Pike and Davies are record breakers
SOUTH WALES PREMIER LEAGUE SECOND XI EAST BRIDGEND TOWN SECONDS ................. 281-5 PANTEG SECONDS ... 144
OWEN Davies and Oliver Pike became record breakers during this comprehensive Bridgend Town victory over Panteg, writes Tony Poole.
They put on a sizzling stand of 204 runs for the third wicket that bettered the 190 achieved by MCC star Stuart Morris and William Spreadbury back in 2011 at home to Pontarddulais.
Coed-y-Mwstwr golf star Davies and returning first-team opening bowler Pike came together with the score on 31-2.
Pike had missed the last few games through a combination of an arm injury and mid-season vacation.
But when acting-captain David Knight asked for a volunteer to bat three, the Vale product raised his hand.
And what an innings it proved, with a sparkling 115 containing three sixes and 10 boundaries.
And Davies, grandson of Coed-y-Mwstwr Senior star Clive Davies, cracked an equally grand 112 not out (four sixes, six fours).
That hurried the score on to a match-winning 281-5 off an allotted 50 overs, and only Jack Farrant (9-1-34-2) bothered to check his bowling figures.
If Panteg were to get the runs, then they needed several decent partnerships. But it never happened and at 28-2 and 723, they were there for the taking.
Down the years there haven’t been too many slow bowlers better equipped than Darren Lingley to fool rabbits.
The experienced campaigner took a leaf out of his mentor Jake Collier in performing the art of donkey drops.
In a mesmerising stint, Lingers turned the screw in magnificent fashion with figures of 9.4-1-24-5.
Pace men Elliot Rees (71-11-0) and Pike (6-1-182) softened Panteg up for Lingers with only Joshua O’Connor (45) and Farrant (26) holding things up in a score of 144 off 42 overs.
Bridgend Town Seconds are away to St Fagans this Saturday. Latest placings read: Cardiff 225 points, Newport 183, Bridgend Town 183, Penarth 170, Miskin Manor 153, Panteg 137, Tondu 127, Pentyrch 120, St Fagans 120 and Aberdare 76.