AS EVER an entertaining 40 over Match between Dinas Powys Tennis Club and Cricket Club was played before a group of lively supporters from both camps last Sunday.

The annual event that has a "T20" feel to it with "suitable" music throughout is played in a friendly yet competitive spirit between the neighbouring clubs from The Common, both sides having a balance of experience, youth and ability.

Given that several players have a foot in both camps, selection was always to be a battle, the tennis club proving their "pull" this year under the captaincy of youngsters Jack "JT" Thomas and Alex "Tex" Vowles.

Fielding a few talented Cricket 1st XI players and Nathan Piddock put in to bat first, the tennis club produced a superb and very stylish 318 off their 40 overs (not recording the last five overs as well).

From the first over the intent of the tennis lads was clear, attack the high quality bowling line up of Gareth Storey, Josh Clogg, Rhys Lloyd, Mavis Wilton and Lloyd DiMauro. Notable contributions with the bat from Stuart "Tub" Jones (prised out of retirement) being trapped just short of a ton off a ridiculously low number of balls, Jason Evans (firmly putting himself in the shop window) and Jason Harries both producing 50's all supported by the enthusiastic and effective batting of Messrs Piddock, Walbyoff, Clack, Vowles, Arcos and Carter.

Exhibition stuff and a few dented cars in the car park and elsewhere around the Village. One or two dropped catches needless to say helping the tennis club on the way. "Safe hands" not being an expression that should be heard on The Common for a while.

Fuelled by a Ruth Clogg Tea, the tennis lads took the field knowing that anything could happen on the track on The Common, apart from that is, losing a game where 318 had been posted against Dinas Powys CC. They were right, as wickets fell left, right and centre as everyone got a chance to bowl and chip in to the mixed ability attack.

Things might have been different if Connor Hetherton and Lloyd DiMauro had stayed at the crease a little longer as they plundered boundary after boundary against Piddock in particular.

Gareth Storey stood tall for the cricket side gaining his first ever 50 in 47 years of trying in a gutsy display at the crease, nonchalantly flicking fours and the occasional six off some of the more experienced tennis bowlers.

It was not to be for Storey and his side as the wickets ran out and the sun set on an excellent natured, fun exhibition game that was enjoyed by all, a great advert for The Village and its shared sporting communities.

Men's tennis club captain Paul Follon presented the Common United Neighbours Cup to the winning match captains. The Trophy being retained, but will no doubt be under threat again next year as the two sides shake hands, share players and a pint or two after.

The tennis club would like to thank DPCC for once again generously hosting the match and providing as ever a warm welcome on The Common and in the clubhouse.