Match Reports
Sat 15th August
Steptoe and the Young Ones Rescue the Town!
Bridgend 218
Rogerstone 164
After successfully seeing off Brecon last week, Bridgend knew a victory at Rogerstone would almost guarantee them a top two finish.
With miserable overcast conditions and a damp wicket, Rogerstone won the toss and elected to field.
After another quick fire start between Grant Humphries and Richard Morgan (18), for the first time this season the Town found themselves in difficulty as the Rogerstone bowlers started to use conditions and turn the screw.
At 67 for 5, Town could have been forgiven for thinking that their first defeat of the season was staring them in the eye. However, Bridgend are a much better side than that and James Steptoe and young Rhys Clayton set about rebuilding the innings.
A steady partnership of 47 seemed to get them back on track, but when Steppers fell for a very defiant 34, Rogerstone still had the upper hand.
Enter young Jamie Russell. Russell who is never one to lack a bit of confidence, made his intensions very clear right from the start, upping the intensity by stealing a number of quick singles.
This confidence rubbed off on Clayton at the other end and the pair not only repaired the early damage but got the Town back on top.
Aided by some wayward bowling which totalled 50 extras, Russell and Clayton brought up the 200 in the 45th over and what started as an exercise in getting a score to defend, turned into a match winning score and the possibility of maximum batting points.
The partnership finally ended at 99, which sees a new first eleven record for the seventh wicket, beating then skipper Anthony Griffiths and current skipper Stuart Morris’s 85 back in 2003. It was Clayton that fell for an extremely efficient 34. This knock clearly confirmed his undoubted ability, which has now seen him make valuable contributions in the 3rd, 2nd and 1st elevens this season.
Russell soon followed for an outstanding 68 which included 10 fours and 1 enormous six to complete a potentially match winning innings, and furthermore highlights the strength of talent that Bridgend have in place for the future years to come.
With a rush to gain maximum batting points wickets fell and the Town innings ended on 218 in the 48th over.
Town were clearly the happier of the two teams at tea and hoped that early wickets would cement their hold on the game.
At 29 for 2, Town were well on top despite some lapses in concentration in the field.
Steppers was once again at his metronomic best finishing with 2 for 24 off his 10. At the other end Adam Weaver (2-22) probed away and was unlucky not to get more than the one wicket during his opening spell which also saw three catches go to ground.
However three separate partnerships of 34, 48 and 33 always kept Rogerstone in the hunt, with M. Asif playing a starring role for the home side.
At 153 for 5 and 14 overs still to go the game was in the balance. However, some fine examples of spin bowling from Rhys Osborne and player coach Mike Jones pegged the Rogerstone batting line back.
Osborne extracted some prodigious turn and was at times unplayable, finishing with 2 for 22 from his 10 overs.
At the other end, Jones benefited from bowling in tandem with Osborne and removed dangerman Asif for a battling 69. Jones finished with 4 for 39, including some fine catches from Clayton and Weaver and a sharp stumping from Richard Morgan.
Rogerstone were finally all out for 164 and this meant that the Town eventually had a comfortable winning margin of 54 runs. With Chepstow losing at home to Newport Fugitives this win guarantees that Bridgend will now finish in the top two.
With two games left of the league season, the primary objective has been met, but a win at home to Radyr next Saturday would ensure that Bridgend also claim the Division One title.
That said Town may not even need to win their last two games to win the league, but with an unbeaten run to maintain and an anticipated bumper crowd at Newbridge Fields next week, Bridgend will be ensuring their A game is with them.
Great performance, especially in the circumstances and it was wonderful to see two of our youngsters doing the job for us with the bat. Although there are two games left for the unbeaten record, lets concentrate on next weekend first and bring the title back to Bridgend - Come on the Town!!
1st XI scribe
Sat 8th August
Town pile on the runs and put Brecon to the sword
Bridgend 312-6
Brecon 86
After rain cancelled the top of the table clash last week, it was clear skies and bright sunshine that shone over Newbridge Fields for the visit of Brecon.
With a dry week, the Bridgend wicket looked firm and it was rather surprising when visiting skipper Andy MacDonald won the toss and asked the Town to bat first.
With Chris Bushell sunning himself in Greece, star stumper Richard Morgan (17) was promoted to open the batting with Grant Humphries (16) and the duo didn’t hang around as they compiled a quick fire 32 for the first wicket.
However, Sam Williams (2-64) removed the pair in quick succession to leave the Town on 41 for 2, and Alistair Dalton and Mike Jones needing to repair the innings.
This they did with great skill, style and clinical professionalism.
Both were equally as brutal on the Brecon attack with a wonderful partnership of 126 in just 19 overs. It was something of a surprise when Dalton was out for 68, but the Town were well placed at 167 for 3 with still 21 overs left in the innings.
Jones forged on and was joined by Huw Kinsella and a second century partnership (114) ensued.
Jones struck the ball with tremendous venom and brought up his first hundred for the club, much to the delight of a bumper Newbridge Fields crowd.
Not to be out done Kinsella also reached a milestone compiling his first half century for the club in the same partnership.
Jones was finally out for an excellent 124 and Kinsella (58) fell to the last ball of the innings as the Town closed on 312 for 6.
The Brecon team were clearly demoralised and new ball bowlers Adam Weaver and James Steptoe couldn’t wait to get into the visiting batsmen.
Weaver was at his brilliant unplayable best returning figures of 10 overs 2 for 11, while at the other end Steptoe was equally as miserly taking 2-26 off his 10 overs.
Dominic Mabbs replaced Weaver and continued the pressure with 5 overs, 1 wicket for 8 runs, while young Jamie Russell replaced Steppers and ran in with real purpose to extract pace out of a docile Town wicket.
Russell finished with 3 for 26 off 9, including a fine catch at short extra cover by Dalton, and the tail was mopped up by Huw Kinsella who took 2-13.
This was the most comprehensive victory that the Town have had this season, bowling out Brecon for 86 and achieving a massive 226 run winning margin.
Only visiting skipper Andy MacDonald showed any resistance with 31.
With Chepstow losing at Panteg there is some breathing space between Bridgend and the rest of the league. A positive result next week could mean that the last game at home for Bridgend 1st XI on the 22nd August could be the day they have an opportunity to clinch the league title.
That said the boys are not taking anything for granted and they know that they still have to perform against an improving Rogerstone next week before thinking about Radyr.
A wonderful all round performance - two wins from the next three games secures the league - Come on the Town!!
1st XI scribe
Sat 25th July
Town secure 20 point double over Manor
Miskin Manor 175
Bridgend 177-6
Bridgend welcomed Miskin Manor to Newbridge Fields for the first time since 2006 and had high hopes of securing a double over the former premiership outfit.
With half an eye on the village cup, Miskin were without some of their key performers for this Division One clash. That said Town were not without some of their big guns, with both Adam Weaver and Ali Dalton unavailable, while skipper Stuart Morris and James Steptoe played despite carrying injuries.
Morris won the toss and after much deliberation elected to bowl. With Weaver missing, Dominic Mabbs (3-29) took the new ball from the A48 end and was quickly into the act, removing dangerman Garan Treharne for 14, Dickie Morgan taking the first of three fine catches behind the stumps.
With a nasty neck injury, Steptoe (1-54) struggled to find his line but battled on to complete a valiant spell for the home side.
Jamie Russell (1-24) replaced Mabbs at the A48 and bagged visiting skipper Huw Jones for the second time this season on his way to completing a fine 10 over spell.
Mike Jones (1-41) replaced Steppers at the Town end, and got tremendous turn out of the Newbridge Fields wicket. That said, at 88 for 5, Manor dug in and made the Town work extremely hard for their wickets. Joel Gehler (30) and Daniel Hay (35) were the chief thorns in the Bridgend side.
But for the second successive week Huw Kinsella came in to the Bridgend attack and caused havoc for the Miskin batsmen finishing with a very fine 4-21. Kinsella was ably supported by some good ground fielding by the Town, which has been a feature this season, Jones, Mabbs and Grant Humphries all holding fine catches.
The Miskin innings closed in the 47th over on 175, but with a slow Bridgend wicket the total would still need some fine application from the Bridgend top order.
Chris Bushell (10) and Humphries have provided a fine platform on many occasions this season for the Town, and once again they got Bridgend off to a flier with an opening partnership of 41.
However, when Bushell fell and Mike Jones followed soon after, Town needed a rebuilding partnership and Humphries and Kinsella took the score to 74 before Humphries miscued one to gully for an excellent 49.
Kinsella and StJohn Towell added 30 for the 4th wicket and Morris and Kinsella added another 25 for the 5th wicket. However, when Kinsella fell for 33 and Richard Morgan for 5, at 137-6 Bridgend’s target of 176 seemed a long way off.
Young Rhys Clayton (7 not out) making his debut for the first XI joined the skipper and the pair batted sensibly to form a match winning unbeaten partnership of 40 with Clayton hitting the winning runs in the 43rd over. Morris finished on 42 not out much to the delight of the home crowd.
Town now stay unbeaten at the top of Division One and look forward to the trip east next week to meet 2nd placed Chepstow who have also been in fantastic form of late.
This was a super hard fought win, and we now have a huge game next Saturday. However with five games to go the Town can take nothing for granted and must have their “A game” with them next week in order to succeed against high flying Chepstow.
Another great performance, but there are still huge games left for us, starting next Saturday - Come on the Town!!
1st XI scribe
Sat 18th July
Town have Fugitives on the run
Newport Fugitives 99
Bridgend 103-0
After a mid season break due to rain, the Bridgend 1st XI were relieved to see clear skies for the trip east to play Newport Fugitives.
Town were keen to keep their unbeaten run going against a Fugitives side that has suffered some poor form in recent weeks, which has seen them slip to bottom of the Division One table.
However, it has been quite a while since the Town have come away from the Fugies ground with a win, so nothing was taken for granted.
With the Newport club producing an extremely green and wet wicket the Town had no hesitation in electing to bowl after successfully wining the toss.
The Newport opening pair of Richard Jones and Dave Adams got off to a flier as Weaver and Steptoe had little luck and found it difficult to get their length, on a wicket which was not as responsive as it may have appeared to be.
That said Steptoe then got the vital breakthroughs when he removed Adams and then Jones in successive overs to reduce the Fugitives from 27 for 0 to 28 for 2.
Steptoe then got a third to complete a fine opening spell 7 overs, 3 wickets for just 15 runs.
Young Jamie Russell (1-21) took over from Steppers and soon got in on the act with the help of a smart catch from Richard Morgan.
At the other end, Mabbs replaced the luckless Weaver and bowled a very economical spell of 10 overs, 1 wicket, for just 21 runs, getting the bowl to consistently cut back off the seam, causing trouble for all of the Fugies batsmen.
However, despite the scoreboard almost grinding to a halt, the Fugies middle order showed some defiance in keeping the Town quartet at bay.
The introduction of the recently returned Huw Kinsella was clearly a telling point for the Town. Kinsella swung the ball prodigiously and was aided by some fine slip catching from player-coach Mike Jones and an equally smart catch from Grant Humphries in the gully.
Kinsella wrapped up the tail to finish with 4-18 and left the Fugies reeling at 99 all out in just 36 overs.
Although the Town expected the Newport wicket to play up, Humphries and Bushell made light work of the Fugies attack and chased down the total with very few scares.
Humphries was at his belligerent best finishing on 69 not out while Bushell played an excellent supporting role finishing on 23 not out to secure a dominant 20 point win.
With six games to go, the Town have a wonderful chance of promotion with all of the trump cards in their hands.
However, stiffer challenges are just around the corner with Miskin visiting Newbridge Fields next Saturday.
This is an excellent result lads, it was great to put a performance like that in after a couple of difficult weeks - Come on the Town!!
1st XI scribe
Sat 27th June
James steps up to take Town home
Malpas 196-9
Bridgend 197-6
Bridgend welcomed newly promoted Malpas to Newbridge Fields for the last game before the mid season turnaround. With Malpas having a good start to the season the Town were expecting a stern test and this is exactly what they got.
Although the weather was set fair, Bridgend won the toss and elected to field as their bowling unit has been firing on all cylinders this season. Once again it wasn’t long before strike bowler Adam Weaver was in amongst the wickets, when he removed key batsman, and visiting captain, Marc Collins for 12, StJohn Towell taking a fine catch at point.
Weaver’s bowling partner James Steptoe (1-27) then got another to put Malpas at 33-2 off their first 10 overs.
Steptoe and Weaver have developed an excellent opening partnership for the Town with the ball this season, and are the envy of all of Bridgend’s opponents.
However, despite early losses, Malpas weren’t third in the league by accident and a third wicket partnership of 88 turned the game very much in their favour. Gary Poyner (52) and Mickey Martin (33) punished anything slightly off length and it was only when Dominic Mabbs came into the attack that things started to happen for the Town.
Mabbs bowled and exquisite spell of 10 overs taking 4-30 and more importantly removing both Martin and Poyner. Thanks to this fine spell of bowling, good catching from Richard Morgan and Jamie Russell, and some suicidal running between the wickets, Malpas went from 121 for 2 to 136 for 8.
Town were clearly on top and looking to finish Malpas off quickly although the experienced P. Mason (17) and S. Griffiths (29 not out) frustrated the home attack.
Weaver returned to remove Mason, with Morris taking the catch at first slip, but that was the final joy for Bridgend as the Malpas innings closed on 196 for 9. This was only the second time this season that the Town have failed to take maximum bowling points.
The Town reply was solid with Bushell and Humphries continuing their good form. When Bushell went for 11 and StJohn Towell soon after, Jones joined Humphries and the fireworks began.
Both were brutal with anything even slightly off line, and the pair formed a wonderful partnership of 95. Bridgend could have been forgiven for thinking that the two would take them home, but Humphries miss judged one and got bowled for a very fine 56. However with Jones in imperious form, the Town were comfortably placed at 142 for 3.
It was something of a surprise when Poyner deceived Jones for an excellent 71, including 14 boundaries which delighted a bumper Newbridge Fields crowd.
With still 40 to get the Town lost a couple of quick wickets which undoubtedly gave Malpas an unexpected sniff of victory.
But as they say “cometh the hour”, James Steptoe enter the fray and blitz the Town home with a wonderful unbeaten 28, ably supported by Jamie Russell, to ensure that home side won by 4 wickets with 6 overs to spare.
Another great win, and although Malpas gave us a good test, we passed with flying colours and have finished the first half of the season top of the league and unbeaten, we couldn’t have asked for more than that!!
That said there is still plenty of room for improvement, lets keep going with another big performance next week - Come on the Town!!
1st XI scribe
Sat 20th June
Weaver and Humphries find their radar at Radyr
Radyr 168-9
Bridgend 172-3
Bridgend made the short trip east to Radyr with high hopes of maintaining their unbeaten start to the season.
After crushing Rogerstone last time out, the Town named an unchanged side for the first time this season. However, star all rounder Alistair Dalton had to withdraw in the week due to work commitments, and this left the door open for fiery seamer Dominic Mabbs to come back into the side.
With the Radyr wicket looking a true surface, the home side had no hesitation in electing to bat after skipper Morris once again called incorrectly.
That said with the Town chasing down opposition scores with relative ease so far this season, they weren’t too concerned at having first go with the ball.
It wasn’t long before leading wicket taker Adam Weaver was back in the wickets when he snared Dave Skirrow with the assistance from a smart catch by Grant Humphries in the gulley.
A change at the railway end brought another wicket for the Town when hard hitting Howard Stone mistimed a pull stroke off Jamie Russell (3-44), with Dominic Mabbs making the short run around from mid off to mid on to take the catch.
Radyr started to recover through John Davies (42) and Jonathan Wilson, but 64 for 2 became 64-4, when Wilson holed out to Mike Jones at mid off and Russell then produced a devilish slower ball to pick up his second and third wickets in consecutive balls.
Mabbs (1-24) then replaced Russell at the station end and soon removed Davies to complete a fine spell of bowling.
At 97 for 5 the Town were clearly on top and Radyr’s bad luck continued when Geriant Davies (17 retired hurt) attempted a high risk paddle shot off Mabbs, but only succeeded in deflecting the ball into his face. With his cheek going up like a balloon the only option for him was to spend the next three hours in A&E at UHW.
Fortune was further on the Town’s side when they had the best of a tight decision to remove M. Arif (39), stumped by Dickie Morgan off the bowling of Darren Lingley (1-34).
From 145 for 6, the home side’s batting stuttered to a close as they just couldn’t handle the pace of Weaver and James Steptoe (1-23). Once again Weaver was the pick of the Town attack finishing with 3-19.
Although 166 was clearly a below par score, Bridgend would still need to bat really well to chase down the total.
This they did with aplomb, with prolific batsmen Grant Humphries leading the way.
Although the Town had an early fright when Bushell was removed for 11, Humphries was joined by a promoted Steptoe (24) and the pair added 81 for the second wicket.
Humphries was in imperious form and it was something of a shock when he was finally out for a fine 74.
With 41 required for victory, player coach Mike Jones (29 not out) was joined by skipper Morris (12 not out) and the pair made light work of the remaining runs required. Jones was once again in belligerent form while the skipper picked up yet another red inker.
This was another fine performance from the Town, and they now hope they can finish the first half of the season unbeaten when high flying Malpas visit Newbridge Fields next weekend.
Once again this was a thoroughly professional performance and the Town will need to continue to produce their A-game next week to keep this run going.
Great stuff lads - Come on the Town!!
1st XI scribe
Sat 13th June
Roger, over and out as Town stay unbeaten!
Rogerstone 134
Bridgend 135-1
Despite the prospect of a hot sunny afternoon, Bridgend won the toss and elected to field which may have surprised the Newbridge Fields visitors.
However, the Bridgend attack has been outstanding all season and it wasn’t long before the new ball partnership of Adam Weaver and James Steptoe made in-roads into the Rogerstone batting card.
First Weaver removed dangerman Andrew Harris, with just the fourth ball of the innings, and this was quickly followed by Steptoe seeing off skipper Gary Williams to give stumper Richard Morgan his second catch of the game. A second wicket for Steppers left Rogerstone reeling at 37 for 3.
Steptoe’s miserly spell of 8 overs, 2 wickets, for just 10 runs, clearly set the tone for the rest of the Town’s bowlers.
A change at the A48 end saw Jamie Russell into the attack and he made it 49 for 4 when he deceived Trinder for 18 and that soon became 54 for 5 when Lingley removed Nel for 0.
Not for the first time this season, having broken the top half of the opposition’s batting line up, the Town then saw a rearguard which was well led by M. Asif. Asif was particularly strong on the legside, using the sweep shot to great effect in compiling a partnership of 47 with John Berry.
The introduction of man of the match Ali Dalton, changed the Town’s fortunes when he managed to lull Asif into holing out to Humphries for a fine 39.
At the other end Mike Jones (2-19), gave nothing away and picked up a couple of wickets removing Berry, and then getting Suller to hit one to StJohn Towell, who took an excellent diving catch at deep midwicket.
The remainder of the Rogerstone card was dealt with by paceman Weaver who returned impressive figures of 3 for 34.
Rogerstone’s innings closed on 134 with extras being the second top score.
With 58 overs in which to chase down the total, the Town could afford to build solid partnerships and take their time.
However Grant Humphries seemed to be in a bit of a hurry smashing anything slightly off line to the boundary.
With the score on 37 Humphries nibbled at one down the legside and was surprisingly out for a quick fire 28.
Dalton joined Bushell and the pair settled any nerves the home side may have had with an exquisite undefeated partnership 98.
Chris Bushell finished with 44 not out and Ali Dalton completed his second half century of the season to finish on 56 not out.
Both players were particularly brutal on some generous bowling, Dalton hitting 11 boundaries and Bushell 9 with the game done and dusted in just 28 overs.
This win strengthens the Town’s lead at the top of the table but there is no room for compliancy at this stage of the season, and the Town know that they will need to maintain the high standards for next week’s trip to Radyr.
Another “20 pointer”, lets keep going now - Come on the Town!!
1st XI scribe
Sat 30th May
Bridgend take the spoils in top of the table clash!
Chepstow 196
Bridgend 197-5
A sun drenched Newbridge Fields hosted top of the table clash between Bridgend and Chepstow with both sides putting their unbeaten records on the line.
Chepstow won the toss, elected to bat and got off to a steady start with Guest and Watson latching on to anything even slightly off line.
However when sensible Les Cutter, standing in for Dickie Morgan, decided to step up to the stumps, James Steptoe got one to nip away from Guest and Cutter did the rest to get the breakthrough the home side desperately needed.
Ex-Newport star Carwyn James (21) joined Watson and the two took the score past 50 before Ali Dalton (2-47) got one to straighten and send Watson back to the pavilion.
At the drinks interval, Chepstow were well placed, however three quick wickets saw Bridgend get on top as their score moved from 81 for 2 to 89 for 5.
This was mainly due to some excellent swing bowling from Jamie Russell (1-24), who also initiated a fantastic run out of James at the non strikers end. Darren Lingley (1-23) took their other wicket as the Town piled on the pressure.
However, Chepstow were not top of the league by luck and a dogged 6th wicket partnership of 81 between Alex Winter (57) and Tom Pass (26) frustrated the home attack.
Eventually it was Ali Dalton who got the breakthrough, quickly followed by Adam Weaver (2-32) removing the dangerous Winter.
The last three wickets were shared between Weaver, and the pick of the Town’s bowling, James Steptoe who finished with 3 for 34.
Chepstow were eventually bowled out for 196 in the 50th over, with Town being particularly pleased to gain maximum bowling points on a relatively placid track.
That said this was still going to be a challenging total to chase down and partnerships would be crucial.
At 34 for 2 the game was definitely in the balance when player coach Mike Jones joined Alistair Dalton.
Although these two settled some nerves with a fine partnership of 54, when Jones fell for 30, Chepstow may have felt that the game was going to go their way.
However, the Town batting line up has a gained a deep resilience in recent times, and when skipper Stuart Morris joined Dalton the pair worked away at breaking down the required total.
Having stunted the visitor’s enthusiasm, the two then let loose with Dalton compiling a fine half century.
Although the pair deserved to take the Town home, with just 14 required Dalton miscued a drive to mid off and was out for an excellent 72.
As a result it was left to the skipper and young Jamie Russell to see the Town home with 12 balls to spare. Morris finishing on 49 not out.
This was a fantastic maximum point win for the Town, sending them to the top of the league. If they can maintain this form in the coming weeks, nobody will look forward to facing to Newbridge Fields outfit for the rest of the season.
Sat 23rd May
Bridgend attack "lord it" at the Manor
Miskin Manor 117
Bridgend 118-3
After rain ruined the league programme last weekend, Bridgend were happy to see clear skies for their visit to Miskin Manor. This was billed to be a titanic battle with both sides boasting undefeated records this season.
Early on Bridgend may have felt this was not to be their day. Star batsman Grant Humphries pulled out on the morning of the match with injury, player coach Mike Jones, was then spiked in the warm-up by the exuberant Adam Weaver, and skipper Stuart Morris lost the toss on what seemed a like “bat first” pitch.
When Town took the field, the Miskin batsmen showed their intent launching into anything even slightly off line.
However it was not long before Adam Weaver and Dominic “C-Max” Mabbs (3-31) got their own back, with Mabbs putting the breaks on to get the dangerous Garan Treharne (16) to slice one to keeper Morgan, and Weaver firing out the promising youngster Edwards. Mabbs then added more misery to the Manor batsmen, finding another gear to remove Keryn Treharne with a beauty that nipped back to send his off stump into another galaxy.
32 for 3 soon became 50 for 6, with Mabbs motoring in like a puma. Mabbs added another thanks to a fine catch from Lingley, and young Jamie Russell (2-19), bowling the home skipper Huw Jones with an in-swinging yorker, and D. Hypart nicking one to slip, with late call up, uncle sensible Les Cutter taking the catch. Russell was practically unplayable, swinging the ball prestigiously, and bowling his first four overs for just one run.
A partnership of 43 then started to get Manor back on track with Aled Jones (35) particularly brutal. At the other end, Soames was also in six hitting mood although his six came via Mabbs escorting the ball from the boundary straight into the tree at third man!
After the drinks break, Towell replaced Jones at the river end, and he removed Soames in his first over, while Weaver returned at the village end to wrap up the tail. Weaver finished with a thoroughly deserved 4-37, and sent Miskin reeling to 117 all out.
Although it was Weaver and Mabbs, who showed great focus to take the main spoils, this was an excellent all round performance from the Town’s seamers.
With still an hour before the scheduled tea break, Town started their reply solidly with in form Chris Bushell (14) and star stumper Richard Morgan seeing off the new ball with little trouble.
In fact it was something of a surprise when Bushell was bowled by Huw Jones just minutes before the tea break, although he denies the waft of sausage rolls and fresh cream cakes had nothing to do with his dismissal.
That said, at 30-1 and still 55 overs left for the Town to get their target of 118, they were clearly the happier of the two sides as Morgan walked off towards the pavilion, professionally leaving his gloves and helmet in the middle to dry while he had a cuppa.
Steven Hughes joined Morgan after tea and runs were hard to come by against the controlled bowling of Aled Jones (10 overs for 11 runs) and skipper Huw Jones (10 for 18 runs).
Not for the first time in his career, Dickie Morgan was involved in mix up while running between the wickets and Hughes was sent packing for 4.
Mike Jones then joined Morgan and the pair upped the tempo adding 45 for the third wicket, with Jones crashing 5 enormous sixes.
Morgan was finally out stumped for a patient and sensible 33, and it was left to Jones (51 not out) and Morris to see the Town home with an undefeated partnership of 31, Jones scoring the winning runs with a boundary that also brought up his half century.
This was a huge win for the Town and sets up an enthralling game next weekend against early league leaders Chepstow.
Sat 9th May
Humphries returns to form with a bang!
Bridgend 272-5
Panteg 230-8
After a successful start to the season, Bridgend travelled east to play Panteg who were also relegated from the premier league last season. Despite a setback at Malpas last week, the home side are also looking for a quick return to top flight cricket.
With sun shining and a firm surface, skipper Stuart Morris had no hesitation in electing to bat after calling correctly.
Once again Grant Humphries and Chris Bushell (26) set the tone for the Bridgend innings, seeing off the Panteg seamers which included ex-Middlesex and Derbyshire paceman Ali Bukhari, with a fine partnership of 90.
After a patient knock, Bushell succumbed to the youthful Chris White and Bridgend’s player coach Mike Jones joined Humphries at the crease. The two dominated the home attack with a wonderful partnership of 101 in 18 overs and ensured that a great platform was set from which the Town’s middle order could launch.
With Jones looking set for another big score, he surprisingly mistimed one to mid wicket and was caught for a fine 47. A couple of quick wickets followed and Panteg may have felt as though the tide was turning.
However when Ali Dalton joined Humphries the Bridgend innings picked up momentum, securing maximum batting points and taking the score along to 243.
Much to the relief of the home attack Humphries was finally dismissed for an exquisite 135, which star stumper, Richard Morgan described, with a tear in his eye, as the “biggest innings of his life.”
Morris joined Dalton and the fun began as Dalton was ruthless on the Panteg bowling, smashing the ball to all parts with an array of shots including an exuberant switch hit for four. 33 came off the last 15 balls with Dalton making a quick fire 36 off just 21 balls, and Bridgend were clearly the happier of the two teams at the break, finishing on 272 for 5. Bukhari was the pick of the home bowling finishing with 2 for 39 from his 10 overs.
After tea Panteg set about chasing down the mammoth score with some caution but no little skill. Home skipper Ian Bird (70) and stalwart Barney Worrad (42) had an excellent partnership of 102 for the first wicket and undoubtedly had the visitors on the rack.
That said, Dalton was bowling with great accuracy from the pavilion end and finally got his reward when he removed Worrad to a fine catch from Darren Lingley at mid wicket.
Bird followed shortly after when Lingley (1-59) got him to miscue a cut shot to Bushell at point.
Thereafter, the Panteg middle order huffed and puffed and showed some resilience, but ultimately the Bridgend score was just too much for them. The innings closed on 230 for 8, with Adam Weaver taking 1-33, Mike Jones 2 for 62, and Ali Dalton the pick of the Town bowlers finishing with a top notch 3 for 31 off his 10 overs.
So with two wins out of two, the Town move nicely to the top of Division One.
However the next three weekends will be crucial as Bridgend play all of the current top four, starting with Newport Fugitives at Newbridge Fields next Saturday.
Another great win and Humps in the runs - Come on the Town!!
1st XI scribe
Sat 2nd May
Town sneak home in season opener
Bridgend 225-8
Pontypridd 208
A new cricket season always brings new enthusiasm and optimism at Bridgend Town Cricket Club and the 2009 season is no different. In fact, if anything there is an increased enthusiasm and expectation this year with the arrival of winter signing Michael Jones from premier league club Usk.
After the disappointment of relegation last season, Bridgend are looking for a quick return to top flight cricket, and undoubtedly a good start to the season is vital.
Despite a bright and sunny day, heavy showers on Thursday and Friday meant the Newbridge Fields wicket was always going to prove difficult to bat on and when Pontypridd won the toss they had no hesitation in electing to field.
Grant Humphries (15) and Chris Bushell ensured there were no early scares for the home side compiling a solid opening partnership of 33. This momentum continued, when another winter signing Will Spreadbury (16), joined Bushell and took the score along to 66.
With the fall of the second wicket, Jones joined Bushell and the pair produced an excellent partnership of 91 in just 14 overs. Bushell was finally out for a well compiled 55, and the platform was set for the Town to launch.
Despite a couple of stutters, Jones and skipper Stuart Morris (17 not out) managed to up the tempo with a partnership of 48 in just 5 overs, with Jones taking a starring role and ensuring maximum batting points were secured.
With a hundred clearly in his sights, Jones unselfishly went looking to send Rob Hallet (3-64) to the boundary for another six, and was bowled for a wonderful 90.
The Town innings closed on 225 for 8, with Pontypridd skipper Ryan Williams the pick of the bowlers for the visitors finishing with 3 for 36.
Town were clearly the happier of the two teams at tea, although the home side were very aware of the visitors’ capabilities when chasing.
The home side got off to a dream start with Weaver (3-39) and new signing James Steptoe (2-32) removing the openers and reducing Pontypridd to 6 for 2.
Visiting skipper Ryan Williams was joined by D. Larrett and set about rebuilding the Pontypridd innings. The pair duly responded and formed a partnership of 118 in 35 overs, frustrating the home attack.
Larrett was particularly brutal on the Bridgend bowlers and the favour clearly turned towards the visitors.
It was Darren Lingley (1-61) who managed to get the breakthrough removing Williams for a patient 57.
Despite the departure of the skipper, Larrett continued to deal in sixes, hitting no less than six maximums. With Larrett looking to win the game for Ponty, it required an excellent piece of fielding from Ali Dalton to finally run him out for a hard hitting 94.
Although the key run getters were out, Pontypridd were still very much in the hunt and with 30 required from the last 5 overs and 5 wickets in hand the game was still in the balance.
However, excellent bowling at the death from Weaver, Steptoe and Mike Jones (2-44) saw the home side take maximum points, bowling out Pontypridd for 208 in the 48th over.
Despite being a tense finish, hard work with player coach Jones in the previous weeks is already paying dividends for the home side. The Town fielding has seen vast improvement, with Lingley taking two good catches and two sharp run outs from Dalton and Morris. Setting these high standards clearly mean the Town will be a force to be reckoned with this season.