ON SATURDAY Dinas Powys Cricket Club's 1st XI travelled the short distance across Cardiff to play second in the table and unbeaten Whitchurch Heath.

With the unfortunate loss of former captain Nathan Piddock, Lewis Clarke took the helm for his first game in charge. Whitchurch won the toss on a tacky wicket and inserted the villagers.

Matt Todd-Bennett and Gordon Hannah opened the batting against an excellent opening pair of bowlers. The gloss was barely off the ball when both were lost with the score on 19 and with Curtis Wingren following for a rapid zero the villagers were rocking on 20-3. In form Asad Rizvi and Lewis Clarke rebuilt and took the score to 57 before Clarke was caught for 14.

Jeff Mitchell and Rizvi then started to counter with Mitchell making a well played 24. Another collapse occurred when Bloxham, Clogg, and Gihan "G" Fernando all came and went barely troubling the scorers.

Meanwhile Rizvi was going about his business combining excellent defence and brilliant attacking quality. Saaj Ali then came to the crease and in quick time both put on an excellent 50 partnership ensuring Dinas finished on an above par 174-9 off the 45. Rizvi ended on a brilliant undefeated 83 with Ali making 13.

After the break Dinas required early inroads into a solid Heath batting lineup. Openers Clarke and Bloxham took a wicket apiece to set the platform at 27-2. But it was the introduction of Alex Vowles and "G" Fernando who tightened the screw bowling maiden after maiden in tandem to complete fine combined figures of 18-8-21-3.

Whitchurch were struggling by now at 53-5 with the run rate climbing all the time. The wily old fox that is Rivzi bowled brilliantly for 2-11 off eight and some great boundary catches from Jeff Mitchell, Matt Bloxham and Josh Clogg effectively ended the contest.

Saaj Ali with some excellent pace wrapped thing up with three wickets of his own completing an excellent all round performance as Whitchurch were knocked over for 100. Thanks to Ken Hannah for scoring with accuracy.

The 2nds entertained Whitchurch Heath’s 2nds in the reverse fixture at Bryn y Don. Batting first the villagers made 223-4 with 50’s for skipper Jason Harries (55) and Lloyd DiMauro (63), ably supported by Sam Marlow (29) and Kyle Hughes who made 25 not out.

In reply, Dinas were made to work for their wickets as first Huw Owen (36) and then Michel Bishop (44) threatened to take the game close. However, the villagers stuck at it, and despite a late order cameo from Heath youngster Adam White who made a brisk 37, Heath were bowled out for 191, 33 short of victory. Two wickets apiece for Lloyd, Marlow and Singh.

The 3rds entertained Radyr 4ths on a very green wicket at the common. Radyr won the toss and elected to bowl which seemed a sensible decision.

Dinas got off to an excellent start with veterans Colley and Tucker getting on top of the bowling, taking the villagers to 83/0 at drinks. Tucker then started to attack with a flurry of boundaries, saving his legs before being bowled for 72 with a jaffa from Morris.

With Williams joining Colley at the crease both batsman looked to build on the early platform and did so with success. Colley bringing his ton up in the 38th over before Williams departing for 47 just two balls from the end of the innings as he looked to find the ropes for his half century. Dinas finished on a very useful 250/2 from their 40 overs with Colley carrying his bat for 104.

After the interval Dinas started well with the tight swing bowling of Reuben Mitchell and John Clogg creating pressure that led to an early run out with a further wicket for Clogg who finished with 1-12 from his nine overs.

Radyr's number four, Morris was starting to look dangerous before Dinas' first change Richard Bean removed his off stump, bringing up his first wicket for the club. Bean and skipper Storey created more pressure either side of drinks, beating the bat regularly but were only able to pick up one further wicket through a rare catch behind from Tucker off Storey.

This led to Storey making a number of bowling changes in the final 10 overs giving many of his team their first overs of the season as Dinas looked for maximum bowling points. Despite a number of catchable opportunities Dinas failed to pick up important wickets of the Radyr lower order but still ran out winners by 96 runs. Radyr finishing on 154/6 from their allotted 40 overs.

Bank Holiday Monday saw the second 2nds game of the weekend as they entertained Panther 2nds, a match re-arranged because Bryn y Don isn’t available for cricket in September.

Ponthir batted first, and got off to a flier. Although Dinas reigned things back, they couldn’t find a breakthrough until Ponthir had 100 on the board. Ponthir’s skipper George Davies made an excellent ton but was out shortly after as the villagers slowly applied the brakes, with Vowles in particular impressive again. The visitors eventually made 230-3 after at one stage looking like they might reach 270.

In reply, University returnees Jack Preston and Matt Todd-Bennett both showed early season rustiness as they went cheaply. However, DiMauro 62, Wingmen with a fine 55 and Harries steadied the ship before the cool young heads of Josh Clogg and Connor Hetherton (38*) got the villagers over the line, the latter hitting two maximums to seal a three wicket win with overs to spare.

On Sunday, the villagers beat social team the Furry Chequebooks in an annual challenge match on the common.

Next week’s League matches:

Firsts away at Vale CC

Seconds home v Sully Centurions II (Bryn y Don 12.30pm)

Thirds away v Christchurch