MERTHYR IN HUNT FOR CRICKET TITLE

MERTHYR Tydfil Cricket Club 1st X1 who play in the South Wales Cricket Association League Division Two now lead the table by 11 points with just 5 games remaining of the season, with just 1 game to be played at their home ground Hills Plymouth Sports Ground located in Pentrebach.

MERTHYR TYDFIL CC V LLANTWIT MAJOR CAVALIERS (JUNE 25)

Merthyr Tydfil Cricket Club hosted bottom of the league Llantwit Major Cavaliers in a reduced 38 over game due to the rain that was falling in and around the Merthyr area.

Llantwit Major started the game in overcast conditions which will hopefully help the Merthyr bowlers.

Merthyr took the 1st 2 wickets to fall in the 11th and a further wicket in 12th over with just 37 runs on the board, both taken by Andrew Lewis, one wicket LBW and the other with assistance of a catch by Stephen Baber.

The third wicket taken by Liam Davies with assistance again by a catch this time by Andrew Murphy. It was not until the 26th over before another wick- et fell with the score on 88 this wicket being a caught and bowled Liam Davies.

Sam Pickford was going well at the crease before he fell for 41 runs the wicket taken again by Liam Davies but the fielder in this case with the catch was Andrew Lewis.

The Llantwit Major innings steadily moved onto 134 runs off their allocated 38 overs with the loss of 9 wickets, so Merthyr were unable to gather the 5 maximum bowling points available to them, will this cost them at the end of the season!

Batting was not easy on a pitch that was slow and the outfield being a little wet, as long as Merthyr batsmen adapted to the conditions they should be able to overhaul the score 138 runs.

Merthyr 1st X1 Started the inning with their regular opening partnership of Stephen Baber and Liam Davies, these 2 batsmen found the conditions difficult to score runs freely and both were back in the pavilion after 17 overs with the score on 37, so the runs were hard to get.

Blaine Harris was now at the crease and was finding the conditions to his liking scoring freely on both sides of the wickets, could anyone stay with and guide the team to a win.

Wickets continued to fall regularly at the other end with just one batsman Dylan Davies assisting Harris to the required mark. Davies departed for a very good 27 runs in difficult conditions with the score on 118 runs 16 runs short and a partnership of 67 runs the wicket falling in the 36th over, could Merthyr get the required runs in the remaining 3 overs with Harris at the crease it was possible.

Harris fell for an excellent 52 runs in the 37th over with the score on 130, now 4 short could the last 2 batsmen Chris Birch and Connor Barry get the 4 runs required off the last over, everyone now in the ground both players and supporters who were scattered around the ground were very tense as the supporters and team did not want to loss to the bottom team in the league as this would definitely dent their promotion hopes. Not to fear as the both batsmen seem to relish their task knocking off the 4 required runs and seemed confident in their ability.

It was the last ball of the game the winning run was struck by Connor Barry and the joy, euphoria and noise around the ground was surely heard in the village of Pentrebach, as news went around the village of a tight game was being played at the Sports Ground.

Both the bank and veranda were packed with supporters from far and wide not only from the village to witness an excellent game of cricket played by both teams, commiserations to Llantwit Major Cavaliers on a valiant effort in their attempt to win their first game of the season, both teams meet again on 27th Aug the last game of the season.

Merthyr winning by just 1 wicket.

MERTHYR CRICKET CLUB V MORRISTON CRICKET CLUB (JULY 2)

Merthyr played against Morriston Cricket Club from Swansea away from home in the league and came out winners by 6 wickets in a low scoring game with the bowlers making a name for themselves by bowling Morriston out for 65 runs in 39 overs with Jamie Murphy taking 3 catches behind the stumps. The wickets were shared between all bowlers used by Andrew Lewis.

The main wicket taker for the day was Connor Barry taking 4 Wickets for a just 9 runs in 9 overs, a great performance from the 17 year old product from the Youth and Junior Section. Other Wickets were taken by Andrew Lewis who was successful by taking 2 wickets for 8 runs off 10 overs whilst opening the bowling with Chris Birch who was successful in taking 1 wicket in his 10 over spell, the other bowler who was successful was Blaine Harris with 2 wickets from just 5 overs and just 3 runs taken from his spell.

Which Merthyr batsman would be able to knock off these runs in the allocated 50 overs, a task which should not appear to difficult.

The 1st 3 batsmen were back in the pavilion though for just 17 runs on the board, so who would come in and get the remaining runs for the win. Blaine Harris was now at the crease and took a liking to the bowling scoring 23 runs not out hitting 3 fours and one 6, he was ably assisted by Andrew Murphy who also took a liking to the bowling hit- ting 4 fours in his not out score of 18 runs. The required runs were scored in just 18 overs against the Morriston bowling attack.

MERTHYR TYDFIL CRICKET CLUB V LLANGENNECH CRICKET CLUB (JULY 9)

Merthyr Cricket Club played Llangennech Cricket Club from Llanelli at their home ground in Pentrebach and the day was heralded an excellent team effort in all departments whether it was in batting, bowling or fielding. Merthyr Cricket Club was 1st to bat on a wicket that seemed primed for good batting and it was not to disappoint in a reduced over game of 41 overs due to the overnight rain.

The Merthyr innings was opened by the pairing of Stephen Baber and Liam Davies a recent signing from Neath and a local teenager, the pair put on 59 runs before the wicket of Baber fell caught for a very respectful 43 runs. Davies was joined at the crease by Andrew Murphy who had been promoted from his normal middle order position to number 3 and the move paid off as he scored 57 runs which included five 6s and one 4, the score had moved on to 152 in 32 overs of the reduced game. Liam Davies was now joined by Blaine Harris at the crease and he did not wait before striking the ball far and wide, this pairing putting on 30 runs in just 4 overs before Davies was out for 58 LBW with the score on 182.

A quick lose of a further wicket with Jamie Murphy out for a Duck, but in his defence he was attempting to get more quick runs on the board before the 41st over.

Blaine Harris was joined by Simon Davies who did not disappoint with a quick fire 29 runs not out hitting two 6s and two fours in his innings. The conclusion of the Merthyr batting concluded with 237 runs for the loss of 4 wickets and outstanding batting performance by the top order.

The Merthyr Bowling attack was opened by the pairing of Andrew Lewis and Chris Birch with Birch excelling in his 10 over spell giving just 15 runs away and also taking 1 wicket, the wicket of Matthew Jones for 1 caught by the safe hands of Stephen Baber. After just 9 overs of the Llangennech innings they had lost 3 wickets for

just 23 runs, with Andrew Lewis taking the other 2 wickets to fall.

The opening bowlers had taken 4 wickets in total off their allocated 10 overs with the score on 47 after 20 overs a real great effort by the pair. A change of bowling was now required and hopefully take the remaining 6 wickets, but this was not the case as the Llangennech dug deep and fought admirably to keep their wickets intact and prevent winning the game outright.

Llangennech concluded their innings at the 41st over losing just 7 wickets for 133 runs, giving Merthyr a winning draw. Only one Llangennech player really troubled the scorer John Warren was Gareth George scoring 34 useful runs before being run out by Andrew Foley with a direct throw.

MERTHYR TYDFIL CRICKET CLUB V DREFACH (JULY 16)

Again Merthyr Cricket had another home game in July where they entertained Drefach from West Wales in a reduced over game of 47 overs due to inclement weather which appeared overnight. It was a day again of a great all round team performance with everyone playing a part in a great win which was the only game in the league to be played.

This was due mainly to the new square cover sheets which had recently been purchased through a grant from the ECB and Cricket Wales, Merthyr Cricket Club are very grateful to both the ECB and Sport Wales for this grant, this grant hopefully will prevent less games being called off due to the inclement weather which we have in the summer months.

Merthyr batted first with the reliable opening pairing of Stephen Baber and Liam Davies, but it was not the day Davies would have liked as he departed for just 9 runs in the 4th over of the game Bowled by Owen Donovan. Baber was now joined by the father of Liam, Simon Davies who was in great form with the bat and again it showed.

The score had moved onto 135 runs in the 28th over before the second wicket fell with the loss of Baber for an excellent 47 runs hitting five fours in a partnership of 123 runs.

Davies was now going great guns hitting fours regularly around the ground, 2 very quick wickets taken of Blaine Harris and Andrew Foley were taken by the Llangennech bowlers both LBW. Davies was now joined by Andrew Murphy who was also in fine form with the bat having scored 57 runs the week before. Davies was continuing to stroke the ball to all corners of the field accumulating an excellent 101 runs before he fell to an excellent catch in the deep by Rob Seymour off the bowling of Leigh Davies, hitting sixteen fours and two 6s.

The wicket of Davies fell in the 29th over with 137 runs on the board for the loss of just 3 wickets, Merthyr were showing the rest of the league they were in some form.

Murphy was in no mood to run for his runs as he hit a blistering 80 runs in just 42 balls, hitting four fours and seven 6s in this outstanding innings of straight hitting. The wicket of Murphy fell in the 46th over with 282 runs scored. Further contributions were made by Jamie Murphy, Dylan Davies and Andrew Lewis, with scores of 21, 5 and 10. The Merthyr innings closed with 294 runs off their 47 allocated overs with the loss of 9 wickets with Chris Birch and Connor Barry not out, this score of 294 has not been seen at the ground for many a year, the excitement, respect and joy from all those who were watching around the ground was immense and especially from those who occupy the bank for the players was a joy to the witness.

How would the bowlers fare on a wicket that seemed prepared for batting, or could the bowlers get something from it where Drefach failed only time would tell.

Having an excellent tea in the clubhouse, Merthyr appeared onto the field with a positive attitude hoping to bowl out Drefach and gain maximum points and put pressure on those others who wish to be promoted and hit the top of the league. Andrew Lewis and Chris Birch opened the bowling and they were getting something out of the wicket which the Drefach bowlers failed.

Both Lewis and Birch were bowling wicket at wicket putting pressure on the Drefach batsmen into mistakes. In their spell of 10 overs each they had taken 7 wickets between them, Lewis tak- ing 5 wickets for 32 runs and Birch 2 for 42 runs, could the other bowlers take the remaining 3 wickets quickly or would the Drefach batsmen dig in and hold out for a losing draw.

It was the Merthyr bowlers who were on top taking the 3 remaining wickets in very quick time, Connor Barry taking 2 wickets and Blaine Harris 1 wicket, concluding the innings of Drefach at 109 all out.

Merthyr gaining maximum points from the game ensuring they top the league by 11 points from with just 5 games remaining in the season. It will be a tough run in as the team has 4 away games, but the sole home in August will be against the team in second place Maesteg.

Why not come and support the team in their quest for promotion at the Hills Plymouth sports ground, you will no doubt be warmly welcomed by all young and old.

The remaining fixtures of the 1st X1 are as follows: Jul 30 (A) Pontyberem Aug 6 (H) Maesteg Aug 13 (A) Gorseinon Aug 27 (A) Llantwit Major Cavaliers