Match Reports
Sat 3rd May
Town take the spoils in local derby
Tondu 122
Bridgend 123-6
Despite various forecasts of heavy rain and persistent showers in the week prior to Saturday, it was a bright sunny day that saw the first home game of the season for the Town’s 1st XI in the premier league.
After a disappointing start last week at Sudbrook, Bridgend welcomed local rivals Tondu C.C. to Newbridge Fields.
Tondu, who have established themselves as a premier league club over the past couple of seasons and started this time out with an excellent win over Pentyrch, were favourites before the game despite losing some key personnel over the winter.
As early season pitches tend to do a bit more than normal, the toss was vital and Bridgend were extremely relieved that Tondu called incorrectly and the Town chose to field first.
An excellent opening spell from Adam Weaver (2 for 10) and Dominic Mabbs (1 for 37) soon had Bridgend on top despite some determined batting from Ed Hopkins (30) and Jamie Williamson (31).
At the half way stage, the innings was in the balance with Tondu well placed at 72 for 2 and Bridgend desperate for a couple of wickets.
After the drinks break, the game was turned on its head when Ali Dalton (1 for 29) removed key Tondu batsman and skipper, Richard Ready.
Dalton was making full use of the conditions and got Ready to nick one behind leaving Richard Morgan to do the rest.
This was just one of a number of fine catches held by the home side, which included a stunning effort and early contender for the Kluber Cup, by St John Towell just inches from the boundary edge, to remove dangerman Jon Bussey off the bowling of Darren Lingley (2 for 12). Lingley, now the pride of Porthcawl, in partnership with Glamorgan star Mike O’Shea (3 for 16) ripped the heart out of the Tondu middle order.
O’Shea showed his true class with the ball, varying his flight and pace beautifully and it is clear that he will be a vital cog in the bowling department for Bridgend this season.
Sensible Les Cutter (1 for 13) completed the bowling line up, to leave Tondu reeling at 122 and the home side the happier of the two teams at the tea interval.
However, this total proved to be an extremely competitive one, thanks to another fine opening spell from Brian Thomas (3 for 23) and Alex Jones (1 for 19). This left Bridgend delicately placed at 42 for 4, but importantly Mike O’Shea was still at the crease.
Once again O’Shea stepped up to the mark compiling a fine 47 in difficult conditions. But when he was finally removed by Bussey (1 for 9), nerves started to jangle amongst the home support.
However they didn’t need to worry too much as skipper Stuart Morris (28 not out) and star stumper Dickie Morgan (24 not out) saw the home side to victory with an unbroken partnership of 44 leaving the Town victors by 4 wickets.
This was an excellent comeback by the Town and they have now set themselves up for a real crack at premiership cricket for the remainder of the season.
Well done boys, great result – it’s good to be back!
First XI scribe.
Sat 26th April
Bridgend get off to a disappointing start
Bridgend 106
Sudbrook 107-2
The 1st XI got off to a nightmare start away to Sudbrook in their opening South Wales Cricket Premier League match.
Asked to bat first, Bridgend suffered two early setbacks with openers Grant Humphries and Alistair Dalton both falling in the first 8 overs.
Bridgend rallied though, through Glamorgan star Mike O'Shea (49) and Max Brown (15) who added 60 for the 3rd wicket. At 82-2 after just 20 overs, Bridgend were well placed.
However Brown and O'Shea fell in quick succession, exposing the middle order. Bridgend then suffered a mighty collapse losing the next six wickets for just 24 runs to finish on 106 all out.
O'Shea who was making his debut for club, outshone all other batsmen, who fell victim to poor shot selection and some disciplined bowling, with brothers Greg (4-9) and Mike Shaw (4-19) doing all the damage for Sudbrook
Adam Weaver bowled a lovely opening spell but Bridgend's total never challenged Sudbrook. Captain Chris Archer 68*, guided the home team to a comfortable victory in the 25th over for the loss of just two wickets. One to Dalton who was aided by a smart catch from O'Shea and a first Premier League wicket for Darren Lingley.
A disappointing start to the season and certainly a wakeup call for the newly promoted 1st XI.
In what is usually a competitive affair, Tondu come to Newbridge Fields on Saturday, for a game in which neither team will want to lose.