Match Reports
1st XI | 2nd XI |Sat 28th July
Town edge out Monkswood in another thriller
Bridgend 215-8
Monkswood 214-7
The return fixture away to Monkswood promised to be a cracker and it was. Losing the toss Bridgend were inserted and made a solid start. Adrian Daniels got 39 and Ian Keen 32.
Veteran Steve Richmond, ever the sportsman walked after a ball struck him on the toe and somehow must have touched the bat on its way to the slip. The umpire at the bowler's end admitted after the game he hadn't a clue what had happened and couldn't have given it.
Carl James notched up a quick 26 and Alan Bunston 12. Alan's son Iwan pushed a ball off his toes for a lovely boundary, shot of the day until James Townley decided to test the criminal law of manslaughter by putting the ball onto the road for six, narrowly missing a car. James had taken legal advice from the skipper on this very point before blasting a very rapid 46. Skipper Jamie "I don't do dot balls" Morgan and Liam Weller saw the innings close at 215. A good score, but Monkswood had scored 248 last time the teams met..
Liam Weller and Andy "Shandy" Jones opened up with good spells, particularly Weller who was unlucky not to get a wicket in this spell. The skipper then brought on himself and Kerry Brett to try and maintain the good start. Brett did his bit, keeping the runs at a trickle and removing Jenkins for 59 but the skipper didn't, and runs came like the rain-deluge.
Townley came on and entertained the crowd as did Ian Keen, who had Malson caught on the boundary by Townley with a tremendous catch.
It came down to the last 2 overs. Monkswood needed 13 runs. The skipper thought he could still snatch defeat by bringing himself back on for the penultimate over and it could have worked with a 6 off the 3rd ball. Jones took a catch at the 3rd or 4th attempt to rescue Town's hopes.
With just another run off the over it was 6 to win for the hosts. Back came Weller to bowl the final over. With three runs, a run out and a good catch behind from Bunston junior the home captain faced the last ball of the game. One for an away win, 2 to tie, 3 for a home win. A square cut to Bunston senior, ever the old head, calmly collected it returned it to Bunston junior who took the bails off with only 1 run completed.
A tremendous win for a great team performance. It has to be said that Monkswood were great hosts, very sporting and graceful in defeat (especially when closer examination of the books might have suggested a different result), but as their captain said "we aimed for 216 and we have shaken on it".
True sportsmen.
Sat 7th July
Bridgend fall short against Monkswood
Monkswood 248-4
Bridgend 203-7
Playing their first game in a month due to bad weather, the Third XI faced league leaders Monkswood at home.
With the Newbridge Fields pitch looking particularly damp, Skipper for the day Steve Richmond had no hesitaton in inserting the visitors. However a strong wind seemed to affect all the Town bowlers who found themselves unable to get the ball in the right areas throughout the 45 overs.
Huw Roberts (1-41) claimed a wicket in the first over but that was as good as it got for Town as the Monkswood batsmen piled on the runs and misery. Spinner Jamie Morgan took two wickets in one over but could not stop Monkswood reaching 248-4 at tea, with R Jones unbeaten on 110.
After beating Monkswood in similar circumstances last season. Bridgend believed they were in with a shout, but 3 early wickets saw their hopes evaporate as Richmond, Moruzzi and Ling were all quickly sent back to the pavillion.
Adrian Daniel once again anchored the innings, as he and Alan Bunston set about building a platform against some useful Monkswood bowling. The pair added 120 for the fourth wicket before falling in quick succession, Bunny scoring 52 and Denzel 51.
With over 10 an over required and victory out of reach, youngsters Dan Boyle (27*) and Iwan Bunston (19) showed some of their potential as they guided Bridgend to 203-7, some 45 runs short.
Sat 9th June
Crimp blasts Bridgend away
Bridgend 196
Penarth 197-3
Bridgend fell victim to an inspired performance by former Penarth 1st teamer Rob Crimp who put in a superb performance with both bat and ball to lead Penarth to a seven wicket victory over the Town third XI.
With the sun blazing down on Newbridge Fields, skipper Jamie Morgan won the toss and had no hesitation in batting first on what, somewhat unusually looked like an excellent Newbridge Fields batting track.
For once this proved true as openers Adrian Daniel and Steve Richmond started with a full head of steam, pushing the Town score along at close to six an over. However the Penarth opening attack stuck at it and claimed three quick wickets to leave Bridgend reeling on 63 for 3.
This brought Carl James and Jonny Ling together at the crease and both proved to be in inspired form. After sweating out the night before's excesses they both set about piling on the runs and made Penarth toil in the heat.With thirty overs gone they passed the 100 partnership mark and an large total looked on the cards for Bridgend. But the introduction of Penarth captain Crimp into the attack brought the breakthrough Penarth needed and Ling fell victim on 50 to a leading edge.
With wickets in hand and the score on 175, Bridgend looked to add some quick runs but disaster struck as the next four batsmen were dismissed for ducks before James finally fell for 66. Penarth then mopped up the tail with Crimp finishing with 4-14 and Nigel Stevens 3-52 to leave Bridgend on a disappointing 198
Despite not getting the total they wanted Bridgend still had reason for opitmism as the Penarth batsmen had spent a sweltering two and a half hours in the field. This, along with some tight Bridgend bowling from Huw Roberts (3-31) and Matt Daniel seemed to have the desired effect that was hoped for as Penarth struggled to just 47 after the first 20 overs.
Roberts then claimed three quick wickets for Bridgend, but this brought Crimp the crease, and he quickly left the Town bowlers sratching their heads as he proceeded to despatch them all over Newbridge Fields.
Crimp led Penarth over the finish line with five overs to spare finishing 80* along with Stevens on 60* and left Bridgend rueing a missed opportunity.
Sat 2nd June
Thirds back on form in St Fagans friendly
St Fagans 246-5
Bridgend 248-4
Due to the odd number of teams in their division, the 3rd XI had no league fixture but played a high quality friendly match against St Fagans V's
St Fagans won the toss and elected to bat. Captain Morgan placed his faith in three new youth players making their debuts for the 3rd XI (Lewis Smith, David Allen and Josh Thomas) by handing them the new ball. They did not disappoint by all producing fine opening spells. But it was veteran Kerry Brett who produced the bowling performance of the day, conceding only 17 from his 8 overs and picking up one wicket.
Some sharp fielding from Carl Moruzzi produced a run out, leaving Morgan to claim another three St Fagans wickets for 52 runs from his 8 overs.
This left Bridgend chasing a large total of 246 from their 40 overs. This was quite a target but openers Steve Richmond and Moruzzi provided a solid base with 'Moz' scoring a quick half century before succumbing to a full toss.
With plenty of work still to do Carl James took up the attack and proceeded to batter the St Fagans bowling blasting a fine 82 which included four 6's and ten 4's. He then fell victim to the night before leaving Peter Stanton (17*) and Tim Bushell (24* including his first six) to guide Town to a fantastic win with two overs to spare.
Sat 26th May
Thirds fall at Mountain Ash
Bridgend 123
Mountain Ash 125-8
Facing Mountain Ash away and missing several of their usual line up the third XI chose to bat first on what looked like a good wicket. However this move backfired as wickets tumbled.
With a new 3rd XI record for the lowest score looking possible, Alex Frew (19) and Jonny Ling (39) and took up the fight and hung around long enough to see Bridgend to 100 before Ling eventually fell to a straight delivery. This left skipper Jamie Morgan (19) to guide the side to a total of 123 all out.
With the bowling attack also weakened due to some late call ups to the seconds, Town did not look as thought they would be able to defend their total. But the Mountain Ash batting also left something to be desired as they made hard work of thier run chase.
Tim Bushell took 2-16 and Kerry Brett 2-24 but the Valley's side hung on to claim a two wicket victory with Neil Thomas guiding the them home with 45.
Sat 19th May
Bridgend blown away by Caerphilly & Bedwas
Caerphilly 230-3
Bridgend 156-8
On a blustery Saturday at Newbridge Fields the 3rd XI played their first home game of the season against Caerphilly & Bedwas.
A week of rain had produced a soft and green looking pitch so after winning the toss, Captain Jamie Morgan had no hesitation in inserting Caerphilly & Bedwas. But Bridgend, fielding an understrength bowling attack due to several late call-ups were unable to make a breakthrough and the Caerphilly & Bedwas openers got off to a great start putting on 75 for the first wicket.
Bringing himself on first change and bowling off-spin into a ferocious wind, Morgan (1-39) claimed the vital first wicket, which was followed not long after by another, this time by Huw Roberts.
That was the last ray of sunshine for Bridgend as they found themselves unable to stop runs from flowing, although not helping themselves by putting down several sharp chances.
Jonny Ling claimed a late consolation wicket, removing opener Steve Griffin for 84, but Roger Jones proved another thorn in Bridgend's side hitting a quick fire 47 and guiding Caerphilly to 230-3 from their 45 overs.
With a strong batting side, Bridgend believed they were in with a chance of chasing down the total. But Caerphilly had other ideas and some tight bowling and fielding prevented Bridgend from scoring anywhere near the required run rate.
Adrian Daniel was once again Bridgend's top scorer with a hard fought 70, but found himself running out of partners. Carl James (12) and Jonny Ling (16) hung around for a few overs but could not build on their good starts and the only other batsman to contribute was Huw Roberts with 17.
Bridgend finished on 156-8, 74 runs adrift of Caerphilly and will need a much better performance next week if they are to beat Mountain Ash.
Sat 5th May
Bridgend start season at the top
Bridgend 225-5
Croesyceiliog 173
After narrowly missing out on promotion last season, the 3rd XI have set their sights on finishing in the top two this year. With a good blend of experience and youth their prospects look promising.
Croesceiliog provided the first test of the season and once Jonny Ling and Dan Boyle had arrived after taking a short detour to Cwmbran, captain Jamie Morgan elected to bat.
Youngsters Adrian Daniel and Steve Richmond opened the batting and got Bridgend off to a flyer with 70 scored from the first 10 overs. Daniel went first for 42 despite looking in impressive form. Bridgend then suffered a mini collapse with none of the middle order troubling the scorers for long; the inconsistent bounce not helping matters.
Richmond was then joined by keeper Pete Barry, who playing predominantly off the back foot, helped add 125 for the 7th wicket. Bridgend finishing on 225-5 with Richmond and Barry both 62 not out.
Despite losing strike bowler Liam Weller to the seconds, Bridgend's attack was in great form, with Dan Boyle and Matthew Daniel upping their pace considerably over the winter. Daniel took 2-40 whilst Boyle finished with 1-26.
After their opening spells, Croesy looked in with a shout, but captain Jamie Morgan and paceman Kerry Brett kept things tight at both ends. As the required run rate climbed Croesy were forced to go for their shots allowing Morgan (2-20) and Brett (1-39) to take full advantage.
After waiting patiently for his chance, last season's 4th XI player of the year, Tim Bushell, scythed through the tail taking 4 wickets in 5 overs. Once Jonny Ling had taken a smart catch on the boundary to remove danger man Cahill (45) the game was up for Croesy, who were bowled out for 173.
Bridgend claimed maximum points leaving them top of the table after the opening weekend.