PREMIER LEAGUE

CARDIFF SECONDS .......................................456-2 BRIDGEND TOWN SECONDS ...............................244

THIS has to be marked down as the most remarkable match in eight seasons of the Premier League, writes Tony Poole.

Cardiff Seconds broke just about every record in the second-team competition with opening bat Umar Malik striking an astonishing 268.

It simply gave further evidence of the strength in depth that the Diamond Ground club possess.

Though Malik had taken 134 off the Tata Steel attack in 2nd XI (East) this term, his innings against Bridgend Town was on another planet.

Breaking down the 268, he found the ropes 24 times and cleared them on 19 occasions (210), and faced just 162 balls. He put on 403 for the first wicket with Richard Sen, who contributed a more serene 101 not out that contained 11 fours.

Aided by a staggering 59 extras – comprising 55 wides, two no balls and two leg byes – they got a mammoth total of 456-2 off 50-allotted overs.

All this after Town captain Timmy Bushell invited them to bat.

It goes without saying that none of the Town attack requested their bowling figures at tea. That said, Rhys Clayton did deliver 10-0-40-0.

The wicket-takers were opening bowlers Alex Dalton with 10-0-99-1 and Troy Smith 9-0-93-1.

Bridgend then lost captain Bushell for a duck, and hit or miss merchant Dai Knight also perished for a blob.

At 20-3, there was a danger of Town falling to a catastrophic defeat, but the situation soon threw up a survivor in Troy Smith.

In a backs to the wall situation, he crashed a quite amazing 109 that contained 19 fours and was recorded off just 78 balls.

Allied to wag in the tail from Evan Stanton (25), Gwilym Davies (21), Alex Dalton 20 (five fours) and Iwan Bunston (16no), they got the score up to 244 off 42.3 overs.

The defeat ultimately was by 212 runs with Dan Quick (7-0-37-3) and Oliver Hughes (9-3-27-3) the main strike weapons.

Cardiff on 103 points remain top from Tata Steel 102, Panteg 80, Newport 78, Tondu 70, Newport Fugitives 66, Bridgend Town 63, Penarth 60, Miskin Manor 55 and St Fagans 39.

Next up for shell-shocked Bridgend Town Seconds on Saturday is second-placed Tata Steel in Newbridge Fields.