Eight-wicket victory as team returns to good form (From Penarth Times)

Eight-wicket victory as team returns to good form

PENARTH made a welcome return to winning ways last weekend as they recorded a fine eight wicket victory over a poor Panteg side at the Athletic Field.

Stand-in skipper Richard Skone lost the toss and Panteg elected to bat - mainly due to the fact that at that point in time they had only eight men.

John Clogg made his first appearance for the 1st XI this year and capped it with a fine display as he took 2-41 in his ten overs.

John Vaughan-Davies opened with Clogg and his first spell of 7 overs for just 8 runs was a brilliant display of swing bowling. Skone, James Docherty and Mark Thomas bowled throughout the middle of the innings and really put the pressure on Panteg's batsmen who struggled for runs on a fairly good wicket.

Skone finished with 2-21, Docherty 1-28 and Thomas 3-24 as Panteg continued to have problems accumulating runs. Vaughan-Davies came back on to claim the wicket his efforts deserved and there was a calamitous run out to complete the visitors under-par display which saw them finish 137 all out.

Penarth completely dominated the Panteg bowlers in reply with 16-year-old debutant Tom Sidford looking comfortable at the crease and Vaughan-Davies showing the Panteg batsmen how it should be done at the other end.

Vaughan-Davies raced to 54 before he holed out to extra cover, and Matt Thomas hit a quick fire 10 before he too fell. But the day belonged to Sidford who showed a great deal of maturity and patience as he carried his bat for 55 not out, with Rhys Morgan 13 not out at the end.

This weekend Penarth face a trip to Pentyrch, a match which the Seasiders will be looking to win as they strive to end the season on a high note.