Match Reports
1st XI |Sat 8th August
Sully continue the pressure on Town
Bridgend 190-7
Sully 191-2
Bridgend Town seconds now face an uphill task to avoid relegation from the premiership, after yet another defeat.
Town’s last win was way back in May against St Fagans, and their fortunes did not improve away at Sully Centurions.
The Newbridge Fields outfit batted first, and as with the majority of their season to date, scoring over 200 proved to be difficult, as they laboured to 190-7 from 50 overs.
Once again Rhys Clayton showed his class and natural ability, as he recorded yet another 50+ plus, his second against Sully this season.
Clayton was showing matuirty beyond his years as he registered 51 not out. It was a watchful and paitent innings, but effective none the less.
Fellow opener, and club stalwart, Pete Stanton, once again got a start but failed to build upon it. He was dismissed four short of what would have been a well deserved half century.
All rounder Les Cutter was the only other batsmen to offer any form of resistance and score. The former first team all rounder, turned family man, scored a typically elegant and timely 47. Despite the best efforts of Clayton, Cutter and Stanton, Town only reached 190-7.
The visitors total never looked like being defendable against the inform hosts, and this proved to be the case.
Sully strolled to victory with nine overs to spare. The mainstay of the innings was Matthew Thomas who scored a majestic century. He was undefeated at the end of the innings having score 106.
And, as with Towns innings, only 3 batsmen offered contributions, only because three were enough to push the hosts home.
Other useful contributions came from Roger Clitheroe (37) and Ben Horlock (38*) And no Town bowler was able to take wicket. Both of the hosts victims fell to good pieces of fielding as Stanton and Town’s very own Mr Cricket, Rhodri Hopes got run outs.
When Sully reached the total, the undertakers took measurements as it was another nail firmly in the coffin.
Sat 18th July
Town suffer nightmare in Tondu derby
Tondu 155-6
Bridgend 73-7
Towns poor form continued as they drew at home to bitter rivals Tondu. And the day started well for the hosts with skipper Phil Cadogan winning the toss and inserting the opposistion, in a game reduced to 39 overs per side.
In general, the Bridgend bowlers bowled well, particularly the young and old combination of Colin Kelly and Rhodri Hopes. They both bowled mean spells, which ensured the Bryn Road outfit were struggling to score.
Hopes’ first 4 overs were maidens, and he eventually went for 24 from his 8, while Kelly ended up with 1-19 from 8.
Veteran Tondu opener Clive Holmes was batting resiliently and ensuring he was not going to be out. And eventually it took a smart run out by Steve Hughes to remove him for 45. Former Town youth player Brett Wadlan came to the crease and was looking dangerous. He was eventually bowled for 27 by club chairman Alun Bunston. Bunston was bowling with great control and ensured that the visitors were finding runs hard to come by. Bunny ended up with 1-28 from 9.
Leading wicket taker Josh Thomas was punished when he bowled anything short and failed to make the impact he made throughout the season (1-52 from 8).
Perhaps the main surprise of the innings was when Cadogan brought himself onto bowl. The part time bowler was aiming to plug up one end, as Town tried to contain the visitors. And in a bizarre turn of fortune, he was according to the statistics the best bowler. He removed danger man Ryan Owen for 40, aided by a smart catch from Bunston and Wright for 9, thanks to glove man Huw Miles. Cadogan ended up with 2-9 from 3 overs as the visitors concluded their innings on 155-6.
Towns response never really got going. Despite not loosing early wickets, the runs never came. Openers Pete Stanton and Rhys Clayton could only manage 14 for the opening wicket in 8 overs. Stanton was out off the bowling of Stone for 7 and was soon followed by Clayton (13) who was to Nick Miles.
All of the Tondu bowlers were tight and accurate, the worst of the economy rates was less than 2 (from the bowlers who bowled more than 3 overs).
Ryan Owen was the pick of the bowlers 4-9 from 8 while Miles ended up with 2-8 from 8.
Town never looked like winning this one, and ended up on 73-7 with extras being the top scorer with 16. Former captain Spencer Collier was the best batsmen and ended up unbeaten on 14.
Sat 27th June
Blackwood continue Town struggle
Bridgend 190-8
Blackwood 194-6
Towns poor recent form continued with a crushing defeat away at Blackwood.
Having been asked to bat on a soft green pitch, the guests got off to a flying start. Pete Stanton and Rhys Clayton blitzed the score to 40 off 11 overs. However the wheels soon fell off thanks to some tight bowling from Rhodri Evans, Dan Evans and Chris Gwilt.
The Newbridge fields outfit then staggered to 56-1 off 20. And it was from this that Town never recovered. When Stanton fell to Gwilt for 31, the wickets began to tumble regularly.
Although, as usual, Clayton was standing defiantly and ensuring his wicket was not going to be given away. He was keeping his head, when others around them were loosing it.
Clayton was eventually dismissed for 43, in the 34th over. This enabled the lower middle order to try and pull Town over the 200 mark. Rhys Osbourne batted through until the end to remain unbeaten on 31.
But the really lower order blitz came from the charismatic young all rounder Josh Thomas. He played an array of shots to end up with 35. His favourite shot, proved to be one of the most effective of the day. The so called Dilshan or the scoop was used to generate the runs that he hoped would see Town to a defendable total.
Despite Thomas and Osboune’s best efforts Town ended up on 190-8 Dan Evans (3-22) Chris Gwilt (2-26) and Rhodri Evans (3-36) all bowled well from their ten overs, to ensure they went to the tea break the happy of the teams.
The host started as they meant to go on. The returning Suranga Dharmasiri (1-20 off 1) was unable to pitch the ball.
The main impetus of the innings came from C Lucardia 46. He was able to pick off the bowlers at ease, and as with many of the hosts batsmen, they exploited the very short legside boundary.
Lucaardia was well supported by all of his team mates who joined him at the crease. A Clarke (25) and skipper Shelton (26) helped edge the hosts closer to the total. Rhodri Evans was having a blinding game, after his exploits with the ball he scored a brisk 26. It was left to R Blake to steer the hosts home with an undefeated 29.
The pick of Towns attack, was their man of the match Rhys Osbourne. Fresh his studies in Prague, he ended up with 3-53 from 10. Although his figures do not fully justify how well he actually bowled. There were also wickets for Thomas (1-35), club chairman Alun Bunston and Rhodri Hopes (1-16). Blackwood were home and dry with a staggering 14 overs go, ending up on 194-6.
Town will be wondering where their next win is going to come from as they desperately seek to avoid relegation.
Sat 20th June
Seconds struggle for form after last over heartbreak
Bridgend 221-7
Abergavenny 223-9
Town's winless run continued as Abergavenny fought back from the dead to win, in last over heartbreak.
In the absence of regular skipper Phil Cadogan, Huw Miles stepped up to the plate. He won the toss and had no hesitation in batting.
As usual, Rhys Clayton opened, but was joined by veteran Pete Stanton. And the innings got off to a flying start, mainly thanks to extras, or more specifically wides. After just 6 legal balls Town were on 11, with 6 extras, despite Stanton being dropped first ball.
Town were progressing nicely in the early overs, with Stants being the aggressor and Clayton playing cautiously. They managed to put on 57 for the opening wicket, before the veteran fell for a 26. It was not the first time this season, that Stanton has got a start, but failed to go on.
Steve Hughes joined Clayton, and they continued scoring with considerable ease. Hughes and Clayton progressed the score onto 144 before Hughes fell for a brilliant 41.
Despite further wickets falling at regular intervals, Clayton stood strong until the 41st over. He was finally dismissed, having frustrated the bowlers, for a majestic 44.
This brought young all rounder Devlin Smith to the crease. Smith is well known for his good hand eye coordination, ands once again he showed how valuable he was to the team. He blitzed his way to a quick fire unbeaten 39, including taking 13 off the last over.
Although the most telling contribution of the innings came in the form of extras. The guests managed to bowl 46 wides and 56 extras in total. Aided by the waywood bowling, the hosts managed to score a respectable 221-7 in their allotted 50 overs. Owain Bradley (4-40) and Chris Heartland (2-36) were the pick of the bowlers.
Town knew that to win they needed quick wickets. And that is what they got. Veteran Colin ‘geezer’ Kelly (1-41) and Rhodri Hopes (1-49) got early wickets. Although this is when the wheels came off. Ryland Wallace, father of Glamorgan wicket keeper Mark, and Chris Heartland rebuilt the innings and set up a victory pursuit. They managed to put on 96 before Wallace was dismissed for 34.
It was young fast bowler Josh Thomas who made the breakthrough. He was showing maturity beyond his years with a great exhibition bowling. His line and length was causing most of the problems. After the breakthrough, wickets continued to fall at regular intervals. Will Spreadbury (1-47) managed to pick up a wicket.
But despite Thomas’ best efforts of 5-34 from 10, Town were to loose in the last over. Lower order batsmen Pike (33 not out) showed great composure in guiding his team over the finishing line.
Abergavenny were home with two balls to go and deny Town that moral boosting win, that so desperately need in order to preserve their premier league status.
Sat 13th June
Town toil at Newport
Newport 257-8
Bridgend 136-7
Towns poor run of form continued as they came away with a losing draw against Newport.
After the hosts won the toss and chose to bat, Town were up against it. Despite missing the injured Rhodri Hopes, skipper Phil Cadogan was able to call upon the pace bowling of Dominic Mabbs.
The new ball was given to Mabbs (1-50) and veteran Colin Kelly (1-40), although neither could get the breakthrough that Town wanted. And after trying a bit of spin bowling early on, through Rhys Clayton, Cadogan turned to young ginger seemer Josh Thomas.
A decision that was rewarded immediately as he broke the opening stand of 83, when Cadogan smartly caught Millichip for 37. It was Thomas’s only victim as he ended up with respectable figures of 1-47.
Despite Millichip’s departure, fellow opener Hoskins looked in imperious form. He was scoring at ease as, as the runs were flowing at a constant 5 an over.
Town turned to club chairman Alun Bunston and all rounder Will Spreadbury. They bowled well in tandem, picking up wickets at regular intervals, but could not contain Hoskins. He managed to carry his bat for a magnificent ton, finishing on 116, a knock which included 13 boundaries. He was well supported by Knox (27) and lower order batsmen Ahmed and McClean (both 20) Bunston ended up with 2-43 and Spreadbury 3-51 as Town were set 258 to win.
The Town reply got off to the worst start possible, loosing both openers inside ten overs. Ian Keen (1) was caught behind off Ahmed, whilst the inform Clayton was out for a duck.
Bunston and Spreadury set about trying to rebuild the innings, but progress was slow. From the off Town struggled to match the required run rate off just over 5 an over. And when both Bunston and Spreadbury fell in quick succession, it was and uphill task for the visitors.
And when skipper Cadogan fell for 14, trying to lift the run rate, a Town victory never looked likely. Stalwart Pete Stanton was trying to keep the runs flowing, but without troubling the bowlers. He finished with a red inker of 25. Spencer collier (22) offered some resistance, and when Mabbs was out for 14, it was a case of hanging on for the draw.
The innings eventually concluded with Town on 136-7, with the hosts hanging taking the majority of the points. Cadogan now faces the mammoth task of lifting the confidence of his badly wounded troops quickly, or relegation from the premiership will be on the cards. Town will be hoping a return to New bridge Fields next Saturday to face Abergavenny will be the turning point of disappointing season to date.
Sat 30th May
Town put up fight at Chepstow
Chepstow 306-5
Bridgend 240-6
On a perfect day for batting, on a rock hard pitch the toss was always going to prove vital, as neither team wanted to field first in the blistering heat. And when skipper Cadogan lost the toss, it was a sign of things to come.
Town were simple outclassed in all areas of the game, and were made to toil in the heat. Sloppy fielding and dropped catches proved costly.
B Jones and P Bennett put Town to the sword early on with a massive opening stand of 181 before Jones fell to Spreadbury (3 for 31) for a brilliant 87. The 14 year old batsmen showed true quality and maturity beyond his years whilst batting in the tropical conditions.
P Bennett was also in brilliant form as he recorded a century in a near perfect innings. His only mistake, other than getting out, came when he was dropped on 110 by the skipper Cadogan, as he misjudged the flight of the ball through the sky, before over running it and consequently attempting to take it above with his hands behind his head. However this drop was not to prove costly as he was eventually dismissed for a superb 121.
The innings was rounded off nicely by D Bennett who remained unbeaten on 57, while ably supported by J Kings (23) The ever improving youngster Josh Thomas deserved better figure than he picked up (2-54 off 8) As the teams went for tea, Town’s confidence was low, but with a belting batting track, which was getting quicker as the day progressed, after Town hope of achieving the impossible.
Despite the best efforts of the Town batsmen, it was always going to be a tough ask to chase down over 300. The innings did not get off the greatest of starts as the visitors lost 2 early wickets.
First to go was stalwart Pete Stanton, who was run out it in a catastrophic mix up with youngster Rhys Clayton. Stanton turned and rang the second, only to find that Clayton was only interested in a single. With both at the same end of the wicket, Stanton had to go. This brought skipper Cadogan to crease, who after loosing the toss and dropping to relatively easy catches thought his day could not get any worse, gloved one to the keeper, while attempting to leave the ball, for a fourth ball duck.
Former captain Spencer Collier joined Clayton in the middle, and tried to rebuild the innings. Collier eventually fell Rogers for a good 53. New Town signing Will Spreadbury then came to the party, and smashed an exhilarating 52 off just 7 overs, as Town’s faint hopes of victory stayed alive. And when Clayton brought up yet another 50 (his fourth of the season) Town were poised for a late onslaught. However, the departure of both Spreadbury ( 52) and Clayton (50) in quick succession, the wheels came off. Bowling all rounder Devlin Smith once again contributed with the bat (41 not out) but Town fell short on 240-6. Rogers finished with 2-26 off 9, while Harris returned figures of 2-42 off 10.
Cadogan will hope his badly wounded troops can turn it round when they entertain Pentyrch down Newbridge Fields next Saturday.
Sat 23rd May
Sully end Town's winning run
Sully 201-6
Bridgend 173
Despite the best efforts of youngster Josh Thomas and Rhys Clayton, Town fell short of a third consecutive victory in the South Wales Cricket league 2nd XI Premier Division.
After last weeks impressive victory away at St Fagans, Phil Cadogan led his troops into battle against Sully, who won the toss and invited the visitors to bat. And this decision was rewarded as early as the second over, when Rhodri Hopes removed opener Horlock for a duck.
The opener bowling partnership of Hopes and Colin ‘Geezer’ Kelly was proving to be very effective, with 6 maidens in the first 10 overs. When Williams fell to Geezer (1-21) for 8, aided by a smart catch by the skipper, Sully were in trouble at 19-2. However a resilient third wicket stand frustrated the Newbridge Fields outfit, although the runs were coming slowly.
Opener Roger Clitheroe was next to depart when he was run out by former captain Spencer Collier for a superb 53, which had helped his side progress to 167.
Young bowler Josh Thomas, who just 2 weeks ago, ripped the heart out of Sully’s third eleven with 6-21, was again in menacing form. He bowled with great accuracy and pace and ended up with 2-34 from his allotted 10 overs.
Despite Thomas’s best efforts, the runs were now flowing. Hopes who had bowled superbly well in his first spell, was taken to the cleaners in his second, conceding 46 from 5 overs to end with figures of 1-53.
Sully scored an incredible 106 runs from the last 15 overs thanks to superb knocks from Jones (59) and Hood (34) Their departures brought Sullivan to the crease, who with only thing in mind, scored a blistering unbeaten 25 from just 3.5 overs. This ensured that Sully were the happier of the teams at the break having posted 201-6.
Despite the woeful end to the first innings, Town were confident they could chase down the total, just has they did in their previous games. Sully wanted early wickets to put pressure on the hosts, and after 13 overs they had, Town were 21-2. The mean out were Will Spreadbury for 9 and club Chairman Alun Bunston for 1. However, Rhys Clayton, who was involved in a 3rd XI record opening partnership against Sully 3rds two weeks ago was once again in imperious form, and Pete Stanton - also involved in the aforementioned game- set about rebuilding the innings.
Stanton eventually fell for 23, and was quickly followed by Collier went for a duck. Now Town were really under pressure at 77-4. Cadogan (9) joined Clayton in the crease. By now Clayton was in full flow, with runs coming at ease. Clayton recorded his third league half century with a typically stylish push through the off side for 2.
Clayton was able to keep the runs ticking from one end, but his partners were falling regularly, as if they had swine flu! Of the lower middle order, only Devlin Smith offered resistance, with a valiant 22. As the overs were running out, 16 year old Clayton, tried to be inventive to see Town home. His efforts however, saw the hosts fall short, as he was bowled for 80 off the last ball. Town has succumbed to Sully by 29 runs, and end the decent run that they were on.
Cadogan will be looking for a positive response from his wounded troops as he they march to Chepstow next Saturday.
Sat 16th May
Bridgend riding high after St Fagans win
St Fagans 140
Bridgend 141-4
On a day where no other Town fixtures were played, the second eleven, picked up from where they left off the week before.
Despite a the heavy rain throughout the week, the game went ahead, although reduced to 39 overs a side after heavy down pour as Town arrived. After laying down half a ton of sawdust, St Fagans started their innings. The hosts won the toss and decided to bat on the only dry patch of ground in South Wales.
However, with hindsight in mind, this was a wrong decision as Towns bowlers dominated the batsmen. With overcast condition, Town captain Phil Cadogan gave the new ball to the emerging Rhodri Hopes and the evergreen veteran Colin Kelly. And it was not long before hosts skipper Nick Allen was regretting batting, when Hopes bowled him with a peach of an in swinging delivery.
This was a sign of things to come. Wickets fell at regular intervals, with no partnerships passing 30 and only two batsmen passing 20. However it was the introduction of Jamie Russell to the attack, that swung the game towards the visitors.
In two separate smells, he ripped through the batting line up. His tight and extremely bowling was well rewarded with this figures of 4-26 from 6 overs, including the last three wickets in five balls. With only Chris Maruza (29) and Luke Vincent (25*) offering any form of resistance.
Cadogan would have been the happy of the two skippers going into the tea break. Town opened up with newby Will Speadbury and, after back to back half centuries, the promoted Rhys Clayton. Both were extremely confident of winning the battle, so long as the rain held off, and it did for 12 overs. After a heavy downpour, both captains decided the pitch was playable, and Town battled on.
Despite loosing both openers and the captain in quick succession, Bridgend needed 52 off the last 12 overs. At the crease were Town chairman Alun ‘Bunny’ Bunston and Russell.
Both batted superbly under the now clear blue skies, and guided Town home to an emphatic 6 wicket victory.
Russell ended up undefeated on 27, while Bunny, who showed true class with both his stroke play and running between the wicket, remained there on 23. It was the first time in a long and illustrious career that Bunny had a strike rate of any close to 100!
Bridgend were home and dry with 4 overs to spare and recorded one of their biggest, if not the biggest scalp in recent years. They will be looking to push on now, after winning two of their opening three games.
Sat 9th May
Town get first win of the season
Suddbrook 163-9
Bridgend 164-5
After a faltering start at home on Bank holiday Monday, Town got their campaign up and running, whilst giving Phil Cadogan his first win as skipper.
Cadogan won the toss and inserted the visitors on a pitch that had seen a lot of rain during the week.
The opening bowling combination of youngster Rhodri Hopes and the charismatic Dominic Mabbs soon had the visitors in trouble. Tight bowling, with pace and swing, was well backed up in the field and Town soon reduced the visitors to 26 for 5 after 11 overs. Mabbsy has only been back in the country a few days after his tour of the Southern Hemisphere, and picked up from where he left off last year, claiming very respectable figures of 3-27 from his allotted ten overs, while Hopes finished with 2-29.
The visitor’s batsmen simply struggled to cope with the town attack, although a recovery was staged. Former first team skipper Gordon Vokes came to the crease and batted very sensibly, to steer his side to a respectable total. Vokes ended up undefeated on 49. His defensive play was first class, and not even the experience of Colin Kelly could break him down. He was ably supported by Karamosuis 28 and Slape 33. Although, Town will be wondering how they managed to recover from 26 for 5 to score over 150.
The total would have been greater had not been for the superb fielding exploits of the club returnee Huw Williams. Williams pulled off a string of superb stops to stop boundaries and put pressure on the batsmen.
Town were confident of knocking off the required runs with a few overs to spare, but their innings did not get off to the best off starts. Openers Williams and Ian Keen were lost for single figure scores in the first 8 overs. This brought Steve Hughes and Town new boy Will Spreadbury to the crease. Spreadbury was unlucky in his dismissal, the ball rolling off his bat and onto the stumps to remove one bail, almost as if it was in slow motion. And when former captains Spencer Collier and club chairman Alun Bunston were dismissed, Town were in a spot of bother at 77-5.
They need not have worried though, as captain Cadogan was in no mood for losing, and played his shots in his typical swashbuckling fashion. Cadogan (33 not out) and Hughes (56 not out) steered Bridgend home with nine overs to go.
It was a moral boosting first victory of the season, as they look to retain their South Wales Cricket League 2nd XI Premiership status.
Cadogan will be hoping for back to back victories next Saturday when he leads his troops down the M4 to play St Fagans.
Mon 4th May
Bridgend lose first match of the season to Usk
Bridgend 162-8
Usk 163-7
The second XI got their season underway with a re-arranged fixture against Usk on bank holiday Monday.
With a strong wind at Newbridge Fields rendering the sight screens unusable the visitors won the toss and inserted Bridgend.
Ian Keen (7) and Chris Bushell (51) got Town off to a slow but decent start putting on 36 for the first wicket before Keen became the first of Jake Roderick's four wickets.
Bushell carried on his good form from Saturday allowing Town to build their innings around him. Steve Hughes (26), captain Phil Cadogan (27) and Jamie Russell (18) offered good support and Town progressed steadily.
Despite some difficult conditions (the only warmth coming from the arrival of a Dominoes pizza after the 20th over courtesy of Dominic Mobbs), Usk kept their bowling and fielding tight throughout the innings. This meant that Town could never quite push their scoring to the rate they would have liked. A total of 162-8 at tea feeling slightly on the low side.
Bridgend's fears were confirmed as despite some good bowling from openers Dominic Mabbs and Rhodri Hopes, Usk moved past 50 without loss. The first breakthrough came with the introduction of spinners Dev Smith (2-31) and Alun Bunston (2-29). Smith producing two cracking legbreaks to remove both the Usk openers. Bunston quickly claimed a third wicket and the home side looked to be back in the match.
But some sloppy fielding in the form of several dropped catches allowed former first XI captain of Usk, Neil Perrett (48*) and Sanjay Thapan (40) to regain control for the visitors, before Thapan fell to the arm of Jonny Ling with Usk some 20 runs short of victory.
Despite a late wobble Jamie Russell (2-19) bowling with considerable pace claimed a further two wickets, with Ling managing to hold onto two catches, Perrett steared Usk home for the win with 3 wickets and 4 overs to spare.