DIVISION 3
PORTHCAWL .......... 168-3 ABERDARE ............. 166-8
PORTHCAWL returned to winning ways with a convincing seven-wicket victory over Aberdare although skipper Jack Tuck will be calling for catching practice after seven spills prevented an almost perfect performance by the Locks Lane side.
Aberdare’s recent double centurion Chris Shopland was an early victim to Rob Jones who rocked the visitors with two early dismissals. Jeremy Crocker and Tom Evans set about a recovery to advance the score to 115 when, Crocker who had led a charmed life, having been dropped six times, finally succumbed to Tuck for 59 which included eight boundaries. Evans was a real danger with his hard hitting but, with his score on 69, from 78 balls, he became the first of George Mead’s victims. The Aberdare talisman hammered three sixes and six boundaries and his dismissal was the beginning of the end for the visitors who ended their 50 overs on 165-8.
Mead impressed with 3-25 from six overs while Jones and Tuck completed their 10 over spells with returns of 2-25 and 2-34 respectively. David Lewis also bowled an aggressive 10 over stint with final figures of 1-24 and Mark Bevan, although wicketless from 10 overs, was frugal, conceding just 26 runs.
Openers Nick Morgan and Mark Dixon gave the Seasiders a perfect start, putting on 71 when Morgan fell for 25, finding the ropes four times. It was 91-2 when in-form Dixon was dismissed for 49 from just 42 balls, his hard hitting contribution containing two sixes and six fours. Wales over 50 international Steve Richmond ensured there was no collapse as, in tandem with classy Rob Jones, the pair added 71 for the third wicket, taking the hosts to the cusp of victory. Richmond was content to play the supporting role, with 18, while Jones again demonstrated his full repertoire with a superb innings of 56 not out from 69 balls, to lead his side to a welcome success. Hasseem Hameed, Tim Godsall and Giles Jones took a wicket apiece for the visitors.
GREAT WESTERN RAILWAY .................. 66-2 DAFEN WELFARE 2NDS ............................. 65
A FIRST win in three was the aim for Great Western Railway as they welcomed Dafen Welfare’s second side to Southerndown Cricket Field.
The away side came into this fixture in good form despite their defeat the week before, having won three in a row previously. The visitors won the toss and elected to bat, hoping to pile some pressure on the home side. However, the tone for the day would soon be set when Dafen Welfare lost an early wicket with just three runs scored. Things didn’t really improve for the away side as Khalid Afzal and Tom Marshall both took an impressive brace of wickets with Jamie Russell taking three wickets with three maidens as well. The away side couldn’t add any more runs as 65-8 became 65 all out in a less than inspiring batting display from the away side after just 24.4 overs. Anything but a home win by the time Great Western started their batting innings would have been a monumental shock. Great Western instead got down to business early and as Gavin Vigus racked up his 30 runs from just 45 balls, and Tom Marshall scoring 23 from a remarkable 17 balls it was evident that both sides wanted this fixture over as quickly as possible. The most inevitable of outcomes became a sure reality after just 16.1 overs as Great Western reached their target of 66 with just two wickets lost and the home side would win by a staggering 8 wickets. This win for Great Western leaves the Bridgend side 4th in the Division Three table but they will certainly face a much tougher test next week when they travel to Neath, a side that have won their last four fixtures.