THOMAS, CARROLL SOUTH WALES PREMIER LEAGUE
BRIDGEND TOWN .. 208-8 PORT TALBOT TOWN ...................... 184-8
FORMER England paceman Simon Jones impacted for Bridgend Town on a surprise return to Newbridge Fields during a topsy-turvy clash with Port Talbot Town, writes Tony Poole.
During the winter the England 2005 Ashes hero indicated that he would play for Bridgend this season, but in a T20 capacity.
But with Town desperate for points to trigger a revival, a whirlwind 46 and 2-31 helped to set up a winning draw.
“I simply love the club,” said Jones via his Twitter account.
“They are a great bunch of boys and with the result against Port Talbot going our way, it was happy days.
“But this was my third game in a week – and my body is beginning to remind me.’’
The game proved a carbon copy of the New Mansel league clash between the clubs back on May 20.
On that occasion, Bridgend were put in to bat, made 202-8 and then pegged the Pirates to 1739.
This time, 208-8 played 184-8 with Town banking 16 much-needed points to go 37 points clear of bottom club Penarth.
Port Talbot captain Josh Tobin won the toss and put Bridgend in – and it wasn’t long before the decision was vindicated.
Openers Sam Pearce and Nicky Davies trooped back to the pavilion and at 4-2, Town were once more in a pickle.
But captain Tom Baker slotted Simon Jones into the problematic number three batting position, and it proved a masterstroke.
The former Glamorgan speedster soon put bat to ball with three sixes and four boundaries changing the complexion of the game.
Though Jones eventually holed out for 46, he had struck a psychological blow, as the runs were to prove key.
Glamorgan Academy man Jeremy Lawlor made a solid 25 before he was run out, and it was left to captain Baker to hold the middle order together.
Thomas Cogbill (23) and Alex Jones (27) helped Baker deliver the bread, and the run-rate gradually accelerated.
Baker eventually went for a watchful 56 (one four off 87 balls), and it helped Town get up to 208-8 off a full 50 overs.
Spinner Tobin (5-041-3) met with most success while Owen Morgan (Glamorgan) possessed an economical 10-3-23-2.
However, when Morgan and Anthony Thomas started to hunt down 209, you would have thought they had trains to catch.
They raced the score on to 82 off just 14 overs, and at this point the Pirates were putting Bridgend to the sword.
But Tom Pearce got the vital wicket of Morgan and Simon Jones then removed Thomas – also for 35.
Suddenly, the game had changed and at 86-2, it was beginning to turn into a cliff-hanger.
Further wickets fell at 107 and 121 before Barney Huxtable and Tondu product Dan Rowe launched a fight-back.
The game was proving as changeable as the weather and at 130-4 rain sent the players sprinting for the pavilion.
The feared DuckworthLewis Method signalled a Port Talbot win by 12 runs, but luckily for Bridgend the rain ceased.
Surprisingly, as the delay was close to half an hour, there was no reduction in overs leading to a revamped target.
When play resumed, Rowe fell to Lawlor (10-131-2) for 11 and the return of Alex Jones, who was expensive with the new ball, proved the final momentum changer.
Huxtable, who has played for Devon in the Minor Counties Championship and captained the North Devon club, went to Alex Jones for 42 (four boundaries off 84 deliveries).
He followed it up in getting the wickets of both Richie Edwards (0) and Stuart Phelps (9) – and suddenly it was Bridgend who were sniffing a surprise win.
But captain Tobin put up the shutters, and they closed shop on 184-8 with Alex Jones returning 9-043-3.
The other significant deed came from the king of spin Nicky Davies, who in the heat of battle produced a miserly 10-4-220.
Though Town failed to see things out for the win, the sighs of relief in banking 16 points were picked up in Tondu.
Another home fixture awaits Bridgend this Saturday with title-holders Newport making their way to Newbridge Fields.
Newport were unhappy last Saturday that their home game with Ammanford was called off by the umpires after strenuous attempts were made to dry out the Spytty Park wicket.
Leaders Cardiff took advantage in defeating visiting Neath by four wickets to open up a 27-point gap on the champions.
Latest placings: Cardiff 201 points, Newport 174, Pontarddulais 169, Port Talbot Town 153, Mumbles 149, Neath 148, Bridgend Town 131, Ynysygerwn 118, Ammanford 113 and Penarth 94.