A weekend of winning form (From Penarth Times)

A weekend of winning form

PENARTH 1st XI, captained by Dave Ricketts, had a good win over Pontypridd last Saturday, leaving the club wondering if they will suffer from vertigo at the lofty heights of the Premier Division of the Thomas Caroll South Wales Cricket League.

The 3rd XI, under Ishtiaq Akhtar, at home to Mountain Ash, proved too strong for the visitors and Penarth were worthy winners again.

At the helm of the 4th XI Phil Ward took his side to Mountain Ash and provided a full house of wins.

On Sunday Dave Stevens' 2nd XI played a rearranged match against Chepstow, and were again successful.

TEAMS

Team selections for Saturday, June 4:

1st XI v Abergavenny, at home, meet 11.45am: Dave Ricketts (Capt), J Hughes (wkt), N Morgan, J Vaughan-Davies, R Skone, J Docherty, L El-Khatib, K Maddox, Mark Thomas, R Crimp, T Dillnott-Smith.

2nd XI v Abergavenny, away, meet 11.30am: D Stevens (Capt), J Parkinson (wkt), T Sidford, R Morgan, P Docherty, M Slugg, G Davies, R Bromley, J Clogg, A Prickett, I Humpage.

3rd XI v Christchurch, away, meet 12.30pm: I Akhtar (Capt), A Jones (wkt), S Pulapaka, Matt Thomas, M Allen, P Goodfellow, P Edwards, S Wilkinson, D Sadler, Z Gehlan, R Goodfellow.

4th XI v Christchurch at home, meet 1pm: from P Ward (Capt), R Healy (wkt), D Slugg, A Crimp, A Chillcott, M Hitchin, R Cox, M Parry, V Aitken, N Stephens, S Newman, J Davies, R Latts, D Pritchard, T Parkinson, J Ward, H Morgan, C Lewis, S Lewis.

FOR THE second game of the season Penarth Under-15s were away to Llantwit Major, and on losing the toss again were put in to bat under threatening skies. Another solid performance from opener Tom Harries with 27, a typical quickfire 35 from Alex Cox and 16 in five balls by Gareth Thomas supported a very good knock by Huw Morgan with 33 not out and took the score to 149-5 in the 20 overs.

S Wheatley bowled well, taking 4-20 in his 4 overs. Unfortunately the heavens opened and no further cricket was possible.

The third game, a home match, had to be played at Bryn-y-Don, Dinas Powys, because the Penarth ground was fully utilised.

A very well prepared wicket and outfield awaited Penarth and their opponents Old St Mellons, who on winning the toss elected to bat.

Excellent bowling by Huw Morgan, 4 over 1-14, Rhodri Morgan 4 overs 1-16, Alex Cox 4 overs 1-18, Anthony Canham 2 overs 1-10 and the leg spin of Jack Stansfield with his first bowl of the season, taking 2-6 from 2 overs, restricted the opposition to 89-7. This total was never to be enough on a big pitch and Tom Harries, batting almost through to the end with 37, and another bludgeoning 35 from Alex Cox, saw Penarth reach their target for the loss of only one wicket.

The next game is the local derby at Sully.