Encouraging start for Bridgend Town

CRICKET THOMAS, CARROLL SOUTH WALES PREMIER LEAGUE BRIDGEND TOWN .212-5 NEATH ..................... 153-7

ALL things considered, this was an encouraging start for former league champions Bridgend Town against Neath in Newbridge Fields, writes Tony Poole.

Considering four players who figured in the first team last summer have moved on to pastures new, Town under the captaincy of former Glamorgan quickie Alex Jones overshadowed the Gnoll side.

Jones took over from unavailable Tom Baker with Sam Wood replacing him behind the stumps.

But in the run up to this opening fixture of the season, Cardiff MCCU student Oliver Pike, who hails from Corntown, dropped a bombshell in transferring to top-flight newcomers Penarth.

Coed-y-Mwstwr golf star Owen Davies joined paceman Elliot Rees in moving to neighbours Tondu while player-coach Darren Thomas had already announced he has switched to Ynysygerwn.

These were body blows to any side before a ball had been delivered in 2017, but Town showed great fortitude in placing these setbacks behind them.

Neath captain Joe Parkhouse won the toss and opted to have a field, and the move looked a good one after Bridgend groped their way on to 43-3.

Sam Wood (20), Sam Pearce (8) and Thomas Cogbill (1) were the men out, but things were then turned around by this year’s Glamorgan attached player Jeremy Lawlor and Thomas Dalton.

Lawlor, the son of former Glamorgan and St Fagans batsman Peter, went on to crack a flagship 90 that contained two sixes and six boundaries and was compiled off 109 deliveries.

Dalton weighed in with 28 during a profitable fourth-wicket stand worth 60 runs before captain Alex Jones and Lawlor took the game well out of the reach of Neath.

They put on 99 for the fifth wicket with Jones making a responsible unbeaten 41 (one six, two fours) and at the end of their 50-allotted overs, the score read 212-5.

Glamorgan spinner Kieran Bull (10-3-47-3) was the pick of the Neath attack, and they went on to make a decent start in pursuit of 213.

Steffan Roberts from Maesteg hit 43 before he was third out with the score on 96 and at this point, Tom Pearce was threatening to run through the Neath card.

He got former Port Talbot Town all-rounder Sean Griffiths and exTondu wicketkeeper Chris Matthews for low scores and at 97-5, the Gnoll side were peeping over the precipice.

However, last season Neath based a decent sixth-place finish on an ability to bat out time in order to record draws.

And this ploy once more served them well as they went on to claim a losing draw on 153-7.

New ball men Alex Jones (8-3-10-0) and young Bronwydd starlet Tomos Jones (5-2-15-0) gave little away, and that was also true in the case of the king of spin Nick Davies (10-1-29-1).

Tom Pearce with 7-124-2 was most success- ful while Thomas Dalton, who sent down 9-1-26-0, also kept things tight.

But in many ways Neath were the architects of their downfall, as three players fell to run-outs.

Bridgend now enter an incredible phase with the vagaries of their fixture list seeing them play all May engagements away.

It involves a trip to Ammanford on Saturday followed by Penarth (May 13), Port Talbot Town (20th) and Newport (27th).

Meanwhile, Bridgend Town Seconds saw their opening Premier League (East) fixture at Miskin Manor last Sunday abandoned due to rain.

Miskin moved on to 122-3 off 33.2 overs – Craig Pritchard contributing an unbeaten 57 – with Richard Cogbill returning 9-1-20-2 and Troy Smith 5-2-12-1.

However, heavy rain then began to fall at Glyn Park, leading to the players coming off - and they didn’t reappear.

THOMAS, CARROLL SOUTH WALES ASSOCIATION DIVISION THREE DAFEN ........................ 188 PORTHWL ............... 189-2

PORTHCAWLL made a flying start to the new season defeating promoted Dafen by eight wickets thanks to inspired performances from Mark Dixon, Nick Davies and Josh Aubrey.

It looked ominous for the Seasiders when Dafen openers Rob Jones and Jonathan Griffiths plundered 84 for the first wicket after just 15 overs before skipper Jack Tuck and Rob Jones dismissed both batsmen, Griffiths for 49, with a six and eight fours, and Jones for 30, finding the ropes five times.

The hosts were still well placed at 130-4 with 20 overs remaining but the introduction of slow bowler Aubrey changed the whole complexion of the innings. Ian Lavender, who stroked a fine 61, with eight fours and a six, was Aubrey’s first victim and wickets tumbled after that with only 26 from Andrew Randell holding up the rampant visitors.

Dafen finally succumbed after 41.1 of their allocated 50 overs for 188 which was still a competitive total. Aubrey finished with brilliant career best figures of 5-12 from just 5 overs to destroy the hosts innings. He was well supported by Tuck, 2-28 from 10 overs and there was a wicket apiece for Jones, Steve Jenkins and Davies.

It looked even more impressive as Porthcawl lost two early wickets with just 21 on the board but opener Dixon and Davies, making a welcome return to the club, set about a recovery in spectacular fashion. Dixon, the club’s junior coach, particularly severe on the home attack.

The pair took the visitors to victory with a brilliant unbeaten third wicket partnership of 168, reaching their target in just 33.3 overs. Dixon, smashed a magnificent unbeaten 110, bludgeoning three sixes and 17 fours. Davies was content to play a more supporting role but his undefeated 59, with 8 fours, was equally impressive and bodes well for the coming months. Tuck’s side now go into Saturday’s clash with Baglan in confident mood.

PORTHCAWL SECONDS ................ 169-8 LLANDARCY SECONDS ................... 135

PORTHCAWL’S second team had a difficult cam- paign last year, narrowly avoiding relegation, but things look a lot brighter this season with an influx of new blood and a 34 run success at home to Llandarcy confirmed the optimism.

The Seasiders made a solid start with Josh Lyddon and new recruit David Vinen putting on 48 for the first wicket. Lyddon fell for 18 and Vinen for 22 before William Frost announced his arrival in sensational style thrashing two enormous sixes. His 44 was the fulcrum of the innings.

The middle order kept the momentum going with skipper Paul Mason contributing 16, Blair Driscoll 15, Rob Warren 14 and debutant James Rees looking promising, with 11.

A total of 169-8 from 40 overs was competitive despite good bowling from Nathaniel Jarvis, 3-29, Luke Tanner, 2-19 and Jon Pryce, 2-24.

The visitors looked dangerous when Paul Skelton was in situ, his 30 ,with 28 coming in boundaries, threatening to take the game away from the hosts, but Lyddon’s superb caught and bowled put a brake on matters. Tanner and Pryce were the other two main contributors with 19 and 17 respectively but Llandarcy were always struggling to maintain momentum and were bowled out for 135 after 33 overs.

Lyddon was the home side’s most successful bowler with 3-19 from his eight over allocation with stalwart opening bowler Marc Thompson equally impressive with 3-30, also from eight overs. There was also a wicket apiece from Driscoll, Mason and Mark Bevan as Porthcawl made the perfect start.

THOMAS, CARROLL SOUTH WALES ASSOCIATION DIVISION 2 MORRISTON ........... 118-3 MAESTEG CELTIC .... 114

MAESTEG Celtic won the toss and opted to have first knock.

Several batsmen got started but only James Richards with 41 not out got to grips withj the home attack as Celtic were bowled out for 114 in 30.5 overs..

Tom Fenn had 8-2-26-4 and Lewis Francis 8-3-222.

Steve Maddock scored 24 when Morriston went in before Fenn (38no) and John Jenkins (36no) got them home on 118-3 in 39.5 overs.

Glen Lawlor, Chris Hicks and Roger Thomas took a wicket each for Celtic.

CRICKET

GREAT Western Cricket Club is entering an exciting period as they embark on a new journey!

Having previously played at Newbridge Fields, the club has spotted an opportunity to base themselves at a ground which will offer a cricket home and the chance to build a sustainable future.

Over the past 18 months, the club, along with Southerndown Community, has been successful in obtaining a renewed lease which will provide the opportunity for Great Western to play their league matches at Southerndown along with the local community playing occasional friendly matches, helping keep village and social cricket alive and well. Working closely with Carys Stallard, who heads up Southerndown Commu- nity Group, work has been ongoing over the winter months to totally renovate the pavilion along with producing a cricket ground to be proud of!

Through hard work and dedication from players, friends, family and further connections, the club played the first league game on April 29 followed by an official opening on April 30 where a small sixa-side tournament was held between local league and social teams.

This wouldn’t have been possible though without the help of the local businesses, who have recognised the club and communities hard work and dedication to get the ground back to its former glory. Howdens Joinery has kindly donated a kitchen along with the relevant white goods, Waterstone Homes have donated to help finish off the pavilion and storage unit roof, along with additional groundsman equipment.

One of the key reasons for this move was to make the club more sustainable and with that, grow and develop a successful youth set up. The All Stars programme (aimed at children between 5-8 years old) will be starting in May and the club is in the process of growing a youth side which can then feed into senior cricket.

The club and community are looking for a positive future and with that, are welcoming new members. Great Western Cricket Club runs two senior teams and play the game in a fair and fun way all with the intention of enjoying time with team mates and friends. Summer training will commence in the first week of May and for further details, contact the Club Captain Ian Keen on 07817 809800.