On the final day of the season yesterday (31st), and as was the case last weekend, all three Senior sides won their games…& Tony Dowrick hit a ton!
This year’s Premier League Champs went to Cardiff, champions in 2011 but now staring at relegation. Unusually, Nelly actually won the toss..& decided to bat first.
Last Saturday saw Noddy & Evs score 181 together to thrash Sully by 10 wickets – this week they mustered 2 between them! 3-2 soon became 10-3, as England Under 17s captain Nye Donald departed. Oh dear, Nelly…what had you done?!
Dan Lewis-Williams was next out, for an excellent 41 (7 fours & a six) out of a partnership of 73 runs, 83-4 – Darren was at the other end.
At 136-6, things were looking good for the precariously placed home side – but DT was still there. Alex Griffiths strode to the wicket, looking full of intent. He & Darren set about sorting things out for Nelly’s team, putting on 83 precious runs in just 44 minutes! DT was finally out for 99 (12 fours &, unusually, no sixes!)….a terrific innings! Nelly & Hempy took 16 off the final over, to end proceedings on 246-9….not bad after the disastrous start! And mention must be made of Cardiff’s two highly promising young spinners, 13 year old Kiran Carlson & 14 year old Prem Sisodiya. Kiran conceded just 20 runs from his 6 overs, while Prem starred, taking 4-56 from 10 overs, & that spell included the 16 slogged in the 50th!
To avoid relegation, and knowing what was going on elsewhere in the league, Cardiff had to win to have any chance of avoiding the dreaded drop. Well, they didn’t….in fact, our 1st XI demonstrated why they are the new Champs as, in just 31 overs, they dismissed their hosts for 140 to win by a massive 106 runs! Glamorgan’s teenage allrounder Ruadhri Smith top scored with an enterprising 69 but no-one else scored more than 11. Noddy was miserly to the end, taking 2-16 from 6 overs, DLW took 1-49, Nelly chipped in with 2 late wickets and Danrob pulled off a great runout. However, as has been the case so often this term, it was Dan Roberts the bowler who triumphed, taking 4-28 from 10 overs.
Check out our play-cricket site for all the stats for each of our XIs – in summary though, Dan finished top wicket taker in the Premier League with 43 scalps whilst Noddy was second highest league run-getter with 721, Darren was third with 579 & Evs finished in 6th spot with 511 runs. Noddy also took 21 wickets, despite an injury preventing his bowling in 5 games, with an economy rate of only 2.74 runs per over, bettered only marginally by Glam’s Dean Cosker & Mike Reed. However, they bowled only 59 overs between them compared with Noddy’s 122!
At Marespool, Seats’ Seconds saw off Cardiff in a close & exciting game!
Cardiff batted first & were soon reduced to 6-1 as Luke struck! At 115-3, our visitors were well placed to build a formidable total, but Seats’ Men stuck to their task admirably however, taking 5 more wickets for 79 runs. Luke (2-21 from his quota of 12 overs) led the way, with fine support from 16 year old Shep (1-39 from 12), 16 year old Max (2-19 from 3), student Jamie Sheldon (1-44 from 12) & the captain himself (1-37 from 7). Cardiff had notched 194-8, including top scorer “Wides”…on 45!
After Jen’s final great tea of the season, MCC were soon 10-1 & 33-2! Ellis joined opener Tom Davies and they steadied the ship somewhat putting on 57 for the 3rd wicket. 90-3 became 119-4 when 14 year Tom left the scene with 72 runs to his name – this gem of an innings included 8 fours! Then, for a while, some jitters seemed to kick in as the 2nd XI struggled to 158-8. No probs though…as yet again Max “No Nerves” Phillips rescued the situation with a crucial 29no (2 fours) – this, together with 18 year old Ryan Wiltshire’s 10no, produced the 37 runs needed to clinch a great 2 wicket win in the 48th over! This was enough to ensure that our 2nd XI finished third in the Premier League 2nd XI Division! Top effort, lads!
At Dafen, it was deja vu as Tony Dowrick danced his way to yet another century! He (116, 19 fours & 2 sixes) & 17 year old Ben Jones (an excellent 81 with 14 fours & 4 sixes) put on 187 for the first wicket. The ‘A’ XI’s not out expert Alex Proth picked up 20 runs at the end to ensure that this season’s WWCA First Division League & Cup Winners finished on a mighty impressive 249-4 off their 45 overs!
The game was won by Rochey’s Boys in the 38th over, when Dafen were eventually skittled for 168. Tabbsy, Chandra, Rochey & Jack Straw all claimed a wicket but it was 16 year old seamer Jack Dunn who emerged as the match winner, taking 4-16 in 5 overs!!
So, as we all know by now, 2013 was a truly great year for MCC! The players of all our teams have each played their part & deserve all the plaudits handed out.
However, as we also know, such success is not just down to the on-the-field performances. It would be quite wrong therefore not to thank the likes of Chairman Mark, groundsfolk JB, JC, Allan & Nick, captains Nelson, Seaton & Roche in their first years at the helm, Gareth, Roger, Simon, Peter, Uncle Ken, Philco, Ronnie, all our coaches including Darren, Steve, Richard, Reg, Alex, PK, Warren, Doug, Rochey & Burge, bar guys Angela, Amanda, Helen, Jodie, Alex x 2, Ieuan, Ryan, Cam, Catrin, Gemma & Arfyn, top tea girl Jen, aided by Diane, Kate & Sue, Umpire Dai White and scorers John Purnell, Karen Phillips, Gill Sheldon & Dave Norman for all their tremendous input and effort throughout the season.
And, finally…to all our loyal members and regular spectators, we say “thanksamill” for all your support! No people, no Club…simple!