CRICKET DIVISION SIX EAST

THOMAS, CARROLL SOUTH WALES PREMIER LEAGUE PORT TALBOT TOWN ...................... 173-9 BRIDGEND TOWN .202-8

BRIDGEND Town saved the best for last in getting a winning draw at Port Talbot Town in this early season top-of-the-table encounter, writes Tony Poole.

Once again Town captain Tom Baker lost the toss and given damp conditions and the threat of more rain, it wasn’t surprising that Josh Tobin duly invited them to bat.

Batting was never easy – Bridgend were relieved to extract 202-8 out of their 50-allotted overs – but the Pirates then seemed to be cruising to a swashbuckling win.

When the score stood on 129-1 in the 33rd over, all the wise money had already been stacked on Port Talbot to win – and by a comfortable margin.

But again the king of spin Nicky Davies rose to the occasion for the Baker boys with a momentumchanging spell of 10-2-214.

It resulted in the Pirates retreating, and at stumps they were simply relieved to cling on for a draw on 173-9.

Bridgend got off to the worst kind of start, losing Sam Pearce for a duck – and by the 27th over and with the scoreboard displaying 70-5, there wasn’t any definite sign of a Town fight-back.

But opener Sam Wood was still out in the middle, and he at last found someone prepared to cross swords with the Pirates.

That man was ex-Glamorgan pace man Alex Jones, who contributed a match-turning 33.

He put on 79 for the sixth wicket with Wood, who made a key 81 (one six, 10 fours off 132 deliveries in 151 minutes).

It was Wood who went first with the score on 149-6, and the last seven overs yielded a priceless 53 runs.

Former Tondu allrounder Dan Rowe, who joined Port Talbot this season from Swansea, did main damage with 9-241-4.

Tight spells also came from Lewis B Jones 10-219-2, Stuart Phelps 7-122-1 and captain Tobin 10-1-30-1.

But given the ball was still doing a little bit, a target of 203 seemed challenging.

However, the Pirates ruled the waves when Mark Cox (26) and a more belligerent Anthony Thomas put on 86 before they were parted in the 22nd over.

Michael Samuel (18) was the next partner for Thomas – but the turning point came when the pair went in rapid succession.

Thomas cracked 87 (two sixes, nine fours off 107 balls in 125 minutes) before young Bronwydd pace man Tomos Jones got his wicket in the nick of time.

A match-winning position of 129-1 soon turned into 155-8 – and suddenly the Pirates called for all hands on deck in order to steady the ship and seek the safe haven of a draw.

It was master spinner Davies and young leggie Sam Pearce (10-1-31-2) who turned the tide in favour of Town.

And although Pearce got the wicket of Richie Edwards (7) off the final delivery, Port Talbot just managed to pull off the draw on 173-9.

With Cardiff and Mumbles the only winners on the day and the match at Ammanford with Newport abandoned as a draw, Bridgend retained top spot.

After four rounds of fixtures, placings read: Bridgend Town 71 points, Cardiff 67, Port Talbot Town 58, Pontarddulais 55, Newport 53, Mumbles 48, Penarth 41, Ammanford 35, Neath 28 and Ynysygerwn 19.

The next port of call for Bridgend, during an all away May, is Spytty Park on Saturday to face defending champions Newport.

BRIDGEND TOWN SECONDS ................ 230-5 PANTEG SECONDS 226-7

BRIDGEND Town Seconds pulled off a first league win of the season, and once more David Knight charged to their rescue, writes Tony Poole.

Though just four of the 18 rounds of fixtures have been completed, they have provided the man for all seasons with some bittersweet moments.

The Bridgend Hockey Club star cracked an amazing unbeaten 139 during the St Fagans loss, resulting in club chairman John Morgan giving him a bottle of vintage bubbly for a maiden ton.

But the bubble burst for Knight when he then got a duck against Penarth ahead of him again becoming the side’s knight in shining armour.

He hit an equally amazing undefeated 62 during this Newbridge Fields win over Panteg when Town had their backs to the wall.

Panteg posted 226-7 off their 50-allotted overs – and then promptly reduced Bridgend to 90-5.

However, Knight and Chris Bushell gradually turned things around, knocking the ball to all parts of the ground.

They figured in an unbroken stand of 140 with short-hitter Knight recording just four boundaries in 62.

Bushell found the ropes a magnificent seven times in his 58, and victory was achieved in the final over on 230-5.

Best Panteg bowling came from Jack Farrant with 10-3-20-2 and Jimmy Taylor 10-1-34-2.

Earlier, only Troy Smith (10-1-32-3) checked his bowling figures at tea with new kid on the book Rhodri Owen.

Steady scoring from Mike Harper (51), Sean Clarke (47), Hemant Rawal (35) and Billie Mayers (31) moved the men of Gwent on to an acceptable score.

But when push came to shove, it was Knight and Bushell who earned their corn in turning things around in a five-wicket win.

This Saturday, Bridgend Town Seconds entertain Newport.

CRICKET

BRIDGEND Town failed in a bid last Sunday to reach the Thomas, Carroll South Wales Premier League T20 Finals Day at the Swalec Stadium in Cardiff, writes Tony Poole.

Town were grouped in the Miskin Manor Festival along with Newport Fugitives and Penarth.

Town played Penarth in their opener, batting first and posting 140-8 off their 20 overs.

Sam Pearce, who smashed five sixes and clipped a four in a hardhitting 45, and Troy Smith 25 (two fours) put on 64 for the first wicket.

But other than that there were only bits and pieces with Tom Pearce contributing 17 and Nicky Davies 13.

Ali Bukkhari was the main strike weapon for the Bears with 4-0-20-2 while Scott Matthews sent down 4-0-28-2.

Penarth then slipped into trouble when they went out in pursuit of 141 and at 25-3, Town were in the driving seat.

But an unbroken partnership of 118 developed between Nicky Morgan 85 (six sixes, eight boundaries) and veteran performer Richard Skone 34 (two sixes, two fours) that rocketed Penarth on to a winning 143-3 off just 15.1 overs.

Penarth then went on to beat Newport Fugitives to book their place in the Swalec Stadium showpiece event on August 13.

In the other Festivals, T20 title-holders Newport won the day at Tata Steel in Margam; Mumbles swept to victory in their event while Port Talbot Town were successful in the Ynysygerwn tournament.

But there was disappointment when Swansea failed to pitch against Port Talbot Town in the Ynysygerwn Festival.

However, because the Area Finals of the ECB stage of the competition get underway before Finals Day in Cardiff, it’s again a case this season of defending champions Newport representing the league.

It means that this year’ winners – and all subsequent champions – will represent the league the following summer.

Meanwhile, Bridgend Town last Friday night launched All Stars to introduce children to the game in a fun environment.

It’s a nationwide initiative that the English Cricket Board hope will inspire children of five years up to eight to play the game.

Over 30 children turned up in Newbridge Fields and taking families into consideration, there were in excess of 100 people in attendance during a great family occasion.

THOMAS, CARROLL SOUTH WALES ASSOCIATION DIVISION TWO MAESTEG ............... 155-7 MAESTEG CELTIC .154-8

THIS closely contested derby was reduced too 48 overs because of rain and Celtic were inserted.

Nick Poole (14) and Martin Rogers (18) wenty early but Gareth Hopkins made a fine 47 and Lindsay Harris 28 as Celtic cloosed on 154-8.

The home bowling was: Lee Morgan (a former Celtic player) 10-4-27-2, Callum Walters 10-3-24-2, Martin Wilkshire 4-0-152, Mike Hood 10-3-21-1 and Ewan Lambert 103-21-1. Although batting was never easy, Maesteg got the runs in 43.1 overs.

Lloyd Wilkshire scored 43, his father Martin 40 and Mike Lambert 22 not oout.

Celtic’s bowling was: Alan Richards 10-1-38-3, Rhodri Thomas 5-1-25-3 and Paul Morris 9-1-37-1.

DIVISION THREE BRITON FERRY TOWN ...................... 209-6 PORTHCAWL .......... 158-5

WITHOUT five regular first teamers, for various reasons, including three of their top five batsmen, Porthcawl did well to bat out for a draw in this topof-the-table clash at Ynysmaerdy Road.

It was a backs-to-thewall effort by the Seasiders after the hosts posted a formidable 209-6 and Jack Tuck’s side remain unbeaten after four matches and retain second spot, behind Ferry. The visitors were indebted to a magnificent effort from opener Nick Davies who carried his bat for 50 overs to record a magnificent 58 not out, his third half century in four innings and one of his finest performances for the club. The wicket was proving unpredictable after tea and Davies held firm, eight boundaries highlighting his knock.

Main support came from Mark Lewis who despatched four fours in his well compiled 29 in an excellent third wicket partnership, after Steve Richmond had fallen for 10 and Nick Morgan for 11. Porthcawl were in a spot of bother on 119-5 with eleven overs remaining but Tuck came to the rescue to support Davies with 19 not out and they took the total to 158-5, denying Ferry important bowling points.

For Ferry, Ben Probert bowled an excellent spell of 3-17 from 10 overs, Yacob Ali took 1-21 and Mike Arnold 1-27, both also from 10 overs.

Earlier, the depleted Porthcawl attack did well to restrict the powerful hosts to 209-6 and it was only a late flourish from Probert, 42 with four fours, that boosted the total. Opener Ali, so often the scourge of Porthcawl’s attack, stroked another impressive 51, including one six and four fours, and piloted the innings but good support came from Shakeel Amin who cracked a six and three fours in his 35. Jonathan Joseph added 26 and double figure contributions came from Amin Tasnem and Arnold.

Skipper Tuck bowled a fine 10 over spell, finishing with 3-44 and Josh Aubrey continued his excellent start to the campaign collecting 2-40, also from 10. J

osh Lyddon bowled a steady opening spell yielding 1-40 from his allocation and 14 year old Isaac Cronje bowled an excellent, eye-catching opening spell of five overs, conceding just 11 runs against Ferry’s top run scorers

DIVISION FIVE MAESTEG CELTIC SECONDS ..................... 99 LLANDARCY SECONDS ................... 115

CELTIC asked Llandarcy to bat and the visitors styruggled to 112 all out off 29 overs. Paul Skilton made 38 and Ruan Holt 26, the only batsmen to get to double figures. Celtic’s bowling was: Lee Collins 3-0-11-0, Alun Richards 8-1-22-2, Lyndon Harris 8-1-27-1, Aled Jones 6-0-34-2 and David Rees 4-1-6-5. Unfortunately, Celtic’s batting couldn’t maatch their bowling and fielding and they collapsed to 88 all out in 25.5 overs.

Jordan Richards was head and shoulders the best batsman with a superb 48 and Lyndon Harris got 18 as the only other batsman to reach double figures.

The Llandarcy bowling was: Chris Harland 6-1-15-1 Luke Tanner 8-3-7-3, Ruan Holt 8-1-17-2, Jon Pryce 8-1-26-0 and Robert Lee Jones 5.5-213-4.

PORTHCAWL SECONDS ................ 130-6 DREFACH SECONDS ....... .................................. 132-4

THIS was a match that Porthcawl should really have won against tabletoppers Drefach but a brilliant innings of 96 not out from visiting number four John Anderson took the game away from the Seasiders.

Chasing Porthcawl’s modest 130-6, which was probably 30 runs short of par, the west Wales side relied totally on Anderson as none of the other batsmen reached double figures as skipper Paul Mason ripped into the early order to take 3-21 from his eight over allocation. Will Frost swooped to run out another visiting batsman but Anderson stood firm as Drefach coasted home with five overs to spare.

Mark Bevan also bowled a tight spell of 0-15 from eight overs but the remainder of the attack found Anderson difficult to bowl to as he lashed 14 boundaries.

Earlier, Porthcawl batted steadily but failed to score quickly enough against a very impressive away attack. Frost stroked five fours in his 29 and keeper Chris Jenkins had an identical boundary count in his 27 but the mainstay was Jamie Rees who top scored with a solid 44 with three ropefinders.

GREAT WESTERN SECONDS ..................... 39 MAESTEG SECONDS .................. 40-5

GREAT Western batted first, only managing 39 all out with two wickets each to Andrew Jones, Nicky Richards and Ellis Horrigan and one each to Lee Williams and Jason Morgan. Maesteg 40-5 winning comfortably.

Last week Maesteg v Swansea in the Welsh Cup.

Maesteg batted first, scoring 248 -9 off their 40 overseas with Andrew king 31, Lloyd Wiltshire 68 including 12 fours, but a great knock from Callum Walters 111 not out including eight fours and six sixes entertained the large crowd. Swansea replies with 208-9 wks with wickets from callum Walters 3 2 each for martin Wiltshire and Tom harding and 1 for mike bailey. Maesteg got another premiership club port Talbot next round.

CRICKET

NEATH last Saturday picked up an unwelcome record in the Thomas, Carroll South Wales Premier League, writes Tony Poole.

In being dismissed for just 41 off a mere 22.3 overs by Cardiff at The Gnoll, the score represented a new top-flight low.

Its history dates back to the inaugural Premier League campaign of 2010 when Usk were shot out at Pontarddulais for only 43.

Fast forward to 2015 and Pontarddulais picked up the record after Bridgend Town removed them for just 42.

On that occasion exGlamorgan quickie Alex Jones led the way with match-winning figures of 10-2-24-6.

But Neath last Saturday lopped another run off the unwanted statistic – and the executionerin-chief this time around was James Lewis, who returned 10-1-23-4, and Christian Edwards with 7-2-11-3.

The only Neath batsman to get double figures was opener Steffan Roberts from Maesteg who made 10.

However, former Cowbridge all-rounder Neil Brand did cause Cardiff a few anxious moments in a spell of 5.3-2-10-3.

But Cardiff opener Alex Milton – the Worcestershire wicket-keeper who has already compiled two Premier League centuries this season – got an unbeaten 13 in a winning Cardiff score of 45-3.