Match Reports
1st XI |Sat 11th August
Town beat Ponty to go top
Pontypridd 181-9
Bridgend 184-4
Bridgend travelled to the bowlers graveyard also known as Ynysangharad Park on Saturday knowing that a win would put them in an excellent position for promotion as rivals Pentyrch were entertaining Barry.
After losing the toss, Bridgend were forced to field but the Town bowling and fielding proved too good for Ponty who were restricted to a below par 180-9 from their 50 overs. This was due in part to three run-outs, two from Dev Smith and some excellent spells from Colin Kelly (1-34), Ross Stenner (2-40), Chad Bushell (1-31), Smith (1-24) and Jamie Russell (1-12).
The Bridgend batting line up also looked particularly strong once again and opener Dan Allen helped himself to a fine 68, along with Stenner (24) and Bushell (28). With four wickets down it was left to Steve Hughes (28*) and skipper Spencer Collier (17*) to see Town home.
Barry losing to Pentyrch allowed Town to go to the top of Division 1 and a win at home to Barry next week should be enough to secure promotion back into the Premier League.
Sat 7th July
Bridgend clean up Hoovers
Hoovers 83
Bridgend 84-1
With last weeks crucial match against Pentyrch rained off, the 2nd XI recorded a much needed victory over Hoovers to close the gap on the top three and the two promotion places.
Despite another two weeks of rain, the Newbridge Fields pitch had held up remarkably well and looked like it might yield some runs. With Bridgend taking to the field first, bowlers Colin Kelly and Andy Jones opened up for Town and gave the Hoovers batsmen no chance to get their eyes in with the ever economical Geezer taking 1-13 from 10 overs and Shandy claiming 1-18 from his 10. Jamie Russell (1-10) bowled with some good pace and Ross Stenner kept the pressure on with 2-26 from 10 overs. However the bowling performance of the day came from Doctor Suranga Dharmasiri, who straight back from finishing his medical degree, mopped up the Hoovers tale taking 4 wickets for just 8 runs in 4.5 overs. This left Hoovers 83 all out after 42 overs.
After the early loss of Stenner, the Bridgend reply never faultered with Peter Stanton (33* ) and skipper Spencer Collier (22*) knocking off the runs in just 21 overs to lead Bridgend to a comprehensive 9 wicket victory
The team are now showing the sort of form that won them promotion three seasons ago but next week face a tricky game away at Ponthir, who inflicted leaders Pentyrch's first loss of the season on Saturday, bolwing them out for 99.
Sat 23rd June
Bridgend see off Fugitives
Newport 125
Bridgend 129-3
Bridgend faced second placed Newport Fugitives on Saturday and with Fugies looking particularly keen to get one over on Bridgend, (a fact not that had gone un-noticed by Bridgend with Fugies sending a representative to Newbridge Fields at 11.00am to inspect the wicket) skipper Spencer Collier won a vital toss and inserted the visitors.
Fugies had no answer to the classy Bridgend bowling attack who soon reduced them to 30-5.
Jamie Russell took 3-29 from his 10 overs, while Colin Kelly bowled a remarkable spell of 10 overs that included five maidens, conceding just 6 runs, and a claimed a well deserved wicket. Marc Jones (2-37) and Dev Smith (1-6 in five overs) also aided and abetted to leave Fugies on 125 all out, with 33 extras the top score.
The Bridgend batting line up looked particularly strong with Dan Allen and Ross Stenner opening up. Stenner, back at Bridgend after a spell with Neath was soon back in the swing of things before falling on 26. But Dan 'the Ferret' Allen top scored with 56 and Steve Hughes (20 not out) and skipper Collier (5 not out) saw Town home with 7 wickets in hand.
Next week's fixture is a crucial game at home to table toppers Pentyrch.
Sat 2nd June
Town defeated at Croesyceiliog
Bridgend 171-9
Croseyceiliog 172-2
The second XI slipped into the lower half of the Thomas, Carroll South Wales League Division One Second XI table after losing heavily at Croesyceiliog.
Bridgend batted first and reached 171-9 off their 50 overs with the only major contribution coming from Max Brown (44).
Richard Dunn took 3-31 for Croesy, Dan Evans 2-34 off 10 overs and Paul Layton a valuable 1-16 off 10 overs.
It wasn’t a bad target but Croesy soon made it look poor as Stuart Rodden made 34, leaving John Lewis (41*) and Dunn (36*) to do the rest and they finished on 172-2.
The only Bridgend bowler to trouble the Crosey batsmen was Colin Kelly with 2-31. This leaves Bridgend with alot of work to do to challenge for the two promotion spots and a must win game looms next week against Pontypridd at Newbridge Fields.
Sat 26th May
Town fall short against Whitchurch
Whithurch 177-8
Bridgend 172-9
A below strength 2nd XI lost their second game of the season falling an agonising five runs short of Whitchurch's 177-8.
Some tight bowling from Devlin Smith (3-32 from 10 overs) and Tony Green (2-20) from 10 overs) restricted Heath to 177 from their 50 overs with Owen Hopkins the only batsman in form with an innings saving 70.
Bridgend found the pitch a struggle, and with some tight Whitchurch bowling were quickly four wickets down. Malcom Troake (2-17) and Mark Pearce (2-26) doing the damage. This left Jame Russell (43) and captain Alun Bunston (24) to repair the damage and lead the run chase.
With 16 required from the last over, a tense finish was ensured. Andy Jones (17*) produced some big hitting, but it was in vain as Town were left five runs short after the 50 overs.
Sat 12th May
Five for Devlin as Town make it two on the bounce
Bridgend 172-5
Ponthir 159-9
The 2nd XI won their second match of the season on Saturday with a 19 run victory over Ponthir. Leg-spinner Devln Smith put in another fine performance taking 5 for 30 off seven overs, making him the club's leading wicket-taker so far this season with nine wickets in three games.
Following a week of rain the seconds were the only team to play this week and with the threat of more rain the game was reduced to 40 overs per side. After losing the toss Bridgend were put into bat on a damp wicket.
Aided by some sloppy fielding from Ponthir, Bridgend worked their way to 172-5. Openers Ian Keen and Peter Stanton were both in the runs with Keen getting 41 and Stants 37. Steve Hughes continued his run of good form and looked set for a third 50 in as many games before holing out on 46. However not before being involved in a mix up with Phil 'Kenny Everett' Cadogan who was run out in comical fashion.
Town's total looked a decent one on a pitch offering nothing to the batsmen but Ponthir began to chase down the total with Richard Asept scoring 43 and Rhys webb 31. The introduction of spinner Devlin Smith was again a pivotal moment as the young spinner ripped through the Ponthir middle order, leaving them stranded on 159-9 from their 40 overs.
Mon 7th May
Town get Hoovers in a spin
Bridgend 180-4
Hoovers 85
Following Saturday's defeat at the hands of main promotion rivals Pentyrch, Bridgend were keen to put in an improved performance and 2nd XI captain Alun Bunston certainly got what he asked for as Bridgend proved too strong for Hoovers.
The match was reduced to 45 overs to improve the chance of a result but the forecasted rain never materialised and after winning his second toss in succession captain Bunston elected to bat.
Bridgend found runs hard to come by and when Ian Keen was dismissed early on for 3 things did not look promising. However Bunston and Steve Hughes rallied strongly before the former fell on 42.
With only 13 overs left, Bridgend had only just reached 100, but some strong hitting by Jamie Russell (26) and Hughes (69 and a catch) who was in outstanding form carried Bridgend to 180-4 off their 45 overs - by no means a match winning score on a pitch that yielded over 500 runs two days before.
Bridgend needn't have worried though as their bowlers put in a fine all round performance. The econmical Andy Jones conceding just 12 from his 9 overs and the pacey Jamie Russell taking 2-27. Dan Boyle (2-15) also bowled superbly but the real pressure was generated by the blossoming partnership of veteran Colin Kelly and young leg-spin sensation Devlin Smith. Kelly took 3-12 off 6 overs and Smith took 3-9 from 9 as dot ball followed dot ball, before Smith ended the game with Hoovers all out for 85; by taking a smart catch at mid-off.
The bowlers were well supported by an excellent all-round fielding performance and Town will be looking for more of the same next week as they face Ponthir at Newbridge Fields.
Sat 5th May
Bridgend go down to Pentyrch
Bridgend 202-8
Pentyrch 205-5
Bridgend started the season witha tough away game at Pentyrch who are also looking for promotion after being relegated last season.
Bridgend batted first after skipper Bunston won the toss. Openers Bunston and Keen both got themselves in but Bunston was dismissed on 23 and Keen for 19. Steve Hughes looked in goof form following some intense pre-season netting and he top scored with 60. He was well supported by young Devlin Smith who made 31 on his 2nd XI debut.
Bridgend finished their 50 overs with the score 202-8. A decent total but defending it would require some tight bowling and fielding. This never materialised as Bridgend gifted Pentyrch 63 runs through extras.
J. Llewellyn top scored for Pentyrch with 85 as they chased down Bridgend's total with the loss of 5 wickets. Colin Kelly being the pick of the bowlers with 1 for 32 from 7 overs.
If Bridgend are to regain their Premiership status next season, a much better performance will be needed against Hoovers on Monday.