Dinas Powys second XI clinch vital win at home (From Penarth Times)

Dinas Powys second XI clinch vital win at home

LAST Saturday's game was a case of do or die for Dinas Powys Cricket Club's Second Eleven.

After a dismal run of results, the side knew that the arrival of fellow strugglers Girlings Centurions to Bryn-y-Don offered them their best chance of victory, and with it subsequent Division Two survival.

After a false weather report caused considerable panic early on, the game got under way as planned and Dinas opted to take first knock.

In tough conditions on a difficult track, skipper Evans was again somewhat lured into his decision by the ever enthusiastic Matthew Hunt, who, if the situation arose, would win the toss and bat on foam.

Re-united with fellow opener Geoff Colley, Hunt was the first to fall for 13 after a confident start. However after the immediate dismissal of Ram Patel, the Villagers were in need of a partnership at 33-2.

Jason Harries came to the wicket and offered Colley the support he needed, out scoring his partner en route to a fine 45, with a superb six over extra cover the undoubted highlight.

An impressive one handed catch put pay to Harries' innings with the score at 113-3 after 25 overs. Dinas debutant Huw Jones was next man to the crease, which heralded another increase in the tempo.

A wilting Girlings were made to work hard by the pair, who ran hard and hit big. A good start to his Dinas career saw Jones fall for 20, and with further assistance from A Morgan (15 no), Colley was able to complete his second century of the season, finally falling for a superb 112.

Thanks in large to Colley's concentration and stroke play, the Villagers racked up a superb 236-6 off their allotted 45 overs.

With the ominous black cloud coming in, Dinas Powys faced a challenge of beating the weather as well as their opponents during the second innings.

Opening bowlers M. Lowe and G. Evans bowled well in tandem, and despite a lack of wickets early on, few bad balls meant that Girlings did not get away quickly at 55 without loss after 14. However had the partnership continued any longer the confidence in the opposition ranks would have begun to grow, and so it was imperative that when they offered a chance it was duly taken.

That chance fell to Simon Wilton who took one of the most important catches he is ever likely to take, as after the initial breakthrough wickets fell at regular intervals.

In truth Girlings were never really in the hunt thereafter, and from 55 for no wicket they were soon reduced, beyond repair, to 60 for 3.

Mike Lowe's impressive form with the ball continued as he bowled out to return fine figures of 12 overs, 2 for 22.

An interesting mix of short and full, legal and illegal deliveries from Harries somehow yielded 2 wickets, and there were also rewards for Evans and Morgan who both clean bowled their victims.

The highlight of an impressive fielding and bowling display was the ever improving Basher, who stood up to bowl beautifully for his Captain.

The Seconds are left to ponder whether or not a simple return catch was put down with any thoughts of jug avoidance.

Girlings' resistance was finally brought to an end in the 39th over, bowled out for 127 to leave Dinas Powys the victors by 109 runs.

Such a fine and well executed win rewarded the side with a maximum 26 points, and with safety from relegation now all but ensured, finally gave the Villagers something to celebrate. There was even word of a smile from Skipper Evans.