Match Reports
Sat 25th August
Bridgend secure promotion
Fugitives 142
Bridgend 145-2
At last a hot summers day at Newbridge fields in what was the biggest game in Bridgend Town's history needing four points to guarantee promotion.
As club Captain Stuart Morris was sunning himself in Spain the captaincy was left in the safe hands of star stumper Dickie Morgan in the biggest week of his life with his first child due.
After much debate upon winning the toss Bridgend decided to field. Not much seemed to go Bridgend's way early on with pace ace Adam GEORGE Weaver picking up an injury in only his third over and Mabbs taking a wicket with a no ball.
The ever impressive Huw Kinsella (3 for 25) then picked up two wickets in two balls setting the platform bowling in partnership with Mabbs who has all season bowled accurately with good pace and was unlucky to end up wicketless with 10 overs for 27.
The introduction of Ali Dalton (3 for 26) from the Town end saw plenty of aggression and accurate bowling zipping the ball around creating pressure on the opposition. The fielding was excellent as it has been all season, with Weaver taking a trade mark diving catch over his head. Dalton then had the prized wicket of Fugitives' Captain Richard Jones caught behind.
After Kinsella and Mabbs impressive bowling from the A48 end it was time to introduce the spin king Darren Lingley much to the great pleasure of the large crowd gathering. With his first ball bamboozling the batsman he gained his first wicket, fittingly a few overs later taking the important wicket caught behind to gain four points to guarantee promotion - but the boys were not finished as a win was what was wanted by all. Lingley finished with figures of 3-17.
The Fugitives' innings finished on 142 with St John parrying a caught and bowled to that man Lingley lurking behind the umpire causing confusion with the batsman creating a run out.
A good tea as always was enjoyed by the boys who were looking far more relaxed and feeling extremely confident in getting the runs required.
Grant Humphries and Max Brown who have grown into an impressive opening partnership set the tone early on by taking the game to the opposition, finding the boundaries at regular intervals. Brown was first to go to a good catch for 18.
Humphries was smashing the ball to all parts and looking in exceptional touch, which has been the case all season, he reached his fifty in no time but was unlucky to nick the ball behind for 56.
Dalton, who has now settled on a bat which he has not managed to break yet, stepped up the gears and started to show how good a player he is. He commanded a presence at the crease and dispatched the bowling at regular intervals to all parts, with Kinsella (16*) at the other end also taking the game to the opposition with some lusty blows. Fittingly it was Dalton who ensured an emphatic 20 point win in the 25th over with a trade mark cover drive for 4, finishing on 42 not out with another red inker under his belt ensuring the average remained healthy!!!
Well done boys a great day for the club.
Sat 11th August
Town lose close encounter
Bridgend 238-6
Pontypridd 242-7
A bumper crowd at Newbridge Fields, courtesy of a joint match day sponsor from long time supporters, ROMA Medical and Watts & Morgan, saw Bridgend lose for only the third time this season to old rivals Pontypridd.
Thanks to some fine weather in the preceding week, Bridgend won the toss and did not hesitate in electing to bat. Grant Humphries once again looked in fine form racing to 36 before being surprisingly bowled by “Rocky” Behl (2 for 30). Two further wickets saw the Town in the precarious position of 59 for 3, however, with Alistair Dalton at the crease they still had hopes of a big total.
Dalton played beautifully, digging in at first and creating a solid partnership of 49 with St.John Towell (15), then flourishing in further partnerships of 33 with sensible Les Cutter (15) and 55 with skipper Stuart Morris (15). This final partnership looked to be gaining momentum when it was temporarily halted after Dalton cut a ball, hard into the ground and hit Pontypridd opening bowler Bishop on the side of the head.
The blow was such that it sent the 18 year old in to a state of unconsciousness, but thanks to some quick action from players and supporters, Bishop was attended to and stabilised before the emergency services could arrive. Once they had arrived, a 45 minute delay ensued as the paramedics attended to the young man on the Newbridge Fields square, before whisking him off to hospital.
When the Bridgend innings restarted, Morris soon fell, but star stumper Dickie Morgan joined Dalton, and duly saw him to his first hundred of the season. Dalton’s shot selection was exquisite, with some wonderfully timed off drives that left the Pontypridd fielders standing. Once passed three figures he then showed no signs of letting up and Bridgend finished their 50 overs on 238 for 6, with Dalton unbeaten on 121.
The Pontypridd response was equally as impressive as Dalton’s innings with Bridgend unable to get the early breakthrough that they desperately needed. The highlight of the Pontypridd innings was an excellent 99 from ex-Glamorgan batsman Johnny Hughes, who was well supported by fellow opening partner Russell Price (33). Despite being unable to take wickets, the bowling did remain tight with Huw Kinsella bowling 10 overs for 31.
Bridgend finally managed to take a wicket when Mabbs (2 for 53) had Price caught at cover by the skipper with the score on 111. However, Hughes was the prize wicket that the Town wanted, but it was not until the 40th over with the score on 189 that he eventually succumbed to Darren Lingley (1 for 62).
Although a large amount of damage had been done, Bridgend were still not out of it at this stage and Adam Weaver returned to the attack before the light faded too much, to take two quick wickets and finish a fine spell of 10 overs 2 for 29.
However, opposition captain Ryan Williams (42 not out) saw his team home with a fine knock, timing the run chase to precision, and ensuring that Pontypridd reached their target with 7 balls to spare.
This was an excellent game of cricket, which had it all – except a Bridgend win! Even so, with promotion rivals Barry and Rogerstone both losing away from home, Bridgend’s defeat hasn’t cost them too dearly despite giving up top spot to Penarth.
What this defeat does mean is that the Town now have a humdinger of a game against Barry next week on the island.
A good performance, which all can take heart from, has to be early to bed next Friday boys – Come on the Town!
First XI scribe
Sat 4th August
Town increase lead after winning a thriller in Aber
Abergavenny 182-8
Bridgend 183-8
Abergavenny is without doubt one the prettiest grounds in South Wales, so it was with much joy and anticipation that the Bridgend boys met early for the trip east. However, due to long traffic delays and some indecisive navigating, Bridgend only just arrived in time for the start and as a result, the home skipper claimed the toss and elected to bat. This was understandable seeing as the wicket looked flat and Aber had a strong batting line up which included current Glamorgan wicket keeper Mark Wallace.
What John Phillips didn’t legislate for was an excellent opening spell from Huw Kinsella (2 for 23) and Dominc Mabbs (1 for 25). Kinsella moved the ball sideways in the air and off the seam, removing ex-Glamorgan opening batsmen Andrew Jones for 8 and cleaning up Wallace for 4. With Mabbs equally impressive at the other end, Abergavenny found runs difficult to come by.
Phillips came to the crease and along with Brown (37) set about repairing the damage with an impressive partnership of 93. However it was tough going for the home side, as Bridgend’s fielding was on top form and Dalton and Lingley carried on where Kinsella and Mabbs had left off.
With still 12 overs to go and 7 wickets in hand Aber decided to have a dart at getting up over 200 and lost some quick wickets, with Phillips eventually out for a fine 62. Sensible Les Cutter bagged 3 for 42, and along with St.John Towell bowled excellent lines as the onslaught gathered momentum. Backing up the bowling the Bridgend fielders remained strong and managed to force two smart run outs leaving the innings to close on 182 for 8.
Although clearly tired from their fielding exploits, the Town felt that this total was more than gettable, and probably were the happier of the two teams as they sat down for an excellent tea.
Nor for the first time, the Bridgend reply was built around and absolutely outstanding innings from Grant Humphries. With the rest of the top six all falling in single figures, Humphries kept the innings together, driving and cutting with exquisite ease. It looked as though nothing would get him out and it took a bizarre double bouncer which left Humphries on all fours to see him back in the pavilion for an excellent 81.
With Humphries the sixth man out and still 67 required, partnerships from the lower middle order were always going to be the key to the Town reaching the required target.
Firstly a sensible partnership of 27 in just over 4 overs, between Les Cutter (17) and skipper Stuart Morris, meant that 40 was required from the last 10 overs. At one stage it looked as though these two would see the Town home but a rush of blood from Cutter brought star stumper Dickie Morgan to the crease.
Morgan and Morris moved the score along nicely and just as the Bridgend boys thought about relaxing a little, another twist occurred when Morris offered a return catch to left arm spinner Brown (4 for 38) and had to head back to the pavilion for 25.
Enter the Sarn Wanderer, Darren Lingely with just 15 required. Lingley managed to keep the Abergavenny attack at bay, while Morgan took up the challenge and saw Town home with 4 balls to spare. This was not without a scare or two along the way, but fittingly it was left to Morgan to hit the winning run and finish on 17 not out.
This win allied with Penarth’s game at Pontypridd being cancelled and Barry suffering a surprise defeat at home to Newport Fugitives, meant that the Town increased their lead at the top of Division One. However, it is not all plain sailing from here and Bridgend still have some really tough tests to pass, starting at home to Pontypridd next week.
Great team effort, one down three to go, you can do it boys – come on the town!
First XI scribe.
Sat 28th July
Town go top chopping down Fforest
Cefn Fforest 122
Bridgend 125-2
Stop the press, Bridgend 1st XI were able to play a game of cricket!
After two weeks of constant, end of the world type rain, Bridgend saw a parting of the waves, just long enough to beat bottom side Cefn Fforest. Despite heavy rain on the previous Thursday, Newbridge Fields had dried sufficiently to welcome the promoted visitors, who have found life in division one difficult this time around.
Having been on the end of some large scores this season, Fforest won the toss and elected to bat, although they may have been regretting that decision as Town paceman, Adam Weaver (2-14) nipped out Horton Snr and Jnr, to leave the visitors reeling at 8 for 2.
However, not for the first time this season, Town then saw their opponents fight back and they were made to work hard for a breakthrough, as a partnership of 80 between James Morgan (28) and David Fortune (50) blossomed. Thankfully, some smart work and quick thinking, not two phrases you often associate with star stumper Dickie Morgan, saw James Morgan stumped, off the impressive bowling of Darren Lingley (3 for 24).
Even so, at the drinks break Cefn Fforest were well placed on 101 for 3. A few home truths were provided from some of the senior players during the interval and this seemed to do the trick as Bridgend were a different side after the break.
Without doubt, the catalyst for this was an outstanding acrobatic catch from Adam Weaver, diving full length to take the ball left handed inches from the ground.
This was quickly followed by a direct hit from Chris Bushell to run out Gareth Bisp, and Town were now ticking over nicely. This, tied in with the introduction of Dominic Mabbs (3-8) at the A48 end, proved to be something of a master stroke, as the visitors crumbled to 122 all out.
While taking tea, unsurprisingly the skies greyed and threats of showers looked imminent. As a result, Grant Humphries (53) and Max Brown (32) set off to get the job done as quickly as possible. Their excellent opening stand of 101 in just 14 overs ensured Town reached their target in the 18th over, with Bushell and Kinsella seeing them home and guaranteeing 20 more points to send the Town back to the top of Division One.
To their credit, Cefn Fforest should be applauded for the part they played in the game, as the last 10 overs of the Bridgend innings was played in persistent rain and they could easily have come off and potentially foiled any hopes Bridgend would have had of winning.
Four games to go and facts are straight forward for Bridgend, win all their games and promotion will be guaranteed.
Let’s stick together and have one big push – come on the town!
First XI scribe.
Sat 7th July
Town take it to the max and clean up at Hoovers
Bridgend 265-8
Hoovers 131
For once the rain clouds disappeared and Bridgend Town were able to get back to playing some cricket. Two weeks of heavy down pours have meant that the Town had been left itching to get back to winning ways after the disappointment of losing to Barry last time out.
As the weather was set fair, Bridgend won the toss and elected to bat on what appeared to be an excellent wicket. Openers Grant Humphries and Max Brown soon confirmed that this was the case against an indifferent home bowling attack.
Humphries showed his usual class with a well compiled 89 although he did have to take something of a back seat for once as Brown stepped up a gear and was in punishing form. Max compiled a wonderful 120 including 7 sixes which introduced the Town skipper to a new hobby of “jaywalking”. Each of the sixes resulted in the ball being lost (whether into bushes or the B&Q car park!) At one stage there was a danger that Max would clean out all of the Hoovers ball supplies. Therefore loyal servants, Morris, Morgan and Weaver took up residence on the A470 to ensure that when the next one went out of the ground, they would at least be on hand to ensure it could be found.
Once the opening stand of 198 came to an end, Town were in a great position to launch an onslaught on the home attack with still over 13 overs to go. Yet due to a couple of questionable decisions and some poor shot selection Bridgend ended on a very respectable 265 for 8. It is important to note that home bowlers should be applauded for keeping things together, especially the pick of these, Simon Davies, who finished with 4 for 28 including a hat trick.
As usual the Bridgend bowling unit stocked up at tea, which by the way was the best so far this season outside Bridgend, and took the field determined to get amongst the Hoovers batsmen. This proved difficult, as despite not playing any real shots of aggression the Hoovers batsmen all hung in and made Bridgend work hard for their wickets.
Yet not for the first time this season, the Town bowlers worked well as a unit, spearheaded by an excellent spell of 10 overs 1 for 15 from Huw Kinsella and a fiery 10 overs from Ali Dalton who picked up 3 for 23.
Of the remaining bowlers, all them got in on the action with Lingley grabbing 2 for 29 (including a thick lip for keeper Morgan), sensible Les taking 2 for 7 and there was one each for Adam “the lawnmowerman” Weaver and Dominic “I will drive 500 miles” Mabbs.
Hoovers were eventually all out for 131 in the 47th over and this meant Bridgend took 20 points and strengthened their position in third place. With Penarth losing to the Town’s next opponents Rogerstone, and Barry rained off, there is just .25 between the top three which ensures that the remaining weeks of the season should be filled with great drama!
Great comeback – let’s try and start another winning run – come on the town!
First XI scribe.
Sat 16th June
Town lose their way against Islanders
Barry 180-5
Bridgend 130
Heavy bouts of rain in the preceding days meant that there was some doubt whether this division one clash would actually go ahead. Yet despite the heavy overnight rain, the ground was passed fit for play with Bridgend winning the toss and asking Barry to have first go with the bat.
Bridgend welcomed back last year’s player of the year, Adam Weaver, fresh from his first year of studying at the University of the West of England. With Huw Kinsella at the other end, Bridgend now have the most potent and quickest attack in the league and it wasn’t long before Weaver was back in his stride removing Barry danger man Mike Haswell in his fourth over. A second wicket soon followed and Bridgend looked firmly on top as Barry were reduced to 24 for 2.
However, two excellent and determined partnerships followed for Barry. Firstly Des Leeke (44) and skipper Lee Morgan (54*) set about rebuilding the Barry innings and then Morgan along with Ian Gadd (44) produced a fine partnership of 89, with some outstanding but at times reckless running between the wickets. In fact Bridgend were extremely unfortunate not have Gadd given out when he has at least two foot short of the crease after Les Cutter had thrown down the stumps.
Despite these partnerships, all of the Bridgend bowlers acquitted themselves well, with the pick being Weaver (3-42), and Darren Lingley who bowled his 10 overs for just 17 runs. There was a wicket each for Alistair Dalton and sensible Les Cutter as the Barry innings closed on a challenging 180 for 5.
The Bridgend innings had something of an unusual look about it with Grant Humphries away, so Max Brown and Steven Hughes opened for the home side. Both looked quite settled before receiving two disappointing decisions. Hughes was given out caught behind and Brown adjudged LBW for 17.
In form Ali Dalton (27) kept the Barry bowling at bay and formed a good partnership of 43 with Chris Bushell (30). However, when Dalton was out the home side lost their way and wickets fell at regular intervals and Bridgend were eventually all out in the 45th over for 130.
This was a disappointing end to a run of four good wins and the Town must now pick themselves up again quickly as the next three weekends see them on the road with first up a visit to Newport Fugitives.
Chin up boys – let’s learn from our mistakes – come on the town!
First XI scribe.
Sat 9th June
Town roll on as Humphries goes the Full Ponty!
Bridgend 298-5
Pontypridd 227
To say that Grant Humphries enjoys batting at Ynysangharad Park is something of an understatement. Granted it is without question the best batting wicket in the league and the outfield is like glass, but Humphries always manages to pull something extra out of the bag for this fixture and Saturday was no exception.
There was relief all around when skipper Morris called correctly and elected to bat as the heat soared past the 30 degree mark and the warm up left most of the Bridgend side feeling as though they had just completed a marathon.
From the first over Humphries looked in devastating touch and the score reached the 50 mark inside the first 10 overs.
However it was the arrival of Alistair Dalton at the crease that saw the fireworks really begin. Dalton also holds fond memories of Ponty Park from his first class playing days at Glamorgan and was in an imperious mood. Driving with venom, and pouncing on anything short he raced to fifty.
At the other end Humphries was just as punishing and it was a shame for Bridgend, and the sizeable crowd, when Dalton was disappointingly adjudged LBW for 60. Their partnership of 109 in 18 overs was nothing short of top drawer, but it also meant that the Town had a wonderful platform on which to launch a big total.
Despite a couple of quick wickets, Town didn’t let up and when 'Sensible' Les Cutter joined Humphries the advantage was really hammered home. A partnership of 88 in just 8 overs really placed Bridgend in the driving seat with Les making an excellent 44 not out and Grant finally out in the 49th over for an absolutely incredible 135.
There was no doubt that Town were the happier of the two sides at tea. But Bridgend had been here before and it was a little over 10 years ago that they had made a similar score at Ynysangharad Park only to lose with five overs to spare, and that day Humphries made 160!
Thankfully history wasn’t about to repeat itself, although for the first 18 overs of the Pontypridd innings it looked as though it might. Recently released Glamorgan batsmen Jonathan Hughes looked in good touch and it seemed as though he was going to take full advantage of the home wicket. However, with the score on 94 he had a rush of blood and holed out for 52 off the bowling Les Cutter with skipper Morris holding on to take a smart catch in the deep.
From then on Bridgend remained in control despite all of the Pontypridd batsmen getting good starts. With 13 overs still to be bowled the homeside resigned themselves to take maximum batting points, although they probably didn’t expect to foolishly throw away their wickets and allow Bridgend to take maximum bowling points from the game.
All of the bowlers performed remarkably well on what was an extremely flat wicket and an uncomfortably hot afternoon.
Reg Green (1 for 40) and Alistair Dalton (1 for 49) bowled a wonderful nagging length and both bowlers showed great skill and character to come back strong after the early onslaught.
Darren Lingley (2 for 48) was his usual self, bowling a number of his magic balls, this despite suffering sun stroke from over indulgence in the Pontypridd sunshine.
Sensible Les perhaps grabs the bowling headlines with 4 for 53 including the key wicket of Hughes, but a cracking 10 over spell for St.John Towell (1 for 32) cannot be underestimated.
This was a fabulous performance all round from the Town. The ground fielding was of the highest order, three good catches for the skipper and Richard Morgan once again confirming why he is undoubtedly the best wicket keeper in the league, producing another top notch performance behind the stumps.
Bridgend now look forward to the visit of high fliers Barry to Newbridge Fields next Saturday.
Great stuff chaps – come on the town!
First XI scribe.
Sat 2nd June
Town cruise on with another 20 pointer at Newbridge Fields
Abergavenny 169
Bridgend 170-4
Last Saturday Bridgend saw absolutely no threat of rain for the first time this season to welcome the visit of Abergavenny who fell into Division One on the last day of the season last year.
With the recent inclement weather conditions, the Bridgend wickets have been more conducive to bowling then batting, so the toss was once again vital. Thankfully Bridgend won it and asked the visitors to bat.
However, some doubts may have been cast as Abergavenny got off to a flier with former Glamorgan batsmen Andrew Jones looking to dominate the Bridgend attack. With the ball flying to all parts of the ground, the Bridgend bowlers and fielders managed to hold their nerve removing Jones for 29 and Cornock for 18. Huw Kinsella recovered well from the early onslaught to grab 2 for 37 off his 10 overs while Dominic Mabbs took 1 for 28 off his 6.
From then on the Abergavenny middle order all got starts but recklessly threw their wickets away, mainly due to Sensible Les Cutter who captured 4 for 13 and Ali Dalton who took 2 for 16. The other wicket taker was St.John Towell who took 1 for 39 from his eight overs.
When the Abergavenny innings closed on 169 with only 45 overs bowled, the home side could be thoroughly satisfied with their work although a little concerned that the visitor’s top score was Extras which totalled 38.
Bridgend set about their reply safe in the knowledge that they had 55 overs to reach the 170 target. After an early setback when Allen was removed in the first over, a classy partnership of 99 between Bridgend star batsmen Grant Humphries (52) and Alistair Dalton (68) ensued. Humphries looked backed to his best driving the ball with venom while Dalton punished anything off line and the Abergavenny bowlers had no answer.
It was something of a shock when Humphries offered a return catch to off spinner Horton, though Dalton continued on in the same vain and just about saw the Town home with Huw Kinsella (18 not out). When the end came Bridgend reached their target with still 13 overs to spare and another 20 points in the bag.
This win lifts the Town to 2nd place in the league with a difficult away fixture at Pontypridd next week to come. Despite missing a couple of key personnel Bridgend will be looking to keep the winning run going.
Another good win – come on the Town!
First XI scribe
Sat 26th May
Town cut down Fforest
Bridgend 252-6
Cefn Fforest 113
For Bridgend’s trip to recently promoted Cefn Fforest it seemed the weather would once again play a part in a game involving the Bridgend 1st XI.
With skipper Morris absent due to a close friend’s wedding (obviously not a cricketer!), star stumper Richard Morgan took over the reigns and duly lost the toss. As expected confusion ensued as it was not clear whether the home captain, James Morgan, had asked the visitors to bat or bowl?
With 22 players about to embark on the field, it became clear to Dickie that they had indeed been asked to bat.
With a rather green wicket and a disciplined opening home attack, Bridgend found runs hard to come by. Despite this, Grant Humphries and 16 year old Daniel Allen managed to record their first century partnership. Humphries took the lead role with a well constructed 79 and Allen made a patient 34 to ensure that their partnership would provide a solid platform for the remaining batsmen to launch their assault.
Not to disappoint, the Town middle order duly complied, with Huw Kinsella making a quick fire 36 and St.John Towell making a fabulous 55 from just 27 balls. Aided by some rather loose bowling from the home side’s 5th bowler, Town managed to record their highest score of the season finishing on 252 for 6 off their allotted 50 overs.
This was undoubtedly going to prove to be a challenging total for the home side, especially as they have failed to record a victory so far this season.
With Dominic Mabbs back from his latest jet setting adventure, the Town opening attack set about causing havoc in the Cefn Fforest batting line up. Kinsella bowled 10 fierce overs taking 1 for 46, and Mabbs bowling a rather miserly 10 capturing 3 for 22.
The first change partnership of Darren “the pride of Sarn” Lingley and “Sensible Les” Cutter proved equally effective with Lingley taking 3 for 14 and Cutter 3 for 27. For the second week in succession Town made some smart catches with stand in skipper capturing another 3 victims behind the stumps.
Only Andrew Royall with 41, gave any resistance and Fforest were all out in the 30th over for 113. This victory propelled Bridgend further up the table and they now look forward to the visit of Abergavenny to Newbridge Fields next Saturday.
Well done gents – an excellent 20 pointer!! Come on the town!!
First XI scribe
Sat 19th May
Town record first win of the season
Brecon 122
Bridgend 123-2
Finally, after the disappointment of the previous two league games being abandoned without a bowl being bowled, Bridgend were able to gain their first win of the season with a trouncing of newly promoted Brecon at Newbridge Fields.
Despite another week of consistent rain, Saturday brought blue skies and a blustery wind, with the ground being passed fit for 50 overs aside.
However, with a little bit of moisture still in the Bridgend wicket, the toss would be vital. So when Brecon captain James Davenport called incorrectly, Bridgend undoubtedly gained an early advantage when skipper Morris invited the visitors to bat.
With Huw Kinsella (3 for 22) and Alistair Dalton taking the new ball, Brecon found runs very difficult to come by, Kinsella extracting great pace from a slow wicket and Dalton using all of his skill and experience to stop the visitors from scoring. That said it still took the home side until the 10th over to get the break through they desperately required. But as the old saying goes “one brings two”, in this case one brought six, as Brecon were sent reeling to 58 for 6. As well as Kinsella, chief destroyer was St.John Towell who bowled 10 excellent overs taking 2 for 10.
A frustrating partnership of 32 gave Brecon some hope of respectability, but once again Darren Lingley’s “sarn doosra” came to the fore as he snapped two quick wickets with Chris Bushell (2 for 36) causing havoc at the other end.
Backed up by some excellent catching from Max Brown, Jamie Russell and keeper Richard Morgan, Brecon were all out in the 47th over for 122.
Although a relatively low total, in a similar situation to a fortnight before, Town knew that runs would still be difficult to come by and couldn’t take anything for granted.
However they need not have worried as the Brecon attack did not hold the same penetration and threat as their own, and Town coasted to victory in the 37th over for the loss of just two wickets.
Ali Dalton was in majestic form making a mockery of the visitor’s claims that the wicket was poor, with some sumptuous driving and pulling to finish just short of his half century on 48 not out. At the other end, Kinsella capped an excellent all round display with a well crafted and undefeated 41.
Bridgend’s next game is against last year’s division two champions Cefn Fforest. Despite having had a difficult start to the season, Fforest always prove difficult opposition, yet Town are hoping that they can now build some momentum and get a winning roll underway.
Come on the Town!
First XI scribe
Sat 5th May
Town suffer early season blues
Bridgend 125
Penarth 126-5
Lovely warm sunshine and beautiful blue sky – can it really be the start of the new cricket season?
The first league game of the season saw Bridgend entertain division one newcomers Penarth, who were relegated from the premiership last season. This would prove a stern test for Bridgend who narrowly missed out on promotion to the top flight last time out.
Bridgend won the toss and elected to bat on a wicket that, although appearing to offer some assistance to the opposition bowlers, would still prove a reasonably good surface to have first use of.
Despite an excellent opening spell from ex-Glamorgan opening bowler Mark Frost (2 for 8 from 10 overs), the decision seemed correct as Town raced to 82 for 2 in the 22nd over. This was due in the main to a solid partnership of 45 between Alistair Dalton (33) and Bridgend debutant Huw Kinsella (22).
Unfortunately for Bridgend, these two fell in quick succession and 82 for 2 soon became 92 for 6 in the space of just 5 overs. Mainly due to the spin combinations of Mark Thomas (1 for 19), Richard Skone (1 for 28) and James Docherty (4 for 22) havoc ensued for the Bridgend middle order and only skipper Stuart Morris (18) offered any sort of resistance. The Town finally fell for a disappointing 125, losing their last 8 wickets for just 33 runs, and providing Penarth with an additional 4 overs on top of their allotted 50.
If Bridgend were to have any chance of defending a way below par total, early Penarth wickets would be vital. Despite some excellent bowling from Kinsella, StJohn Towell and another Bridgend debutant Simon Motley (1 for 35), the Penarth openers Richard Skone (33) and Tom Sidford (18) remained resolute.
Penarth did find runs difficult to come by with the introduction of Darren Lingley (2 for 19) who bowled a superb spell of off breaks, leg breaks, sarn doosras, swingers, tempters and the occasional straight ball. Lingely removed the dangerous Skone and none of the remaining Penarth batsmen were comfortable against the Bridgend’s very own Murali. Lingley was backed up with some consistent bowling from Dominic Mabbs (2 for 15) but ultimately the lack of runs in the first innings meant that Penarth got home in the 41st over with 126 for 5.
Although this was an extremely disappointing start to the season, Bridgend can take many positives from the game as all their bowlers acquitted themselves admirably and the ground fielding was of a very high standard. Town now have the opportunity to put things right quickly with the visit of Hoovers, on Bank Holiday Monday.
Come on the town - It has been a long winter!
First XI scribe