Match Reports
1st XI | 2nd XI | 3rd XI |Sat 8th August
Cadogan and Frew lead Town towards promotion
Crosskeys 168-7
Bridgend 172-1
Town’s quest for automatic promotion continued with an emphatic victory away at Crosskeys.
Having won the toss, the hosts decided to bat. And at first it seemed to be a good decision. They raced to 36 off the first 5 overs, but then Town managed to peg them back. Youngster Liam Callaghan (1-25) made the brake through when he removed the opener, aided by a smart catch by Nigel Clayton.
And this was to be their only success until the last ball of Howard Ling’s spell. He removed danger man Mark Baker for 38 thanks to an excellent diving catch at mid on by Alex Frew. This proved to be the turning point of the innings. 6 wickets fell in the next 5 overs, 4 of which went to Matthew Donelly. Donelly was bowling same line and length as Australians did against England, and was well rewarded. The young blonde bombshell ended up with 4-16. Skipper Minchy was rewarded with 1-29. His wicket came in the over after Ling’s, and was once again thanks to a brilliant low diving catch, this time by Suranga Dharmasiri.
The hosts were now in major trouble at 75-7 after 26 overs. However a rebuilding exercise was under way thanks to Cooper and Mole.
Both remained there until the end, and were consequently well set to launch an assault on the Town attack to try and lift the total close to 200. Bridgend used 8 different bowlers to try and break the partnership, but failed. They closed their innings on 168-7. Cooper ended up on 38 and Mole 27.
With a very long tail, starting at number 5 with Andy Marvell, there was pressure on the top order batsmen to perform. And that is exactly what they did.
The returning Phil Cadogan and Dharmasiri opened the batting and both seemed to be going well, progressing onto 30 inside 10 overs, before a wicket fell.
Dharmasiri was stumped off the bowling of Hillier (1-58 from 10) for 12. This brought the out of form Alex Frew to the crease.
Despite being dropped second ball, Frew managed to settle quickly. With at least two bad balls per over, both batsmen were able to pick the runs off at ease.
And many of these bad balls were full and wide of off stump, with fairly short square boundaries the fours were coming constantly.
Both batsmen are renowned for their quick scoring with stylish and elaborate shots, and they did not disappoint. Cadogan, who was extremely upset at the fact he was not asked to bowl, brought up a timeless 50, his first in two years with an exquisite cover drive, that clattered into the fence at blistering pace.
Not even changing the bowlers helped the hosts cause. And with way wood bowling, the extras count was also helping Town race home.
Frew was next to bring up his 50 when a powerfully hit straight drive went for 4. Remarkable in Frews innings of 52 not out, only 5 runs were on the leg side. Cadogan hit the games only six, almost killing two children sat on the banking, to wrap up the game with 15 overs to go. Cadogan ended unbeaten 81, and it was a truly masterful and watchful knock, where surprisingly contained no chances, it was a near perfect innings.
With the two batsmen coming into form, Town will be hoping it continues for the remaining weeks of the season. The unbroken second wicket stand of 140 ensured Town gained 24 points.
With two of their remaining three games at home, Town will have their sights firmly on promotion.
Sat 18th July
Town beat weather but not Pontnewynydd
Pontnewynydd 325-5
Bridgend 172-9
Perhaps it would have been better for the Town fourth eleven if the rain had come and the match abandoned.
Town asked their guests to bat, a decision which soon backfired. Pont opener Andy Barry was looking in imperious form. He was able to pick away at any ball hat was not on the stumps, whatever pace or length and dispatch it to all areas of the ground.
The big powerful hitting soon ensured Town were going to struggle in the field. After 14 overs, the visitors lost their first wicket, when seemer Yasir Arian removed Davies for 16. That was to be Towns only success for the next 25 overs.
Captain Minchinton experimented with bolwers and even turned to part timers Evan Stanton, Alex Frew and Andy Thalaysingam. After regular bowlers Shaun Payne, Howard Ling and Minchy himself had struggled.
And when Frew removed Jones for a useful 20, it was too little to late. The damage had been caused, and Barry was still going strong.
Frew ended up with 3-59 from 10, while Ling ended up removing Barry for a quite beautiful and magnificent 197, as the visitors ended up on 325-5 from 45 overs.
Town were always going to be up against it, and the innings got off to a bad start when Frew was bowled for 4.
For Town only inform batsmen Andy Thalaysingam got past 30, before he was bowled by Barry for 39. It was clear that with 3 wickets, 197 runs and a catch that Barry was man of the match. Although he did prove to be human when he dropped Iwan Bunston, before catching him in the next over for 26.
Town laboured to 172-9, with other useful combinations coming from Carl Morruzzi 22 and Evan Stanton 24. The pick of the bowlers was Andy Barry with 3-34 from 8.
Town will be hoping to bounce back from this embarrassing defeat when they travel to Pentwyn next weekend.
Sat 4th July
Town stay in second
Bridgend 137-7
Penarth 111-8
Not even the rain could prevent this top of the table clash being called off. Town played host to captain Paul Minchington’s arch enimies Penarth, with both sides needing to win to consolidate their promotion push.
The game was reduced to 30 overs and Penarth elected to bowl.
It was depleted Town side, with 4 players making their first appearance of the season, including a debut for Daniel Vine, and Keith Hobby was called out of retirement again.
Town posted a useful 137 from their allotted 180 balls. Everyone contributed in one way or another.
But the returning pair of Richard Lewis and Keith Hobby were the main stay of the innings. Both rolled back the years, with n array of shots that were the envy of many of their team mates, none more so that Andy Marvell!
Hobby top scored with 36, while Lewis weighed in with 23. Then up to the plate stepped former skipper Marvell.
With a significant score under his very large belt this year, he was looking to add quick and valuable runs to score. And with a brisk 30 he did so. Although the only down side to this was he probably bored the clubhouse to death after by talking everyone through his innings, thank God it wasn’t a 50!
Penarth’s best bowler was R Todd, who was well rewarded with 3-20.
Minchy, who hates Penarth with immense passion, was confident his side could defend the total, and indeed he was proved to be right.
Tight bowling and quality fielding/catching saw Town home with ease. What made the display more pleasing was the fact that fielders managed to cling on to an incredible 6 catches, with a ball that was more like a bar of soap.
Matthew Donelly bowled extremely well with reward. He was bowling with great accuracy, as the batsmen failed to score runs freely. The skipper bowled well, and even introduced a new delivery to the game, his ‘slower’ ball. He was rewarded with figures of 2-29 from 8.
But what Howard Ling his achieved against Penarth this year is incredible. He picked 7 wickets in the opening game and 3 in this one. Ten wickets out the 18 to fall have gone to Ling. Hen finished with 3 for 31 from 7.
And when J Hithen 23 and C Adams 20 both fell to Arian Yasir Town were in control. He ended up with 3-18 from 8, the stand out bowling performance of the day.
With this impressive win, Town have no opened up a gap between themselves in second and third placed Penarth. If town can keep this form up, promotion is most certainly on the cards.
Sat 27th June
Town suffer second defeat to rivals Barry
Barry Wanderers 203-7
Bridgend 123
Town suffered only their second defeat of the season at the hands of fellow promotion rivals Barry Wanderers.
After being asked to bowl on the postage size stamp, Town were made to regret mistakes. The evergreen and reliable pair of captain Paul Minchington and Howard Ling opened the bowling. Both finished their ten over spells with exactly the same figures of 0-31 off ten.
After bowling their ten overs through, the hosts were in a solid position of 62-0 off twenty. Then Kerry Brett was introduced to the attack, and this was to prove vital as he picked up with a his very first ball, aided by a smart catch by 13 year old debutant wicket keeper Owen Davies.
Brett was looking in good form and managed to pick up 3 wickets off his ten overs for 42. However in the field, the day belonged to Davies. He ended up with two catches and two stumpings, and will surely go onto have a long and successful career for the club.
The other main contribution with the ball was from former third team captain Jamie Morgan, who ended up with 3-44. The mainstay of the hosts innings were D Thomas 50 and C Barnest 49.
Town, who felt that they were one or two batsmen light, were always going to be up against it. But with the small boundaries at the old hospital in Sully, it was a distinct possibility.
With the inform Andy Thalaysingham opening up, Town were hoping he scored some more runs. And he gave Town a great start, scoring 17 off the first two overs before being dismissed.
Former captain Andy Marvell scored 23, but that was as good as it got.
No one else managed to score runs as Town were eventually dismissed for 123, with 10 overs to go. Much of the damage was caused by A Fernham 3 for 33 and E Tozer 3 for 36.
One consolation for Town was that all the teams below them also lost, which means they remain in second place and play host to arch rivals Penarth next week in a must win game.
Sat 20th June
Minchy's promotion push continues
Blaina 168
Bridgend 169-7
Paul Minchington guided his troops through yet another battle, as once again they triumphed. And with another battle done and dusted, conquering the war (or the league title) is next on the agenda.
On a weekend where the top four teams all played each other, a win was essential. After winning the toss, Minchy elected to field, a decision that worked in their favour.
Despite some tight and accurate bowling with movement both in the air and off the pitch, Town were rewarded with just the one wicket. Minchy (1-24) and youngster Lewis Smith (0-31) showed great composure and ability to limit the guests to few runs, although the occasional bad ball was given the full treatment, especially from left handed opener Coburn. Anything that was short or wide was sent crashing to the legside boundary. Coburn was the mainstay of the innings and top scored with a resilient, if somewhat unstylish shot selection.
It was not until the 25th over that Town could celebrate another wicket. Spinner Alex Frew (1-18 from 7) was brought into the attack for one over, so that Howard Long and Arthur Carrot (Rob Thomas) could swap ends. But with a wicket first ball, Frew was allowed to continue.
When Carrot and Frew were bowling in tandom, the runs dried up, and the pressure began to tell. Carrot (4-47) bowled with ability to turn the ball, and vary his pace. He bowled beautiful, with the exception of his last over (which went for 17- but can be forgiven as it was the penultimate over) and was well rewarded at regular intervals.
Perhaps the biggest bomb detonated in the 31st over, when two wickets fell in just three deliveries, courtesy of Carrot. When the life member of the club, Ling was reintroduced, the tide of the game swung in Towns favour.
Ling bowled with his usual accuracy and managed to clean up the tale with figures of 4-27. It was the stalwart who broke a resilient last 9th wicket standing between A Palmer (34) and the guests skipper. They were nuging and nurdling towards the 200 mark, when Ling removed Palmer, as Blaina were all out for 168.
Town were hoping that the runs would come at ease. The usual leaders of the pack, Carl Morruzzi (5) and Andy Thalaysingam opened up. But when Morruzzi, Frew (3) and Evan Stanton (9) fell in quick succession town were down and badly wounded at 33-3.
Ousted captain Andy Marvell came to the crease to join Thalaysingam and steadied the nose diving bomber plane. Marvell (21) was able supporting Andy T, who once again showed true class, by making the batting look easy. The runs were coming at ease, and Thalaysingam decided to give the fielder catching practice. Although it was not until the 6th attempt he was caught, arguable the hardest chance of the match. As he fell for a magnificent 65, Town hearts began to sink, and think that the Blaina invasion was going to be a success.
But they need not of worried. Iwan Bunston was picking up the ones and twos with great confidence and looked to be guiding the hosts home, when he was caught for 20. This meant that Carrot and the captain Minchy were left with the task of steering the tank home and complete victory in this epic battle. The pick of oppositions bowlers was all rounder G Gwillum 2-42 from his allotted ten overs.
Minchy must now round his troops up, and lead them into battle once again against league leaders Barry next weekend.
Sat 13th June
Town snatch victory from jaws of defeat
Bridgend 138
Croesyceiliog 120
A sensational Town comeback saw them snatch victory from an almost near impossible situation, as they quest for promotion continued.
After defeat last time out, skipper Minchy was hoping his troops could bounce back strongly. And yes they did, but not in the empathic manor that was talked about before the game.
Town decided to bat after winning the toss, and opened up with stalwarts Andy Thalayasingham and Carl Morruzzi.
They raced to 36 inside 8 overs, largely thanks to Thalaysingham who was ruthlessly punishing the bad balls. Young left arm seemer Taylor was the main purportreyor of this, and swiftly removed from the attack.
With Taylor being replaced, this allowed Murphy to swap ends and bowl from the Pavilion end. A decision that was rewarded immediately with a double blow. First Morruzzi (3) failed to beat mid off and was easily caught, and then just two balls later, axed third team player Alex Frew was floored. Frew top edged a full toss into his unprotected face, which forced him to retire hurt.
Thalaysingham fell soon after. He attempted to glance the ball down to fine leg, but only managed in guiding it to the wicket keepers gloves. His blistering 44 included 8 boundaries.
This brought a dazed Frew (1) back to the crease, but he fell quickly and Town were in trouble at 57-3.
Despite youngster Rhys Williams (25) and Kieran Davies(21) steadying a sinking ship, Town were going down quicker than the Titanic.
Young spinner David Mollroy (4-18 from 8) was introduced to the attack and casued problems for all the Town batsmen. He ripped through the lower order to reduce the guests to 138 all out inside 40 overs.
Skipper Minchy was disappointed with this score as 200 was the aim prior to the start of the innings.
A deflated Town went out to field, unsure of weather or not they could defend such a low total.
Quick bowler Tom Pearce bowled with great pace and accuracy until he was forced out the attcak with a hamstring injury. This forced Minchy to introduce Iwan Jones (1-14 from 5) to the attack. And in his first over Jones made the early breakthrough that was needed.
When Rob ’Carrot’ Thomas was introduced to the attack to bowl in tandem with the skipper, the tide of the game swung in Towns favour. Minchy (3-260 was the pick of the Town attack, with his pace, or lack of it, causing major problems. And with Carrot (2-27) turning the ball square, Town were favourites. But when both were bowled out, Town still needed 4 wickets while the hosts needed 39runs. Minchy turned to Williams (3-114 from 3.4) and Frew (1-15 from 3) to see Town home.
The hosts were bowled out for 120, as Town were triumphant by 18 runs. Young keeper batsmen Alex Davies (22) was pick of the batters.
A near perfect display in the field, which saw 8 wickets fall for 50 runs, ensured Town one. Tight fielding and superb catching, particualry bt Thomas, was just what Town required. This game will live long in the memory as one of the greatest comebacks in the clubs history. Town looked dead and buried when the hosts were 70-2.
Town triumphed amidst adversity to secure a vital win, ahead of a top of the table clash against Blaina at home next weekend.
Sat 30th May
Town slide to first defeat of the season
Lisvane 261-4
Bridgend 230
Paul Minchington’s 4th XI lost their first game of the season on Saturday, when they failed to hit the recent high standards at the University playing fields in Cardiff, against Lisvane.
After winning the toss, Minchy elected to bowl on a newly laid pitch, a decision which ultimately cost his side victory.
Town were toiling in the field, and the heat was making life much harder for the visitors. Despite the Caribbean style weather, the pitch was low and slow, which makes the Town bowling performance harder to swallow.
As the bowlers struggled to find any consistent line and length, Davies excelled as he hit a brilliant century, the second time a player has got a ton against Minchy’s maestros this season- and on both occasions his side have failed to win. After 20 overs, the hosts had moved onto 85 with out loss. Not even the return of ever green leading wicket taker Howard Ling (0-38)could inspire Town to take a wicket.
Davies was eventually dismissed for 103 by spinner Jamie Morgan, who was the pick of the bowlers with his 2-49. While the other wickets fell to young seemer Rhys Williams (1-45 off 5) and Leon Pesticcio (1-33 of 6) Although the innings could have had a much better look about it if Town did not concede so many extras, which accounted for the second top score, and drop four catches.
Town were chasing very nearly one a ball from the off, and were given a fantastic start when the experienced pair of Andy Thalayasingham and Carl Morruzzi. They raced to 53 off 10. But when the wickets started to fell, they fell at regular intervals and victory never looked likely.
Thalayasingham showed grit, determination and resilience as he scored a brilliant 75. When he and Morruzzi (25) were back in hutch, Rhys William stepped up to the plate. He scored a brilliant undefeated 44, but was running out of partners. Kieran Davies was out for a duck, Iwan Bunston got 12 and Andy Marvel 27.
The inning eventually came to an end in the 43rd over when, Town were bowled out 230. Despite this being their only defeat of the season to date, they can not afford many more, if any, slip ups if they are to go and win promotion this season.
Sat 23rd May
Undefeated Town top the table
Pentwyn 154-9
Bridgend 157-5
Minchy’s maestros marched on to the top of the table, with a crushing victory over then leaders Pentwyn.
Having won the toss, the leaders decided to bat, a decision that they soon regretted. It was skipper Minchington who made the breakthrough. He removed their opener with an agonizingly slow off cutter. With the normal opening ball combination of Howard Ling and Kerry Brett not playing, it was the exact start the host wanted.
Minchy opened up with himself and young all rounder Liam Callaghan. They both bowled extremely well, with tight wicket to wicket bowling, the runs were hard to come by. Minchington had ripped through the heart of the batting line up o reduce them to 34-4 of 20. The skipper ended up with figures of 4-21 off 10, and the ever improving Callaghan, although not picking up a wicket bowled economically (0-10 from 10).
After the initial damage was caused, the second change bowlers continued the tight bowling. Rhys Williams finished with 3-48 and Leon Pasticcio 2-11 from 7. Pesticcio showed great maturity and a vast improvement since last season with the way he bowled. His line was accurate, and after words of wisdom, from the skipper, the middle order were struggling to score runs freely. The only bowler not to profit from some poor batting was former third team skipper Jamie Morgan. Despite not picking up a wicket, he was keeping it tight from one end, which allowed the seamers to reap the rewards.
The excellent bowling display was backed by some superb fielding and catching. Town were tight in the field, not giving away any sloppy singles and managed to hold on at an incredible 6 catches.
Town were extremely confident of keeping their unbeaten record going. They opened up with the left and right hand combination of Kieran Davies (9) and Andy Thalayasingham. Both openers were looking confident and going well with an opening stand of 38, before Davies ran himself out. This brought Richard Lewis to the crease. Lewis and Thalayasingham moved the score onto 112, before Lewis was out for 30. Despite loosing a few quick wickets, including Thalaysingham who was bowled for 42, Callaghan guided them home. He showed maturity beyond his years to finish unbeaten on 31.
After two wins and a tie in their opening three games, Town sit pretty at the top of the league, and new skipper Minchington hopes this is a sign of things to come, and he hopes to guide his side of youngsters and stalwarts to championship glory.
Sat 9th May
Daniel and Minchington save the day for Town
Bridgend 204-6
Newport IV 204-8
The first fourth XI game of the season at Newbridge Fields ended in dramatic fashion, thanks to last ball wicket by home skipper Paul Minchington to tie the game.
With one needed off the last ball, Minchy bowled Gareth Davies for 105 to ensure a share of the spoils for the hosts.
Town were asked to bat by the visitors and Newport believed that to be the right decision when Town were struggling at 70-3 after 25 overs. Opening batsmen Andy Thalayasingham got the innings off to rapid start with a quick fire 23, before being dismissed.
Fellow opener Adrian Daniel, was also looking good, scoring runs with usual array of attacking shots.
Daniel at the fall of the third wicket was joined by former wicket keeper Iwan Bunston. The veteran and the youngster then kicked the innings of in some style. Daniel played his way to a majestic century, his first for the fourth XI. He was well supported by Bunston (24) as the pair shared in a fourth wicket stand of 110. Bunston, despite not contributing as many runs to the partnership, showed great maturity and patience as well as resilience that reminisced the way his father and current club chairman Alun bats.
And when they both fell, Daniel for 107, former captain Andy Marvell and new recruit Kieran Davies guided Town passed the 200 mark, to ensure maximum batting points.
Davies is creating a reputation as finisher within the club, as he is yet to be dismissed and Bridgend closed their innings on 204- 6.
Town were confident of defending their total, simpye due to the wealth of experience available to bowl.
As well as Minchington, there was Howard Ling, Kerry Brett and former third XI spin sensation Jamie Morgan. Skipper Minchington was able to call upon the in-form Kerry Brett and Howard Ling, fresh from a 7 wicket haul at Penarth to open the bowling.
Brett bowled with great accuracy and even unleashed a quicker ball that the nobody in the club knew he had in his repertoire. He was well rewarded with figures of 1-21 from his allotted 10 overs.
Ling was unable to repeat last week’s feat and found it hard to stem the flow of runs. Davies was looking in top form and keen to emulate Daniel. He too showed a fantastic array of shots and picked up singles with ease. Ling finished with figures of 1-37.
As the game wore on, Newport were drawing closer to the host’s total, and Davies was still standing strong and showing great composure as wickets fell around him.
The introduction of youngster Liam Callaghan to the attack proved decisive. The seam bowler bowled a tight line and was well rewarded, picking up 3-43, to swing the game back in Town’s favor, although Davies was still standing strong.
In a thrilling finale it came down the last over, with Town under pressure as centurion Davies was on strike. And with five needed off the last two balls, a four was struck by Davies, ensuring Town could not win. However with one needed off the last ball, the Town skipper held his nerve to bowl Davies, middle stump, for a beautiful 105 and ensure Town remain unbeaten early on in the season.
Sat 2nd May
Ling gets Town off to winning start
Penarth 44
Bridgend 45-0
The 4th XI ensure that new skipper Paul Minchington started with an emphatic victory by 10 wickets. Penarth were asked to bat by Minchington, who has a love hate relationship with several of their players. And that decision was soon justified.
The evergreen Howard Ling, turned in his best figures for several years of 7-10 off ten overs. His tight bowling, lacking the pace it once had, still had the accuracy that many bowlers strive to achieve. The simple plan of bowling wicket to wicket was rewarded at regular intervals. Ling was ably supported by 2008’s 3rd team player of the year Kerry Brett (1-19), although Brett says Ling’s success was due to the fact he was bowling with the gentle breeze!
Town knocked off the required runs at ease with veteran dentist Adrian Daniel 18* leading the way. Another Town debutant Kieran Davies remained undefeated on 19 as Town ensured maximum points were gained, and an assault on the title looks to be real possibility for the upcoming season.
This performance must have left former skipper, Andy ‘Captain’ Marvel, wondering why he resigned as captain if it is going to be that easy for the Town this season!