Bridgend Town Cricket Club
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Club History
1840 - 1927
The club's earliest recorded cricket match was against Cowbridge C.C. in 1840. Records for the next 30 years are scarce but regular matches are thought to have been played against Cowbridge, Maesteg and Cardiff. In 1887 W. R. Randall recorded the first century for the club (102*) against Cowbridge, however in 1888 disaffected members of the club formed Bridgend Wesleyan C.C. and played at Newbridge.
Until the first world war the club played regular matches and in 1909 a large crowd turned up to see Bridgend play Cardiff Cameron but the visitors failed to arrive, with a lost train cited as the reason.
1928 - 1979
In 1928 the club moved to Coychurch Road where they remained until their return to Newbridge Fields in 1948. In the following season young Austin Bampfylde became the first Bridgend player to score a century (102 for the 2nd XI v Crynan) at Newbridge Fields.
In 1951 the arrival of women's cricket at Newbridge Fields caused controversy within the club. It was the first ever women's county match played in Wales.
The 1960's saw several Glamorgan 2nd XI matches played at Newbridge Fields including Glamorgan 2nds against Somerset.
In 1968 the club joined the newly formed Welsh Club Cricket Conference and won in for the first time in 1978.
1980 - 1997
The 1980's saw the club expand and a 3rd and 4th XI were formed. Both played in the Morgannwg Cricket League with Keith Hobby (101 v St. Fagans) and Robert Guest (143 v Swansea Taverners) scoring the first centuries for the respective teams.
In 1988 both the 3rd and 4th XI's joined the West Wales Cricket Association and this coincided with the club enjoying unparalled success. In 1988 the club won the Conference K.O. Cup Final and the 2nd and 3rd XI both won they respective leagues. The 3rd XI went on to win the league 3 times in 4 seasons and also added a Knockout cup victory in 1992.
The club celebrated its 150th anniversary in 1990 and a special "Cricket Week" was staged in late July. This saw the club play one-off matches against teams including Glamorgan C.C. and the Welsh Counties Alliance. 1991 saw 1st team opener Alistair Dalton make his debut for Glamorgan, however a dark shadow was cast over the season as the club's pavilion was destroyed by fire.
For most of the 1990's the club was in a stage of transition. There were several noteable performances, with Grant Humphries (136* 183 and 190) breaking the club's highest score and going on to win the Welsh Counties Cricket Alliance Batting award in both 1996 (1160 runs at 89.23) and 1997 (594 runs at 45.69). Alan Dodd picked up the bowling award for taking 56 wickets at 11.23 apiece and Mark White won the 2nd XI batting award.
1997 also saw the 3rd XI lift the West Wales Cricket Association Knockout Cup for the second time with John Keen scoring four consecutive centuries (130, 108, 105* and 103*) and picking up the League's Batting and Special awards.
1998 - Present
In 1988 the club received the long awaited go-ahead for construction of the new pavilion, while Former Club Captain and Chairman Charles Griffiths received the MBE for services to cricket in the Bridgend area.
The club also tasted success on the field with the 2nd XI finishing runners-up in the Welsh Counties Cricket Alliance and the 3rd XI finishing champions of the West Wales Cricket Association Division 2.
The new pavilion was opened in 1999 by Stuart MacGill (New South Wales and Australia) with generous donations from John Dalton, Julian Plow, John Morgan, Chris Williams and the Bridgend Taverners ensuring it was furnished to a high standard. The 1st and 2nd XI joined the newly formed South Wales Cricket League.
In 2000 the 4th XI won the West Wales Cricket Assocation Division 2 and Paul Heatley became the youngest player to score a century in league cricket at the age of 14. The club hosts a dinner for Robert Croft's (Glamorgan and England) Benefit which features Jeff Thompson (New South Wales and Australia) as a guest speaker.
The following season the 3rd and 4th XI's joined the new Welsh Club Cricket Conference with the 4th XI finishing Division 3 runners-up. The club forms a ladies side who play on a Sunday.
2004 saw the 2nd XI win the South Wales Cricket League 2nd XI Division 1 and Grant Humphries is awarded Wisden Club Cricketer of the Month for May in recognition of scoring 4 consecutive centuries (100, 102, 114 and 207*). In 2005 the 1st XI matched the 2nd XI's 2004 feats by winning the 1st XI Division 2 title. Grant Humphries scored the highest ever individual score for the club with 236* v Pontymister and 14 year old Daniel Allen became the youngest player to score a century for the club with 105 for the 4th XI v Caerphilly and Bedwas.