Bridgend Town Cricket Club
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Club History
Summary |Important Dates
| The Club Crest | Past Club Captains
| 1840 | Earliest recorded cricket matches v Cowbridge C.C. |
|---|---|
| 1850 | Bridgend Town v Maesteg. |
| 1870 | First 2nd XI match: Bridgend Junior XI v Southerndown. |
| 1877 | A letter addressed to the Editor, The Central Glamorgan Gazette, appeared in the newspaper on Friday, June 15. It followed the heavy defeat of the Bridgend Club by Cowbridge Grammar School the previous week. In their innings Bridgend scored a meagre 26 runs!
The reason to my mind is evident--no committee being appointed to decide upon the eleven. This important work is left to the Secretary, and although he has matured early in more ways than one, I think the members of Bridgend Cricket Club would do well to lose no time in forming a committee to elect the best men to represent us in the various matches, as is done elsewhere. If our club moves in this direction we shall have no more complaints of "certain strangers" being invited to take part in our matches to the exclusion of better men and who are moreover, members of the Club. It is common sense enough to believe that members play more energetically than non-members simply because the reputation of the Club is very dear to the former" Yours truly, |
| 1882 | Talks began about a possible amalgamation between the cricket and rugby clubs and even with the Volunteers--the 19th-century equivalent of the Territorial Army. "The drill, which seemed to many to be a great objection to a great number joining, lasted only for three quarters of an hour and was only once a week," said W. E. Lewis. |
| 1883 | W. E. Lewis scored 92 against Cowbridge, the first really big score for the Club. it was overshadowed later in the season by S. S. Clarke's 148 not out for Maesteg who batted all day for 288 for 5 and Bridgend did not get in to bat. |
| 1884 | Bridgend's only match in the South Wales Challenge Cup which ran from 1879 to 1886 was against Cardiff. "the Match from all points was a grand exhibition of cricket and Bridgend have every reason to be proud of the way in which they played. Neither team played to its full strength but that did not prevent it being a good match. The grand Exhibition of batting by W. E. Lewis, who scored 40 for Bridgend, was the most important feature in the day's play. The visiting team in their innings ran up to the respectable score of 111.The brunt of the bowling was borne by Barlow and Morris. The former bowled very fast and at one time the batsman seemed to funk him; but they afterwards hit him about. Cardiff might have been got out for a much smaller total but for one great mistake which the Bridgend captain made at the commencement of the innings of the home team. Barlow and Robinson got together at the fall of the first wicket for 19 runs and remained so until they had put on 35 runs. The bowlers who were first put on bowled all this time and were well punished." |
| 1885 | Bridgend bowled out for 13 by Cardiff, who replied with 277 and 101 from E. W. Jones. |
| 1886 | Bridgend bowled out for 4 by Tondu H. R. Hillyer 2, E. Emery 2. |
| 1887 | W. R. Randall 102 not out v Cowbridge first century for Bridgend. |
| 1888 | Formation of Bridgend Wesleyan C.C. by disaffected club members. They played at Newbridge. |
| 1889 | W. Shepherd from Notts engaged as first professional. |
| 1890 | Theo Robinson of Somerset and Glamorgan scored 91 for his own team against Bridgend at Five Bells Field. |
| 1901 | The Ladies played the Gentlemen with the following unlikely result, With the men playing left handed, Ladies 79; |
Gentlemen W. M. Thomas (retired without prejudice).....49 |
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| 1902 | Bridgend bowled out for 12 by Lord Windsor's XI. |
| 1903 | W. Russell 10 and 8 wickets v Maesteg. |
| 1905 | W. M. Thomas 104 not out v Whitchurch first century at Whitchurch. |
| 1907 | Dr. A. D. Low 116 not out v Porthcawl. |
| 1908 | W. M. Thomas 101 not out v S. R. Cound's XI and 140 not out v Landovery College. |
| 1909 | Big crowd turned up to see Bridgend play Cardiff Cameron but the visitors failed to arrive. Dr. Allan Low then received a telegram "Regret lost train- unavoidable."; Professional Brown 8-17 v Parc Gwyllt; E. E. Hill 103 not out for Cardiff, Trevor Preece 102 not out for St. Fagans. |
| 1912 - 14 | No records of any Bridgend matches, but games played by Bridgend Congregationals, St. Mary's, Ewenny and Bridgend Foundry. |
| 1915 | Wartime matches played by the Yeomanry. |
| 1920 | No Bridgend matches, bur games played by St. Mary's, Bridgend Wagon Works, Cefn Cribbwr, Bridgend Rugbyites, Bridgend County School and Nolton Presbyterians. |
| 1923 | C. C. Smart of Warwickshire, qualifying for Glamorgan, scored 83 for Briton Ferry Town, hitting two balls out of the Brewery Ground. In the return match he scored 103 not out. |
| 1924 | Bridgend v Cardiff City Football Club. |
| 1928 | Moved to Coychurch Road Ground. |
| 1931 | Gerald Edards of Bridgend C.C. scored 114 for Melbourne against an Australian XI. |
| 1935 | E. H. Elwell 98 v Cowbridge. |
| 1937 | Horace Edwards 100 v Maesteg. |
| 1947 | Bridgend met Southerndown to raise money for Emrys Davies, The Glamorgan all rounder's benefit. First matches after the war. E. R.; K. Glover 8-49 v Barry in front of 3,000 crowd; W. Lloyd 8-9 off six overs against Treorchy. |
| 1948 | Club moved back to Newbridge Fields. Emrys Davies of the Bridgend club 7-9 and 8-27 v Cardiff. |
| 1949 | Bridgend Town Cricket Club v Cardiff City A.F.C. played on Wednesday, August 3rd in aid of the National Playing Fields Association; Young Austin Bampfylde became the first ever Bridgend player to score a century at Newbridge Fields, when, in July he hit 102 for the 2nd XI against Crynan. Later, Austin was presented with a Cricket bat by Emrys Davies, the Glamorgan and England Test Player in recognition of his performance. |
| 1950 | Hills Plymouth team v Bridgend included Eddie Thomas, then welter-weight boxing champion, later manager of Colin Jones and other boxing stars; Glamorgan Club and Ground v Bridgend in testimonial for George Lavis. |
| 1951 | Bernard Hedges played for Pontypridd against Bridgend; Glamorgan Club and Ground v Bridgend, (Festival of Britain Match) Haydn Davies Benefit Match; The arrival of women's cricket at Newbridge Fields caused some controversy within the club. It was the first-ever women's county match played in Wales, Hampshire and Dorset meeting a Combined Glamorgan and Gloucestershire XI. The match was arranged as part of the town's Festival of Britain celebrations. |
| 1952 | Bridgend Town v Glamorgan County Colts played in Cardiff Athletic K.O. Competition. They lost to Newport in the semi final by 2 wickets. |
| 1953 | Bridgend were involved in 2 fixtures against the touring Pakistan Eaglets side, who were brought to Wales under the management of Somerset's Bill Andrews, then professional at Ebbw Vale. The team included Fazal Mahmood and Billy Ibadulla. At Newbridge Fields in early June they reached around 40 for 1 before a hailstorm put a stop to play. A month later the Eaglets came back to play a combined Cowbridge and Bridgend XI at Cowbridge; Bridgend v Glamorgan Colts. |
| 1954 | Bridgend played the full Glamorgan XI in a Len Muncer Benefit Match. |
| 1956 | Gwyn Thomas 8-37 v St.Fagans. |
| 1957 | Ron Durston 144 v Witney, Oxon (Club record); A. P. Bampfylde 102 not out v Whitchurch. |
| 1958 | First moves to form a youth team; Runners up in the Empire News Brighter Cricket Cup. |
| 1959 | Doug Davies 9-20 for Cowbridge v Bridgend. |
| 1960 | Cricket Club amalgamated with Bridgend Hockey Club. |
| 1961 | J. O'Brien 9-38 v Cardiff H.S.O.B. |
| 1963 | First Sunday cricket match played at Newbridge Fields. |
| 1964 | Don Ward 6-14 Maesteg Celtic v Bridgend. |
| 1966 | Glamorgan 2nd XI v Warwickshire 2nd XI played at Newbridge Fields. |
| 1967 | Glamorgan 2nd XI v Gloucester and Somerset 2nd XI played at Newbridge Fields. |
| 1968 | Welsh Club Cricket Conference came into existence. |
| 1973 | Clive Richards 140 Maesteg Celtic v Bridgend; Fred Coombes 9-11 v C.H.S.O.B. |
| 1974 | Won Conference Six-a-Side tournament at Pontypridd; Ken Kingston 10-53 for Pontymister v Bridgend. |
| 1976 | A. Frew 9-23 v Pontllanfraith 2nds in only his fourth game; Bridgend win Sinclair Cup of Bridgend and District Cricket League for fourth time in six years. |
| 1977 | Ogwr Youth Cricket League formed; G. Thomas 8-13 v Pontymister. |
| 1978 | Won Welsh Club Cricket Conference Championship for the first time. |
| 1979 | Reached the final of the Welsh Cup, then called the Percy Jackson Cup but lost to Ynysygerwn. |
| 1980 | Club forms 3rd XI playing in the Morgannwg Cricket League. |
| 1983 | Keith Hobby 101 for 3rd XI v St. Fagans. |
| 1986 | Club forms 4th XI playing in the Morgannwg Cricket League; Jeff Davies 101 not out for 3rd XI v Goytre. |
| 1987 | Robert Guest 143 for 4th XI v Swansea Taverners; Inaugural match against Cowbridge for 1840 cup, Presented by Gerald Leeke to commemorate the first match played by both clubs. |
| 1988 | 3rd and 4th XI's join the West Wales Cricket Association; David Passey 102 not out for 3rd XI v Neath, Pete Stanton 100 not out v Newport Fugitives. Alistair Dalton 100 not out v Kingsbridge, Devon; Bridgend won Conference K.O. Cup final played a Radyr against Abercynon; Bridgend 2nd XI won the Second XI Championship in the Welsh Club Cricket Conference; Bridgend 3rd XI won West Wales Cricket Association Championship. |
| 1989 | 3rd XI repeat W.W.C.A. Championship win. 2nd XI runners up in Conference; Alun Bunston 106 not out v Abergavenny, Martin Evans 102 not out v Saundersfoot, Chris Rogers 133 v Cimla, Alistair Dalton 106 not out v South Wales Hunts; Resigned from the Welsh Club Cricket Conference. Founder member of Welsh Counties Cricket Alliance to commence in Season 1990; Club forms a 5th XI to be named Bridgend Town Occasionals with the intention of playing friendly cricket only. |
| 1990 | Club celebrate 150th Anniversary. Celebration dinner held at The Heronston Hotel on the 22nd June. First ‘Cricket Week’ staged in late July. One-off commemorative matches against Glamorgan CC, Welsh Counties Alliance, England Ladies XI (rained off); Launch of annual commemorative match against Trowbridge (1840 Dragon Cup) and annual fixture against Mark Titley Invitation XI; 1st XI runners-up in inaugural season of Days Medical Welsh Counties Cricket Alliance, Chris Day takes most wickets in the League (54 at 16.07 each); 3rd XI West Wales Cricket Association Knock-out cup runners-up. Richard Gregory 102 not out v Gowerton (first century by club player in West Wales Cricket Association). Tony Green hat-trick v Rogerstone; Alistair Dalton scores first century by club player in Alliance. |
| 1991 | Pavilion destroyed by fire in January; Former 1st XI opening batsmen Alistair Dalton makes debut for Glamorgan CC; 3rd XI win West Wales Cricket Association League for the third time in four years. Andrew Osborne 115 not out v Bridgend Town A.F.C., Chris Rogers 133 v Cimla. |
| 1992 | Inaugural member of the Welsh Cricket Championship (played on Sundays); 3rd XI runners-up in West Wales Cricket Association but win W.W.C.A. knock-out cup. Carl James 106 v Swansea, St John Towell 113 v Ammanford; Colin Kelly hat-trick v Cardiff Y.M.C.A; Richard Gregory becomes first player to score successive centuries in League Cricket; Scott Purdie becomes first player to score 150 (against Tredegar Blue Ribbon); Adam Hathaway wins Welsh Counties Cricket Alliance wicket-keeping award. |
| 1993 | Grant Humphries scores 136 not out for 1st XI (replacing previous highest score set in 1985 by J Keen). Other first time club centurions were David Hearing 112 v Westbury-upon-Severn and Max Brown 146 v Wick; Tony Frew took a hat-trick against Maesteg Town, Kevin Ridge wins Welsh Counties Cricket Alliance Bowling Award (31 wkts at 10.22). |
| 1994 | Home league matches against Tondu now played for the Garforth Old Trophy in memory of the local cricket stalwart who had played for both clubs; St John Towell wins Welsh Counties Cricket Alliance Bowling Award (27 wkts at 11.88); Jamie Rice takes nine wickets against Cowbridge in the 1840 Cup Match (11-1-48-9). |
| 1995 | Club scores 402-2 v Bath Civil Service. Grant Humphries (183) and Ian Henry (126 not out) put on 296 for the first wicket; Grant Humphries scores 190 v Tredegar Blue Ribbon. |
| 1996 | Grant Humphries wins Welsh Counties Cricket Alliance batting award (1160 runs av. 89.23), his highest score is 168 for against Pontypridd in a first wicket stand of 260 with Alan Bunston; Stuart Seaton scores 154 for 2nd XI v Newbridge; West Wales Cricket Association reforms into two Divisons, 3rd and 4th XI play in Divison 2. |
| 1997 | 1st XI finish runners-up in Welsh Counties Cricket Alliance; Grant Humphries scores his tenth century for the 1st XI and wins Welsh Counties Cricket Alliance batting award (594 runs av 45.69). Alan Dodd takes 56 wkts for the 1st XI at 11.23 each and wins Welsh Counties Cricket Alliance bowling award; Mark White wins Alliance 2nd XI batting award; 3rd XI win West Wales Cricket Association knock-out cup. J Keen scores four consecutive centuries for 3rd XI in West Wales Cricket Association Division II (130, 108, 105 not out, 102 not out) and wins West Wales Cricket Association Division II Batting and Special Awards; Jake Collier takes nine wickets against Radyr for 2nd XI (24-3-77-9). |
| 1998 | Go-ahead for construction of new pavilion is finally agreed. Finance comprises grants from Sportslot, the Foundation for Sports and Arts and monies raised through the clubs own fund-raising initiatives; Former Club Captain and Chairman Charles Griffiths recieves the MBE for services to cricket, particularly in recognition of his efforts in developing youth cricket in the Bridgend area; 2nd XI are runners-up in Welsh Counties Cricket Alliance. Mark White and Jack Collier win Alliance 2nd XI batting and bowling awards respectively; 3rd XI win West Wales Cricket Association Division 2. J Keen and K Hobby win West Wales Cricket Association Division 2 Batting and Bowling Awards respectively. |
| 1999 | New Pavilion is opened by Stuart McGill (New South Wales and Australia) on the 7th May. Generous donations by John Dalton, Julian Plow, Chris Williams, John Morgan and the Bridgend Taverners ensure that it is furnished to a high standard; Cricket Leagues in South and Southeast Wales are reformed. Bridgend are placed in Division 2; Rob Pearce wins East Wales League Division 2 2nd XI bowling award; Howard Ling takes nine wickets for 4th XI against Maesteg (9-1-16-9) and wins West Wales Cricket Association special award; Morgan Evans scores 104 v DVLA Cavaliers. |
| 2000 | The club hosts dinners for Robert Croft (Glamorgan & England; benefit) and Jeff Thomson (New South Wales & Australia); 4th XI win West Wales Cricket Association Division 2; Paul Heatley aged 14yrs becomes the youngest player in club history to score a century in league cricket (105 v Briton Ferry Steel); Five young cricketers are selected to play for Wales – R Davies (U15), P Heatley (U14), R Osborne (U14), J Davies (U14), T Cooke (U13). |
| 2001 | Club forms Ladies XI; The 1st XI finish runners-up in Division 2 of the South Wales Cricket League, Martin Evans scores 100 not out v Barry and Grant Humphries 153 v Newbridge; The 3rd and 4th XI's join the new Welsh Club Cricket Conference with the 4th XI finishing Division 3 runners-up. Captain Andy Marvell finishes top of the Division 3 batting averages scoring 167 runs at 27.67, while Howard Ling finishes top of the bowling averages, taking 21 wickets at 7.57. |
| 2002 | Jonathan Davies (for 2nd XI v Ebbw Vale) and Tim Cooke (for Midweek XI v Rushwick) both receive their Hat-Trick ties; Marc Jones (159 not out for 2nd XI v Llanarth) and Chris Bushell (100 not out for Midweek XI) score their maiden centuries for the club; Morgan Evans finishes top the 3rd XI Division 3 batting averages scoring 296 runs at 98.67 and Howard Ling finishes top of the 4th XI Division 3 bowling averages for the second year running taking 23 wickets at an average of 9.48. |
| 2003 | The 4th XI finish runners-up in the Welsh Club Cricket Conference Division 5 2ndXI. Peter Stanton receives a Special Award from the Conference for scoring the 1st century (152 not out v Senghenydd for 3rd XI) in Division 5; Grant Humphries and Alistair Dalton record centuries for the 1st XI (115 v Blackwood and 103 v Barry respectively). |
| 2004 | Grant Humphries is awarded the Wisden Club Cricketer of the Month for May after scoring four consecutive centuries for the 1st XI (100 v Cefn Fforest, 102 v Brecon, 114 v Barry and 207 not out v Pontymister. He scores 906 runs in the season with an average of 64.71; Suranga Dharmasiri acheives the best bowling figures for a 1st XI player in the South Wales Cricket League with 15-6-21-7 v Ponthir; The 2nd XI win the South Wales Cricket League 2nd XI Division 1 title and gain promotion to the 2nd XI Premier League; spinner Darren Lingley finishes top of the League bowling averages taking 31 wickets at an average of 11.10. |
| 2005 | The 1st XI win the South Wales Cricket League Division 2 title and gain promotion to Division 1; Grant Humphries scores the highest ever individual score for the club beating his own record with 235 not out v Pontymister. He also tops the Division 2 batting averages with 786 runs at an average of 87.33; 14 year old Daniel Allen becomes the youngest player to score a century for the club with 105 for the 4th XI v Caerphilly and Bedwas; Bradley Wadlan and Phillip Cadogan also score their first centuries for the club with 122 for 2nd XI v Chepstow and 130 for Sunday XI v Great Western respectively. |
| 2006 | The 4th XI win the Welsh Club Cricket Conference 2nd XI Division 4 title with a hard fought victory over Blaina on the last day of the season. Richard Morgan claims a club record for most dismissals in a season in the South Wales Cricket League. Alex Frew and Jamie Russell get their club centurian ties. |