Misery mounts at Miskin (From Penarth Times)

Misery mounts at Miskin

Penarth's 1st XI missed a golden opportunity to take a big stride towards safety last weekend as they were convincingly defeated by a Miskin side who were without a league win.

And to add further disappointment to an already wretched weekend Abergavenny upset the form book to beat Cardiff and move ahead of Penarth in the league table.

Penarth's demise was due to an incompetent effort with the bat as they sank to just 131 all out to a bowling attack which has been struggling to take wickets all year.

Penarth were in trouble from the very start and after just 10 overs were 22-4, Dave Ricketts (0), Peter Goodfellow (1), Richard Meggitt (0) and James Docherty (8) all falling to Aled Jones. Lloyd Smith and Peter Docherty started to rebuild but a lapse in concentration from the young Smith saw him stumped off the bowling of Nick Ashby for 20 and the total at 49-5.

Docherty however refused to give his wicket away and became the backbone of Penarth's innings and he found support in the form of skipper Richard Skone. However it was not to last as Skone had picked up a bad stomach from some suspect milk that morning and was unable to stay in the middle for a sustained period, finally retiring on 10 not out.

Richard Childs (1), Mark Thomas (7) and Peter Ingram (0) all came and went in the intervening period before Skone finally returned to add another 8 to his previous total before being caught off the bowling of Tom Eveson for 18.

Docherty was the final wicket to fall scoring an excellent 57, which had there been a bit more around him proved to be the basis a defendable target.

Miskin had no intention of blowing their chance to record a first league win and came out with all guns blazing, scoring 42 runs in just 6 overs before the main perpetrator, Garan

Treharne was finally bowled by Peter Ingram for 29. While John Francis followed soon after for 12 bowled by Mark Frost, shortly followed by Mike Bishop in the same manner for 11.

Penarth were now back in the hunt as at 80-3 Miskin suddenly looked vulnerable. However a fine opportunists knock from Ali Najmi, ably supported by Eveson took the home side to within just 9 runs of victory, despite a fine display of bowling from Frost.

Even then, when Frost managed to take 2 wickets in one over, including that of Najmi for 47, the other being Keryn Treharne for 0, Miskin stuttered and look lacking in the conviction to finally finish the game. When the end did come it came from a glorious shot from Eveson who finished 21 not out and Penarth now face the grim reality that if they don't win at least 2, but more probably 3 of their last 6 games they will almost certainly be making a very swift exit from the top flight.

There was also a shock at Penarth where the table topping 2nd XI were comfortably beaten by Bridgend. Penarth scored a reasonable tally of 214, with Peter Edwards scoring 50, Gwyn Williams 40 Rob Crimp 30 not out and John Clogg 20, although a disappointing middle order display left Penarth 20-30 runs short of what they should have achieved.

What followed next was in the words of 2nd team skipper Mike Hitchen, "The worst display of bowling and fielding seen in the 2nd team this year". Bridgend cruised to their target with 5 wickets in hand, however this may serve as a timely reminder for Hitchen's men that the league won't just fall into their hands, if they want it they will have to work for it.

The Thirds continued their fine run of form with a win against Senghenydd. Tony Crimp's side bowled the visitors out for just 169, Simon Wilkinson taking 2-8 and Elliot Smith 2-35 (which could have been much better if it were not for the 11 extras he bowled!) In reply Penarth knocked off the runs with 3 wickets to spare, Huey Smith scoring a highly impressive 86 not out and Andrew Jewell scoring 21.

Penarth now sit 3rd in their league with 6 wins and just 2 defeats to their name. The 4th XI also continued their fine run with a 6 wicket victory in Senghenydd. The home side batted first but were dismissed for just 112 as Dave Slugg 4-32, Stuart Lewis 2-44, Matt Birch 2-10 and Gareth Davies 2-18 all chipped in on the wickets front.

Penarth made light work of the Senghenydd total with Rob Cox finishing unbeaten on 42 while Gareth Davies scored a good 26.

On Sunday Penarth entertained Caerphilly Druids and came 2nd in an entertaining game. Penarth batted first and scored 185, Matt Birch scoring 41 and Mark Thomas 26. But the Druids knocked off the runs with 5 wickets and 3 overs to spare, Tom Parkinson 2-30 and Sam 'casual' Jenkins 1-14 being the pick of the Penarth attack

And, on Monday to complete a busy week Penarth played host to the Old Xavarians, from Liverpool, in an enjoyable tour match. Penarth batted first and scored 201 with Laith El Khatib top scoring with a hard hitting 50 not out.

In reply the Old X's managed 180-8 with two 50's amongst their ranks, but in the face of some hostile pace bowling from Howard Davies 2-34 some beautiful slow bowling from Mark Thomas 3-17 and some less attractive and slower, though he'll probably argue more effective, bowling from Gwyn Williams 2-10.

The match was followed by a sit down curry for both teams cooked by Mrs Hitchen and co, which was lovely!

WEEKEND TEAMS

1st XI v Newport (H) Meet 12 noon R Skone, P Docherty, J Docherty, D Ricketts, R Meggitt, R Childs, M Thomas, P Ingram, M Frost, L Smith, P Goodfellow.

2nd XI v Newport Fugitives (A) Meet 12 noon: M Hitchen, D Stevens, N Stephens, G Williams, A Prickett, L El Khatib, I Summerfield, P Edwards, G McNaughten, A Chilcott, R Crimp

3rd XI v St Peters (A) Meet at 12.45pm: A Crimp, H Elias, H Smith, E Smith, I Ahktar, J Clogg, D Sadler, R Morgan, R Cox, S Wilkinson, K Maddox.

4th XI v St Peters (H) Meet at 1.15pm: A Drew, D Slugg, R Pugh, G Davies, S Lewis, M Birch, G Hooper, R Harris, G Evans, T Cole, T Sidford. Sunday v Blaina (A) Meet 11am (Pub Lunch): J Docherty, M Slugg, S Newman, D Stevens, M Thomas, M Birch, J Charles, N Townsend, D Williams, A Drew, D Sadler, 12th Man S 'Casual' Jenkins.