THOMAS, CARROLL

VALE .........................224 BARRY WANDS ......146-9

VALE got much the better of Barry Wanderers to keep the pressure on early Division Three pacemakers Sully Centurions and Crumlin, writes Tony Poole. With the three top sides all winning, it was very much a case of as you were at the top with Sully on 99 points, Crumlin 94, Vale 74 and Monkswood 64. And it’s to Monkswood that Jonathan Davies and his merry men head to on Saturday for a key early season showdown.

Skipper Davies won the toss and chose to bat, and opening bats Alex Davidson (22) and stumper Harry Withers (40) confirmed that decision.

It was then a case of Ben Horton, who contributed 34, continuing to move the Corntown boys in the right direction. With the scoreboard reading 103-3, the stage was set for acceleration and impetus was taken care of via captain Davies (43) and Matthew Williams (19). But when Jo Hodges entered the fray, things really happened with a hard-hitting 40 containing a six and five boundaries.

Vale were dismissed in the final over for 224.

But when the Wanderers – who will forever be linked with the late Mike Ashton – pursued 225 they found progress a problem.

Unspectacular scoring moved them on to 87-2 – George Allen getting 43 – before disaster struck, and it became 89-6.

That was curtains as far as a Barry win was concerned, and they turned to the barndoor game, closing on 146-9.

A home attack lacking dazzling paceman Darren Upham leaned heavily on James Thomas (9-2-20-4) for their wickets.

But accurate bowling from Alex Upham (9-122-1), Williams (9-3-19-1) and Davidson (7-2-20-0) kept Barry on the ropes. Jon Bussey 4-2-10-0, Paul Grabham 3.1-0-25-1 and James Leppard 1-0-8-0.