WELSH YOUTH LEAGUE
TAFFS WELL ................. 2 PENYBONT .................... 3
IOAN Clatworthy knocked in the winner, as Penybont Youth gained a muchneeded victory over Taffs Well under the Rhiw D’dar floodlights in midweek, writes Tony Poole.
The Cefn Cribwr BC wide operator produced the killer instinct in the 55th minute after the sides changed ends on 2-2.
Liam Williams shot the Baby Bonts into an eighth minute lead, but initial joy was tempered by a home equaliser three minutes later from Jimmy Driscoll.
But the Bont youngsters came again, and they went back in front on 17 minutes via rampaging Robbie Regan.
However, just a minute later it was a case of going back to square one, as on this occasion Tommy Phillips scored for the Rhiw D’dar side. Tony Poole.
Successive home victories over Ely Rangers and Neuadd Wen resulted in the Riverboaters becoming ship-shape, but that sentiment evaporate against Pontyclun, who completed a seasonal league double.
In a lively opening that saw Caerau star-stopper Matthew Rees pull off two tip-top saves, the River-
During the winter months, things have been moving in leafy Corntown, and several new members have been recruited.
This will not only increase competition for places in the two Saturday league teams, but it could also provide scope to field a team in both Saturday and Sunday friendly matches.
Other new initiatives for 2018 sees the club join the Vale of Glamorgan Midweek T-20 League while a Ladies team is competing in a Softball Festival on June 3.
It will embrace Girls U9 in the morning and during the afternoon it will be the turn of young women over the age of 14.
After Clatworthy netted early in the second half both sides had chances in front of goal without the scoreline being disturbed.
And it resulted in just a fifth league win of the season from 17 starts with three drawn for the Baby Bonts, who remain anchored in 11th position in the table.
Afan Lido are destined to be crowned Welsh Youth champions with only Garden Village, who have games in hand, holding a realistic chance of catching them. boaters moved into calmer waters.
A Lewis Kingdon free kick brought out the best in Pontyclun goalkeeper Jimmy Billington only for the visitors to go on and dominate the opening half.
Another fine Rees save kept Caerau on terms, but their luck ran out on 28 minutes when Joel Woodington fired them in front.
Further details on female cricket is available from Carys Stallard via carys. stallard70@ gmail. com or on 01656 880938.
And Vale are also committed to a second season of activity of ECB All Stars cricket for boys and girls of ages five to eight.
This programme commences on May 15, and will operate for eight weeks. Club chairman Gareth Andrews at gareth. andrews@ gmacl. co. uk can provide further information.
Vale courtesy of a team of 12 qualified coaches will also offer cricket to boys and girls at U9, U11, U13 and U15 levels.
During the close season, Aaron Davies, Joseph FORMER Betws and Caerau striker Thomas Walters had a trial with Cardiff City last Monday evening, writes Tony Poole.
Walters, who signed for Nathaniel Cars Welsh League Division One club Goytre United last summer, played for the Bluebirds in an U23 Premier Development League Two match against Bolton Wanderers at the Cardiff City Sta-
Caerau then nearly levelled via top scorer Jack Page, but it remained 1-0 until the 53rd minute.
After substitutions were made, Jimmy Gronow doubled the Pontyclun advantage from close range.
However, the Riverboaters weren’t sunk, as lively Kingdon kept pumping dangerous crosses into Davies and Philippa Allen have been invited to play for Wales with Gethin Merry, Idris Merry and Sam Sheppard winning favour with the Cardiff & Vale selectors.
Finally, discussions be- tween Vale and Cardiff University Ladies CC have already led to the Students playing all home matches in Corntown, and further joint-projects to promote female cricket are in the offing.
The Bridgend College student was in the Welsh side that drew 1-1 against their Northern Ireland counterparts at Armagh City FC.
Though a goal down at half time, an inspirational performance from captain Guto Williams (Bangor City) led to Wales getting back on terms.
The goal came on the break in the 51st minute through a sublime finish on the right edge of the penalty area from Osian