LOOKING to maintain their 100 per cent record at fortress Bryn-y-Don, Dinas Powys Cricket Club Firsts entertained Machen on Saturday, with stand-in skipper Gordon Hannah invited to bat.

Hannah opened with Nathan Piddock and Dinas, punishing any bad balls, soon raced to 50 from the first six overs. But, with the Machen skipper bringing himself into the attack, Hannah was soon undone, departing for a solid 22. Piddock continued to punish the bad balls on his way to a quick and well made 55 from 60 deliveries, dominating the scoring in partnerships with Brychan Tudor (17), who was bowled leaving a ball that just did a little bit, and Jack Preston (33) who then forged a strong partnership with fellow 18-year-old Matthew Todd-Bennett (37). Once Piddock and Jeff Mitchell (24) were removed in reasonably quick succession, Dinas were bowled out for a strong 273 in the final over - an imposing total for bottom-of-the-table Machen.

After a delicious tea, Machen set about their run chase in a positive manner thanks to some wayward bowling from Dinas. However, Bussell got lucky when a full toss was caught one-handed at fine leg by Piddock, and then Jeff Mitchell took the first of two exceptional slip catches off the bowling of Josh Clogg. Machen structured a patient partnership of 50 before the introduction of Richard 'The Man off the Telly' Morgan changed the game as he completed a fine spell of seam bowling with four for 23 from 10 overs. Alex Vowles then made his 1st XI debut one to remember thanks to another one-handed catch by Jack Preston. However, it was the reintroduction of opening bowler Piddock that brought an end to the game, with his three wickets in three overs enabling Dinas to complete a comprehensive and thoroughly professional win.

Dinas, who took maximum points to maintain their position as second in the league, will look to continue their push for promotion at second bottom Llantwit Fardre.

Dinas' 2nd XI travelled to Malpas for their Division 2 match, with skipper Andy Ford invited to bat. Openers DiMauro and O'Donovan were watchful and cautious as the Malpas opening bowlers kept things tight. Runs were hard to come by and progress was sedate.

BELOW PAR TOTAL

Having moved to 50 without loss, O'Donovan was the first to fall, run out as the openers tried to up the rate. A couple more quick wickets fell, and it looked like a big target was going to be a struggle. Hiscocks came in and promptly struck one over the shorter boundary, but fell attempting the same shot the following over. With skipper Ford the only man hanging in there, a few lusty blows towards the end from Ali and Fleckney dragged the score at the end to a below par 148 for nine.

Dinas needed quick wickets after tea, but they didn't come despite a good opening spell from big left arm seamer Will Mardell. However, the breakthrough eventually came as chairman Jason Harrie's left arm spin deceived the opener. Hiscocks' slow off cutter accounted for the other opener, and he kept the score pegged back with a spell of four maidens in five overs, but runs were leaking at the other end. In a final throw of the dice, the skipper turned to young slow left armer Rhys Lloyd, making his 2nd XI debut, and he nicked two late wickets to finish with two for 18, but it wasn't enough as Malpas strolled home with four wickets and plenty of overs to spare.

DAVIDSON'S CAMEO

The 3rd XI entertained Monkswood Thirds at the Common, with Dinas stand-in skipper Storey electing to bowl.

The new ball was handed to young Sam Marlow and, with Dinas struggling for seam options, it was up to the left arm spin of the skipper to take responsibility at the other end. The Monkswood opening batsmen struggled to get going and a couple of early wickets shared by Marlow and Storey left the visitors on 45 for two after 20 overs. Dinas then brought the veteran Colley and junior Luke Davidson into the attack to try and find the important wicket of Monkswood opener Travers, who had found his touch and was trying to pick up the scoring pace. He was still in the middle after 30 overs, but Dinas were picking up the odd wicket at the other end and the game was well poised with Monkswood at 95 for four. A change of wicketkeeper enabled Dinas to turn to the spin of Jack Thomas, but, despite some excellent bowling, the wicket still didn't come and damage limitation became the important factor as Travers moved past 50 in the 37th over. Some excellent work in the field from the whole Dinas side helped keep the scoreboard under control despite Travers taking three sixes and a four off Thomas in the 43rd over. An excellent last two overs from Marlow, snr, and a determined reply from Thomas saw him pick up two more wickets, including that of Travers on 97 off the last ball of the innings. Monkswood were 173 for eight after their allotted 45 overs.

In reply, openers Jack Thomas and Curtis Wingren, making his season debut, started positively. Despite the good start, the latter was given out caught behind controversially off his thigh pad for 16, bringing John Clogg to the crease. Clogg formed a solid partnership with Thomas, keeping Dinas up with the required rate. As the partnership started to take a hold on the game, a bowling change from Monkswood paid dividends, with Weller taking the wickets of Clogg, Thomas and Marlow to give the visitors a sniff of a chance with Dinas 66 for four off 25 overs. However, a cameo from Luke Davidson, scoring 27 from 15 balls, changed the pace of the game, and Dinas were back in control when he was caught in the 30th over. With Dinas having a strong middle order, the experienced Colley and Rob Moseley built on Davidson's knock to ensure the home side stayed in control and the pair took Dinas to within 15 of the target before Moseley, dropped three times, eventually fell for 28. Colley and captain Storey kept their heads to see the hosts to victory by four wickets, with four overs to spare.

The club extends its thanks to Vectos for their continued support.

Upcoming matches - Today (Thursday) U15 v Whitchurch (away, 6pm); Saturday, July 12, 1st XI v Llantwit Fardre (away), 2nd XI v Pontymister (Bryn y Don, 1pm) and 3rd XI v Cynon Valley (away); Sunday, July 13, 2nd XI v Rogerstone (Bryn y Don, 1pm); Monday, July 14, U11 v Cowbridge (away, 6pm); Tuesday, July 15, U13 v Penarth (home, 6pm); Wednesday, July 16, Midweek XI v Llantwit Major (away).