A RETURN to the Athletic Field saw another victory for Penarth CC’s 1st XI on Saturday. Tondu were the visitors on this occasion and the home side were keen to avenge the heavy defeat they suffered at Bryn Road earlier in the season.

With the weather being more like January than July on Friday, the ground was slightly damp when the sides arrived. With this in mind, it wasn’t surprising when Nick Morgan won the toss and elected to bowl first.

With opening bowler Ali Bukkhari still injured and unable to bowl at his full potential, the job of partnering Tom Sidford with new ball fell to Matthew Birch.

However, it was difficult to tell that it was not Birch’s usual place as he delivered a steady opening spell, and managed to dismiss R Jones, caught behind by Sam Docherty.

The evergreen Jon Bussey and Gavin Davies made slow progress and even when debutant Tom Pascoe found the latter’s outside edge, the chance of his deserved first 1st team wicket went begging as Docherty unfortunately dropped the chance.

Mark Thomas eventually got rid of Davies and Skone (1-22) removed Bussey and the home side were back in with a chance of restricting the Waterwheelers. Another wicket for Thomas (2-40), a wicket for Sidford (1-32) and a pair of run-outs by Rhys Morgan and Jon Davies meant that Tondu finished on 194-8.

The reply started badly again as Morgan (4) was caught behind early on.

Sidford (11) seemed to be steadying the ship with James Erasmus before falling in the same way. Davies joined Erasmus and the scoring seemed to grind to a relative halt.

At drinks, Penarth still needed 138 to win and that total seemed a long way away.

Erasmus (34) eventually fell and Ali (9) followed quickly after. Davies carried on his way, cleverly manoeuvring the field on his way to a much needed 53.

When he was caught, Richard Skone joined captain Morgan (28no) at the wicket and the only likely winners looked to be the home side.

With one over remaining, Skone (32) was dismissed and Penarth needed seven from six balls.

A few singles later, the target was four from three balls and Docherty (5no) calmly stepped across his stumps to paddle the ball for four through the vacant fine leg region, giving the home side the victory.

The seconds continued their difficult season by taking an under strength side to table-toppers Cardiff.

Batting first, a lot of the Bears’ hopes lay with openers Matthew Slugg and Peter Docherty.

Unfortunately, Slugg (11) departed early, and he was quickly followed by Steve Newman (5). Sam Trumper joined Docherty and they went ahead trying to build a competitive total. Docherty was caught 62 and Trumper for 44 and the Penarth innings depleted from there, finishing on 160 all out.

This was never going to be enough, and so it proved. Not even two wickets from captain Parkinson and a first senior wicket for Emma Davies could stem the tide as the home side reached their total in under 30 overs.

The thirds continued on their march towards promotion with a home win against Coedely. Bowling first, Dafydd Pritchard (3-42) as well as two wickets for Andy Graveson and Simon Wilkinson restricted Coedely to 154-8 in their 40 overs.

In reply, it was Conrad Adams (52no) with the support of Chris Baker (41) and the aforementioned Graveson (40no) that helped the home side cruise to victory with six overs to spare.

Unfortunately the 4ths couldn’t chase down Newbridge 3rd’s total of 185. Even 67 not out from Robert Crimp couldn’t steer the visitors home, falling 33 runs short.

Next week, the 1st XI visit Miskin Manor and the 2nd XI welcome Tondu to the Athletic Field. The thirds and fourths play Christchurch and Dinas Powys respectively.