Match Reports
1st XI |Sat 26th July
Town's slump continues at Pentyrch
Bridgend 98-9
Pentyrch 99-2
The 2nd XI slumped to their third defeat on the bounce with an 8 wicket mauling at the hands of Pentyrch on Saturday.
On one of the nicest days for cricket so far this year, skipper Spencer Collier, back to lead his side after fitness problems, won the toss and elected to bat first on an excellent looking wicket.
For the third week running the Town batsmen looked fragile and the pace and bounce of Pentyrch opening bowler Richard Jones (4-12 off 10) proved difficult to handle and Town soon found themselves on 7-3 after 11 overs.
Skipper Collier (11) and Carl James (11) temporarily stopped the rout with a 5th wicket partnership of 22 but Pentyrch skipper Nick Evans took over from where Jones had left off and removed all of the Town middle order with a spell 4-13 off 10 overs.
With Town now facing an even lower score than last week's 84 against Miskin, spinner Rhys Clayton produced a graceful 21 not out, combining his innings well with lower order batsmen Dev Smith (10) and Lewis Smith (10) and Colin Kelly (10*).
Despite the tail wagging Bridgend could only muster 98-9 from their 50 overs. On a hard pitch and fast outfield, defending this would be difficult to say the least.
With confidence high and such a low total to chase, Pentych attacked from the off.
Despite a wicket apiece for Josh Thomas and Rhys Clayton, Pentyrch opener Mark Tanner (36*) and Ali Najmi (27*) led the home side to a comprehensive 8 wicket victory in the 18th over.
After this series of defeats, Bridgend now face two crunch games against fellow strugglers Usk and Penarth in the next two weeks and a win against both should be enough to keep them in the top flight at the end of the season.
Sat 28th June
Bunston bowls Bridgend to victory
Bridgend 153
Sully 137
Despite missing some key personnel, including skipper Spencer Collier, the 2nd XI got back to winning ways on Saturday by completing the second leg of a fantastic Town double, beating Sully 2nd's by 16 runs.
After being inserted on a damp Newbridge Fields wicket, Town knew that their batting would have to dig deep and an opening partnership of 57 between Alun Bunston and Ian Henry (both 29) provided the solid start they needed.
Up against a tight Sully opening attack, the pair found runs difficult to come by. Steve Hood (2-19 from 10) and Ian Bennett (1-25-10) giving the home batsmen virtually nothing to hit.
After taking several fours from Bennett, Henry was bowled trying to repeat the feat and was followed soon after by Rhys Clayton and Phil Cadogan.Bunston eventually fell in the 39th over leaving Bridgend on 96-4 and a below par total looked more than likely. But the Town middle order fired into life. A mixture of fine shots from Carl James (17) and Rhodri Hopes (17) combining with some world class sprinting between the wickets from Jonny Ling (15) and Devlin Smith (15) contributed a further 57 runs from the last 11 overs to leave Town with a defendable total of 153.
Knowing that they would more than likely have to bowl Sully out to avoid defeat, the Town bowlers backed up by some wonderful fielding ensured that the visitors faced an uphill struggle from the start.
Colin Kelly (0-24 from 10 overs) bowled superbly from the A48 end without any luck, whilst Rhodri Hopes made two early breakthroughs from the Town end to remove both the Sully openers.
After Tony Green had bowled his usual opening spell of 6 overs for 5 runs, Hopes was re-introduced into the attack, but disaster struck for Bridgend when the young fast bowler pulled up with a calf injury.
Luckily Bridgend had star fielders Andy Thalaysingham and James Townley standing by but with no-one to turn to but himself, skipper Bunston bowled what must be his finest spell for the club, taking 5-31 from 10 overs and decimating the visitors batting line-up. Sully skipper Hood batted well for 34, but was dismissed by a fine catch at full stretch by Rhys Clayton off Bunston.
Bennett (34) ensured that the home fans were treated to an exciting close finish but a final intervention from Clayton, who produced a top quality throw under pressure to run out Bennett allowed Town to claim an important and well deserved victory.
Sat 31st May
Town suffer first loss of the season
Bridgend 113
Newport 117-4
Although lying just one place below in the Premier Division 2nd XI league, Bridgend 2nd's expected their sternest test yet when entertaining Newport at Newbridge fields on Saturday.
Newport won the toss and decided to bowl. On a damp pitch proving helpful to the Newport bowlers the Bridgend openers Ian Keen and Alan Bunston showed patience to edge the run rate along at barely 2 an over.
The discipline and accuracy of the Newport attack was best demonstrated by Dennehy's figures of 10 overs for 6 maidens, 9 runs for 1 wicket and, most significantly in terms of what was to follow, no extras. Dennehy's maidens came when bowling to an 8 / 1 offside field and didn't let his captain down once in this consistent spell.
With Ian Keen caught behind trying to press on the tricky batting conditions were demonstrated when no.3 bat Pete "Iron Man" Stanton took one on the chin but didn't flinch until back in the changing room 27 runs later - the top Bridgend score of the day.
By this time Bunston had also gone for 12, again caught behind.
With the tight Newport bowling keeping the run rate to less than 2 an over and taking wickets at crucial times the new batsmen coming in were faced with the challenge of getting in and getting runs quickly - this pressure situation leading to a rash of injudicious shots that should have Captain Spencer Collier scheduling naughty nets for the middle order for the next several weeks.
Only Phil Cadogan put anything together, scoring 25 and being helped along by no. 9 bat Rhodri Hopes.
The Bridgend total of 113, on a pitch that had calmed as the overs ticked by was never enough, but in spite of this daunting task Bridgend set about the task with a spirited fielding performance and the early run rate was kept competitively low by the control of Colin Kelly (10-12-1) and Hopes (10-19-0), and the 3 wickets taken by Clayton (9-31-3) offered hope, but the extras column of 22 runs and an additional 3 overs was just too much to give away in such a tight game, with Newport getting the runs in the 43rd over.
That this should have been the 46th over and therefore a much closer game should give encouragement to Bridgend. This young team will learn from the disciplined approach of teams like Newport, and the return match will be a measure of any progress made this summer.
Sat 24th May
Bridgend too strong for Penarth
Penarth 136
Bridgend 137-0
As Bridgend 2nd XI travelled to Penarth on Saturday the early prospects of a win seemed poor with the bulk of the bowling attack needing the help of local residents to locate the ground and eventually arriving only 15minutes before stumps.
With Penarth winning the toss and choosing to bat the bowling line-up was soon put to the test in trying conditions.
A stiff wind blowing diagonally across the ground meant it was difficult to find the right line to threaten. Not withstanding these conditions opening bowler Colin Kelly just broke into double figures for his ten overs whilst taking two wickets.Rhodri Hopes at the other end was also economic going for only 12 off 5 before being replaced by Jamie Russell showing glimpses of real pace and venom for 24 off 5 for 1.
With solid bowling and Russell and Devlin Smith hoovering up the ball in the field to either side of the wicket, and combining for a run out, Penarth were limited to less than 2 an over off the first 20.
When Penarth looked to open up in the middle of their innings some adroit captaincy and bowling changes by Collier applied the brakes and re-asserted the pressure, this time Towell and Smith bowling in tandem with both moving the ball through the air and off the pitch, Smith unlucky to take only 2 wickets, but Towell full of threat taking the honours with 3, the potency of the bowling attack best demonstrated by keeper Huw Miles performance of 5 catches and a stumping.
The Penarth innings was clinically finished off by Rhys Clayton when introduced in the 43rd over.
Whilst all agreed that Penarth's 136 was a below par score on the firm pitch, in spite of the trying conditions, it was still not certain that Bridgend would find the runs easy to come by.
Openers Alun Bunston and Ian Keen taking the crease against the Penarth attack were quickly ahead of the rate.
In spite of speedy bowling changes, each of which was seen off almost without alarm, the runs were accumulated, with Bunston who has obviously wintered well, taking 2 "3"'s in a single over and looking for the quick single in a manner reminiscent of earlier years!
The total was soon brought up with no loss and both openers hitting fifty apiece.
Sat 17th May
Bridgend batting holds out for draw
Usk 211-3
Bridgend 125-6
Bridgend Town Seconds had to put up the shutters and settle for a draw in this game in the Thomas, Carroll South Wales League Premier Division Second XI.
The match was reduced to 40 overs and Bridgend asked Usk to bat first after winning the toss.
Colin Kelly bowled superbly without any luck and finished with 9-4-15-0.
But Usk batted well, particularly Jamie Osborne who finished with a superb 88 not out, receiving good support from Owen Watkins (38), Richard Rees (35 n/o) and Jake Roderick (31).
Bridgend were never seriously in with a chance of getting the runs as they were tied down by the Usk attack, particularly Watkins who did even better than Kelly with figures of 9-2-10-0.
Peter Stanton and Alun Bunston both got 28 and Jamie Russell 22 and, in the end, they comfortably held out for the draw.
Jamie Smith took 2-31 off nine overs for Usk and John Spencer 2-35 off eight.
Sat 3rd May
Town continue great start to season
Miskin Manor 110
Bridgend 111-4
Bridgend Town Seconds continued their great start to the season by completing an emphatic six wicket win over Miskin at the Manor.
Welcoming back skipper Spencer Collier, Town won the toss and asked Miskin to bat first on a green wicket. Their bowlers did everything asked of them by restricting the home side to 110 all out after 47 overs.
Once again Colin Kelly returned the pick of the figures with 3 for 9 after 10 overs despite ongoing knee problems. Youngsters Rhodri Hopes (3 for 15) and Devlin Smith (2 for 24) also contributing to the performance.
Town put themselves under pressure in the reply by losing openers Alun Bunston and Ian Keen quickly to leave them 16 for 2 after 8 overs.
However a 62 run partnership between Steven Hughes and Spencer Collier steered Town towards victory. Hughes (41) and Collier (35) showed their class and experience to take the score to 78, allowing Jamie Russell (17 n.o.) to bring Town home with 16 overs to spare.
This win lifts Town to 3rd in the top flight of 2nd XI cricket.
They face Pentyrch at home next Saturday.
Sat 26th April
Town thrash Sudbrook
Sudbrook 60
Bridgend 63-2
Bridgend got their new season in the Premier League off to the perfect start with an 8 wicket win at home to Sudbrook on Saturday.
Deputising for the absent Spencer Collier, Captain Huw Miles won the toss and inserted Sudbrook on what looked like a typical April pitch and Newbridge Fields. i.e. damp and green!
Colin Kelly and Jamie Russell were handed the new ball for Bridgend and veteran pace man Kelly proceeded to rip through the Sudbrook batting lineup, taking 4-7 from 10 overs.
Following two run outs, the introduction of last season's young player of the year Devlin Smith all but finished off Sudbrook's hopes of leaving Newbridge Fields with any points. Smith bowled a good length to dismiss the visitors for just 60, finishing with 4-17 from his 7 overs.
With Sudbrook dismissed in the 26th over, Bridgend had more than 70 overs to reach their target. Ian Keen (13) and Alun Bunston (14) progressed slowly but steadily and steered Bridgend toward victory before both fell in quick succession.
This left it to Steve Hughes (8*) and Peter Stanton (13*) to guide Bridgend home safely in the 23rd over.