THOMAS, CARROLL

Aaron Hughes stayed defiant for 24 not out and Scott Buckley chipped in with 16 not out to ensure there was no last minute fireworks. Thompson took some Pickford punishment to end with 1-44 and Morgan’s figures were 2-20, both off eight overs.

BLAENGARW ....... 190 - 5 PORTH ........................ 186

BLAENGARW welcomed Porth to a packed Darren Park with the Garw Valley outfit looking to protect their 100 per cent home start to the season.

It was home captain Lloyd Chambers that won the toss,and gave first knock to the visitors and after 10 overs, the visitors looked set for a big score with 68 on the board without loss, Then after some eye catching bowling, backed up by some outstanding fielding from Nathan Watts and Owen Thomas, wickets began to tumble at regular intervals, Top scorers for the visitors were Josh Baker (68) and Leon Jacka (41), but the main scalp for Garw was getting former Pontypridd big-hitter Dale Williams trapped lbw for just 10. After 36.3 overs, Porth were finally bowled out for 186.Blaengarw bowling figures: skipper Lloyd Chambers 7.3-1-48-3, Dean Cox 7-1-21-3, Brandon Huntley 9-1-48-2, ex-Pencoed paceman Graham Davies 9-1-33-1, Geraint Gillet 2-0-11-0 and Bridgend Ravens rugby star Garin Lougher 2-0-19-0.

The home side did not get the best of starts and after 16 overs they found themselves stuttering on 44-5 with Dean Cox (23), Deri Lloyd, Garin Lougher, Owain Lloyd and Geraint Gillet all back in the pavilion, Then came one of the best sixth wicket partnerships ever witnessed at Darren Park, Teenager Brandon Huntley joined opening bat Rees Jones at the crease and the pair began to take the pacey Porth bowling attack apart, The pair put on a record 146 unbeaten stand helping Blaengarw reach the 186 run target with 10 balls to spare, Rees Jones who played the anchor role and carried his bat right through the innings ended up 59 not while at the other end Brandon Huntley was given carte blanche, playing a calypso innings with a cascade of boundries including two huge sixes, that landed in Pontycymer and he finished on 78 not out. The pick of the visitors bowling was Leon Jacka 9-4-25-4.

This Saturday, Blaengarw travel to Panteg.