deck!
If anyone not presently involved can see their way clear to help in any way, please get in touch to chat!
THANKS AGAIN EVERYONE!