Penarth run riot in rout (From Penarth Times)

Penarth run riot in rout

PENARTH'S 1st XI travelled to Spytty Park on Saturday to take on a Newport side that have had a very poor start to their campaign - and the Seasiders came out emphatic victors.

On losing the toss Penarth were asked to field first, and had to work extremely hard on a batsman-friendly wicket.

Indeed it took 12 overs and 54 runs before John Vaughan-Davies trapped Owen Strange lbw for eight.

There were then two more quick wickets as Richard Skone had Carwyn James caught behind for 29 and Tom Dilnot-Smith removed Gary Wood for 15 to leave the home side 72-3. Nathan Millichip then combined with Tom Roberts (28) and Rhys Harper (15) as he went on to record a fortuitous 56.

Roberts and Harper both fell to the left arm spin of Chris Round (10-2-34) while James Docherty bowled fruitlessly but economically at the other end (8-0-30).

Millichip was finally trapped lbw by Vaughan-Davies, who went on to collect the wickets of Evans (7) and Dennehy (0) in recording figures of 4-31.

Skone returned to pick up the wicket of Mobeen (7) as he finished with 2-23. The Newport innings ended with a farcical run-out and the score on 198, which was well under par on a good batting pitch.

The Newport opening bowlers then contrived to gift Penarth a flying start and the Seasiders found themselves 51-0 after just five overs with 13 extras and numerous bad balls for Ricketts and Nick Morgan to feast on.

The run rate slowed but the momentum did not as Penarth reached 127 before Morgan was trapped lbw for 48.

Ricketts went for 72 with the score on 147, but Penarth cruised home as Vaughan-Davies (29 not out) and Round (21 not out) took in some batting practice as Penarth reached their target and maximum points in the 40th over.

l It was altogether a more exciting finish at the Athletic field where 2nds skipper Dave Stevens finally managed to lead his side out and recorded his first, if somewhat nailbiting, victory.

Newport batted first and made 197-8, Robert Crimp was at his miserly best recording figures of 10-2-10, while there were also wickets for Gareth Davies, Mark Thomas, Peter Ingram and Andy Prickett.

In reply Jack Parkinson made a fine 40 early on and Rhys Morgan and Tom Sidford both scored in the teens. Crimp added to his earlier successes with 32 but nonetheless Penarth were reeling at 153-7 when Gareth Davies joined Mark Thomas at the crease.

The pair built slowly and steadily until finally bringing out their full array of shots to finish the match with five overs to go, Thomas ending 35 not out and Davies 27 not out. This leaves the 2nds undefeated and in second place in the table.

l Ishy Akhtar's 3rd XI had a comprehensive win at the Athletic field as Ian Humpage and John Clogg proved too good for St Peter's batsmen as they picked up three wickets each.

Ian Summerfield was the star of the Penarth show as he scored a rapid fire 72 as Penarth knocked the runs off for the loss of just two wickets.

l The 4th XI were not so successful as they went down by eight wickets to Barry Wanderers.

Batting first, Phil Ward led from the front as he hit a magnificent 80, with support coming from Dave Slugg (20), and Mike Parry (17) as Penarth hit 167.

However, Penarth were unable to bowl with the discipline that was seen the previous week, and in taking only two wickets (which Mr Slugg assures me should have been three) they failed to put enough pressure on the home side who came away with the win.

A quick congratulations to Matt Thomas on his first Century for the club, and to Tom Parkinson for producing the best shot of the weekend, both in Sunday's friendly encounter with Llangybi.

Teams for this week:

1st XI v Cardiff (H) meet 11.50am:

D Ricketts, J Hughes, N Morgan, J V-Davies, R Skone, J Docherty, M J Thomas, R Morgan, M A Thomas, P Ingram, T D-Smith

2nd XI v Cardiff (A) meet 11.45am:

D Stevens, J Parkinson, T Sidford, R Crimp, N Stephens, R Meggitt, G Davies, R Bromiley, I Humpage, A Prickett, P Goodfellow

3rd XI v Caerphilly (A)

I Akhtar, H Elias, R Healy, R Goodfellow, J Clogg, V Aitkin, S Wilkinson, Z Ghelan, C Lewis, G Thomas, A Chilcott

4th XI v Caerphilly (H)

From: P Ward, J Ward, A Drew, R Latts, Rhodri Morgan, H Morgan, D Slugg, M Parry, T Miller, J Curtin, J Davies, T Parkinson, S Newman

1st XI v Brynmawr - Welsh Cup (H) Meet 1.00pm

D Ricketts, J Hughes, N Morgan, J V-Davies, R Skone, J Docherty, M J Thomas, K Maddox, M A Thomas, P Ingram, T D-Smith.