Match Reports
1st XI | 2nd XI | 3rd XI | 4th XI |Sun 21st June
Dads show the Lads how it's done!
Lads 227-7
Dads 228-6
Fathers Day saw the very first lads versus dads game down Newbridge Fields.
It was aimed at having 11 fathers play against 11 sons, but, as in true town style, that plan never formulated. Never the less, with slight tweeking of the rules the game went ahead.
Lads captain Johnny Ling-Brett decided to bat first after winning the toss against his adopted Dad for the day, Kerry Brett-Ling. If only Madonna was finding it that easy to adopt a child!
So the dads dusted off the cobwebs from their once fashionable David Gower branded whites, re threaded the boot laces and with the aid of zimmers made their way out to field.
The lads innings got off to a blistering start with 17 coming off the first over and 71 off 10. Evan Stanton was in blistering form punishing anything short or wide, by despatching them to the boundary. Former Town great Bobby Pearce was taking the main blows as his figures of 0-34 off 4 show. Iwan Bunston was also scoring with considerable ease.
However, the runs were harder to come by from the A48 end. Stanton senior, Pete, was given the new ball. And more out of fear of being bowled by his old man, shut up shop. Stanton (2-39 from 7) was turning the ball both ways, and was rewarded with the wicket of Bunston.
Bunston (17) was somewhat controversially given out LBW, although the ball appeared to hit on the elbow. Despite that, the opening partnership of 62 layed the foundations for what should have been a massive score.
Dan Boyle came to the crease, and looked uneasy against both spin and pace bowling. Nigel Clayton was bowling with great accuracy and pace and, aided by smart catch from Alex Frew (Tom’s guardian for the day) Boyle was on his way for 14.
This brought Frew to the crease, and despite some ‘encouraging’ words from his brother was very watchful at first. Frew then took a leaf out of his brothers books, by trying to hit every ball out of the park.
His innings came to an abrupt and slightly controversial end. Frew (18) sacrificed his wicket so that Stanton could continue after a mix up. The controversy came when it was Alex who run Tom out. Frew had started walking off, but relaised Alex hadn’t taken the bails off, and just as Tom was about to get back into his crease, Alex whipped the bails off.
This was the start of the turn around for the dads. Wickets began to fall at regular intervals, and nobody was able to repeat Stanton's feat.
Stanton eventually fell for 72, going for one big shot too many off the bowling of Chris Roberts (6-0-36-1) Stanton’s knock included 9 boundaries. Rhys Clayton and Lewis Hopkin both scored 18. Mike Hopkin, father of Lewis, managed to bowl his youngest son with his last ball to finish with 2-48 from 7.
It was left to captain Ling-Brett (25*) and Tom Pearce (0*) to bring the innings to a close on a respectable 227-7.
With youth and mobility on their sides, the lads thought the game was in the bag at the tea break, and perhaps over confidence set in.
The dads innings was opened up by Alex Frew and Paul Roberts. The two batsmen gave the dads the start they needed. Frew, who has been struggling for form all season with the bat, was hoping to spend time in the middle. Despite opening bowler Rhys Williams causing Frew some problems, he scored at ease, with is usual aggression. Frew eventually fell for 34, when he pulled Rhys Clayton for 4, only to stand on his stumps in the process.
Roberts was looking in class form, as if he not been away from the game for so long. Terry Boyle was also looking in good nick. He was playing his shots with ease and great ability, and quickly moved passed his son's score.
Roberts quickly moved to his 50, although he did look a bit nervous in the 40s. But when he was caught behind for exactly 50 and Boyle fell for 21, the lads could smell victory.
It was Rhys Clayton and Evan Stanton causing the problems. Both were bowling well and be well backed up by their field. Clayton finished with (8-0-36-3) and Stanton (5-0-26-2).
And when the dads lost Mike Hopkin (0) and Chris Roberts (4) the dads were in trouble. But they should never of even worried. Club legends Alun Bunston and Pete Stanton came to the crease with objectives of guiding their side to victory and scoring more than their sons.
Stanton was showing true class in dispatching the ball to areas of the park, while the club chairman was more watchful.
Stanton brought up his 50 with consecutive boundary 4’s, the first of which was a glance down to fine leg and then a glorious cover drive.
He was eventually bowled for Rhys Williams (1-36 from7) looking to end the game with a lusty blow. Not alone would that have delivered victory, but it would also of given Stanton senior bragging rites, as he would passed Evan’s 72. As it was, Stanton fell for 70.
It was left to Bunston (21 not out) and Bobby Pearce (6 not out) to see the Dads home.
No doubt that the lads will say they let dads one with it being fathers day, but seen as half of them did not even get their dad a card (Jonny and Clayton to name but two) the dads wont buy this excuse.
The dads had successfully managed to blow away kinds of aches and niggles, and rustiness to claim a massive victory, that will surely put all debate as to who are the better cricketers to rest!
Dads get in that ice bath and hopefully you will be fir for next years game (or we could retire as undefeated champions).