Match Reports
1st XI | 2nd XI | 3rd XI |Sat 22nd July
Bridgend line up promotion as they beat Mountain Ash
Mountain Ash 163
Bridgend 165-6
Bridgend Town Fourths battled back from 86-5 in pursuit of 164 to pick up an exciting victory at Mountain Ash.
The omens looked gloomy for Andrew Marvell's side with their top bats back in the hutch, including main man Marvell (19).
But Town retaliated with Timothy Bushell and Iwan Bunston figuring in a 75-run stand for the sixth wicket.
Bushell eventually went for a match-winning 45 while young Bunston displayed some of his father Alun's gritty qualities in ending up unbeaten on 28.
Adam Davies went on to inch Bridgend past the winning post on 165-6 with five overs in hand.
Earlier, 14-year-old spinner Devlin Smith took 3-31 off eight overs and Huw Roberts 2-21 as the Old Firm were restricted to 163.
Sat 5th August
Ton up for Frew as Bridgend smash records
Bridgend 346-6
Pontllanfraith 98
This was a record-breaking day for Bridgend Town Fourths as they stormed to a 248-run win over Pontllanfraith Seconds at Newbridge Fields in the Thomas, Carroll Welsh Club Conference Division Four.
Fortunately, captain Andrew Marvell had packed his record books, and he came up with the milestones as they unfolded in dramatic fashion.
Marvell was thrilled with the wondrous score of 346-6 that bettered the 292-8 they got at Crumlin back in 2004.
It also represented a record victory margin while, on the individual scene, young Alex Frew scored more runs in one innings than his father Frank during a career that spanned a quarter of a century.
Young Frew blasted an explosive 119 (one six, 20 boundaries) to also better the seasonal aggregate fourth-team total of his godfather, master-blaster Robert Guest, during the last century.
He figured in a 131-run stand for the second wicket with ex-Coychurch star Bob Pearce, who slowed things down for Pont with a steady 35.
Lee Scott got 40, and the stage was then set for star attraction Marvell to cut loose.
And the top darter didn't disappoint in thrashing four boundaries during a majestic knock of 66 that included a record fifth-wicket partnership of 118 with Timothy Bushell (44).
Pont, knowing they were unlikely to get 347 even if Marvell brought himself on, went for the barn-door game from the outset.
It might have taken Marvell's marvels 17 overs to make the breakthrough but with resistance broken, it was all downhill for the Gwent side towards 98.
Paul Minchington, bitterly disappointed to have played second fiddle to Marvell with the bat, got in on the record-breaking day in capturing 4-12, Timothy Bushell claimed 3-18 while Thomas Pearce, son of Bob, got 2-15.
Another disappointed player was paceman Harry Lime, who failed to take a wicket but, nevertheless, covered himself in glory at his customary spot at third man.
Whether Marvell and his men can now reproduce this form at home to leaders Penarth Fourths this Saturday remains the burning question.
Sat 12th August
Bridgend on verge of promotion after last ball win
Bridgend 178
Penarth 177-8
Excitment was at fever pitch as Bridgend Town Fourths improved their chances of promotion with a one-run victory over Penarth Fourths in the Thomas, Carroll Welsh Conference Division Four Second XI.
Penarth arrived in Newbridge Fields as leaders, but that counted for little against Marvell's marvels. However, it didn't look as if it was going to be Town's day, having batted first and been reduced to 63-6 by the 20th over. But significantly the Seasiders failed to take the big scalp of Marvell, who went on to make an all-run 32.
Though not at his best, Marvell nevertheless hit 32, figuring in a seventh-wicket stand of 54 with ex-Ffynone star Alan Jenkins (22). Another substantial stand then materialised between Timmy Bushell (17 not out) and big-hitting ace Paul Minchington (14) that lifted Bridgend on to 178.
The pick of the Penarth attack was Matt Birch, who returned a punishing 3-54 and Zia Gehlan took 2-30.
However, the Seasiders then swam with the bat, moving on to 81 without loss at the 19-over stage. And in a last throw of the dice, captain Marvell turned to leg-spin wizard Alex Frew, son of Frank. Young Frew parted the openers during a telling spell of 1-37 off 12 overs leaving pace to blast out the middle order.
Minchington stormed in to take 2-32 while Harry Lime was in sublime form taking 3-48. But the drama wasn't over as Penarth required 14 off the last over - and three off the final delivery.
And with captain Marvell coming to the end of his tether, he was relieved to see Lime claim a timely run out off the last ball. In the end Seasiders came up just a run short on 177-8, leaving Marvell's promotion dreams still very much alive. Ronnie Cox was the pick of the Penarth batting with a fine 55.
Bridgend's closing fixtures are Crumlin away this Saturday, and at home to Blaina on August 26.
Sat 26th August
Town clinch title with hard fought win
Bridgend 186-9
Blaina 91
It's not often former captain Howard Ling wins any game with a bat but this is what happened as Bridgend Town Fourths toasted title success in the Thomas Carroll Welsh Club Cricket Conference Division 4 Second XI.
Ling and Tim Bushell smashed the side's long standing. last wicket partnership - dating back to the heyday of Tony Poole's Ratpack - with an amazing unbroken stand of 55.
That removed Poole's name from the record books along with Brent Collins - but that's the nature of the sport.
After Alex Frew had smashed 35, Town were reduced to 95-8, and things looked gloomy for Marvell's marvels. However, big hitting Paul Minchington (7) helped Bushell put on 36 for the ninth wicket, leaving Bushell and Ling to rewrite the record books.
Ling finished on 22 and Bushell 46 as Town reached a respectable 186-9. Blaina were soon reduced to 35-6 by paceman Minchington (3-27) and Alex Frew (3-20).
The victory over Blaina rounded off a memorable season and one of the best since the Fourth team were founded in 1986.