DINAS Powys first XI hosted Monkswood firsts at Bryn y Don in a middle of the table clash on Saturday.

The monks won the toss and elected to bat and the openers immediately took a liking to skipper Lewis Clarke’s bowling as he was despatched for 14 in each of his opening two overs.

The visitors got to 50 in double quick time before Josh Clogg and Matt Todd-Bennett stemmed the tide and took vital wickets.

After the opening salvo, Monkswood were tied down by some decent bowing.

Shots were fired and as a result wickets fell regularly.

Only some indifferent catching let the hosts down, although two outstanding efforts were taken, a one handed behind his back effort from Jason Harries and a diving two handed snatch from Jack Preston after missing a dolly the ball before. Jack Houghton wrapped up the innings leaving Monkswood on a below par 164 all out in 42.3 overs.

Alex Vowles was the pick of bowlers with 4-29, with 3-15 for Houghton and 2-21 for Todd-Bennett.

After tea, the Dinas players sat back and watched a masterclass from opener Gordon Hannah who dominated the Monkswood attack, and Lloyd DiMauro who ably supported Hannah’s stroke play.

Hannah went to his 100 (102 not out) with a four to win the game by 10 wickets with DiMauro unbeaten on 26 at the other end in just 26.2 overs.

The seconds travelled to Radyr and faced a tough day. Batting first the villagers found it slow going and were unable to up the pace throughout their innings.

They finished on 149-5 with Awais Choudhary carrying his bat for 63, and contributions from Dani Zaman (21) and Ali Choudhary (20).

None of the other Dinas batters unduly troubled the scorers.

The total never looked like being enough, and indeed Radyr won by seven wickets, although took their time, needing 41 overs to reach their target.

There was a wicket apiece for Zaman (1-6,), Ali (1-20) and Olly Coughtrey (1-50)

The thirds game v Abercynon was called off due to a rugby festival decimating opposition’s player availability.

On Sunday, a friendly XI entertained Lisvane on Dinas Powys Common.

Dinas batted first, and opener Jack Houghton was the mainstay of the Dinas innings of 254-3 making a fantastic unbeaten 131, well supported by Alex Vowles (50).

It was Houghton’s second Sunday ton in two weeks, having reached three figures against Barry West End last month.

However, Lisvane managed to knock the runs off for the loss of six wickets.

A properly enjoyable social Sunday match.

This Saturday, July 8, the firsts play Sully Centurions (home - Bryn y Don 1pm), the second take on Rogerstone (away)

and the thirds play Sully Spartans (away).