Seasider's new captain's success (From Penarth Times)

Seasider's new captain's success

UNDER the newly elected captaincy of Dipper Ricketts, Penarth 1st XI entertained the 2001 league champions Pentyrch CC.

Ricketts immediately lost the toss and Penarth were in for a long day in the field.

Mark Frost opened the bowling and with Graham McNaughton, both bowled a good line. Runs were hard to come by and after 15 overs Pentyrch had amassed 29 runs for the loss of two wickets.

A middle order recovery was established with Steve Lewis, Steve Cotton and Matt Brown all reaching 40s.

After their allotted 55 overs they had scored 196 for 9 with Frosty being the pick of the bowlers, only conceding 19 runs in his 15 overs and taking three wickets. He was backed up by Peg String Ingram who took 2 for 35, Richard Skone 2 for 60 and McNaughton 1 for 38 in 15 overs.

After another superb tea (thanks ladies) the skipper opened the batting with Panther Edwards and runs began to flow, but both openers went lbw for 21 (Ricketts) and 33 (Edwards), with the opening partnership being 55.

Skone and Jimmy "Five" Docherty entered the fray with the latter being especially harsh on any bad ball. The runs continued and the Pentyrch total was passed without any further loss, with Skone getting 63 and Docherty 66.

All players are now looking forward to the big challenge of Sully at home next week. The 2nd XI travelled to Pentyrch, also facing an afternoon in the field, which scored 178 for 8 after their 50 overs. Pick of the bowlers were Robert Crimp with 3 for 31 and Neil Stephens 2 for 60.

The target was never in danger once Stephens was out lbw by Crimp for 38. Zimmer Docherty, carried his bat for 75, with Crimp hitting the winning 6.

The 3rd XI travelled to Mountain Ash, but failed to win after fielding first and giving away over 40 extras in a total of 246 for 6, Debutant Keith Pires was the only bowler to make an impression with 2 for 28.

The response failed by some 50 runs with the final score being 194 for 7, with John Clogg getting 43 not out, Adrian Chilcott 38 and captain Anthony Crimp 33.

The 4th XI entertained Mountain Ash and scored a total of 178 for 6 from their 40 overs, with Graham Hooper scoring 32, Pup Parry 39 and Tom Parkinson 29 not out (which equates to £2.90 at 10p a run!)

The visitors onslaught never got going and they were bowled out for 100, with Matt "Bluebirds" Birch taking 2 for 11, Richard Smallwood 2 for 17 and young Rhys Goodfellow 3 for 21 in 7 overs.

Sunday saw Radyr visit the ground for a Welsh Cup match, and they elected to bat after some early morning drizzle.

After their 40 overs they were 137 for 9 with wickets being shared by five bowlers, not to mention the three suicide run outs from Ricketts, Meggitt and Docherty.

The target was easily reached in the 24th over for the loss of three wickets, with Richard Meggitt getting 52 and Ricketts 46. Docherty and Peter Goodfellow seeing them home safely.