Bridgend Town to contest T20 Finals Day

CRICKET

BRIDGEND Town will take the road to Sophia Gardens on Sunday to contest Finals Day in the South Wales Premier League T20 competition at the SWALEC Stadium, writes Tony Poole.

But the Swansea Festival proved controversial right to the end with the covers at St Helen’s proving inadequate.

A series of delays has blighted the competition this summer and calls have been made for a return to the original format.

Previously, just 10 teams competed via three competing clubs in three festivals with the other got a golden ticket straight through to Sophia Gardens.

But a bid to extend the competition to Division Two and some feeder league clubs has been an utter disaster, mainly through some dreadful weather this summer.

Whatever the weather, Bridgend Town were always going to turn up in Swansea last Sunday to see justice was done.

But once they went out to inspect the wicket, a large damp patch was conspicuous on the Mumbles end of the square.

The wet state of the pitch made play impossible, resulting in both clubs agreeing to settle the issue via a bowling competition.

Pinpoint bowling from Elliot Rees, Jack Davies, Troy St John Smith and Thomas Dalton (Olly Pike in reserve) led to Bridgend striking a 4-2 victory.

This booked them a place in Finals Day on Sunday at the SWALEC Stadium alongside two former winners - Ammanford and Port Talbot Town.

The other finalists are Newport, who got to Sophia Gardenson a free passage through other clubs withdrawing.

Bridgend Town have been paired with Port Talbot Town in semi-final one, commencing at 10.30am and afterwards, Ammanford will challenge league leaders Newport.

The final will be staged around 4.30pm with the winners then representing the league in Area Finals on August 7.

If successful, a fortnight later they will move on to Regional Finals while a date and venue has yet to be announced for the Grand Final.