Dinas Powys CC slip to second successive defeat (From Penarth Times)

Dinas Powys CC slip to second successive defeat

7:40am Thursday 2nd July 2009

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DESPITE another hearty performance away from home, Dinas Powys Cricket Club fell to their second defeat in succession.

The depleted First XI travelled to Ferndale to meet bottom of the table Christchurch.

On a dry track offering something for the bowlers, Dinas took the new ball and were unlucky to miss the edge on several occasions.

Stand-in skipper Steve Bussell was probing as ever, and Mike Lowe typically frugal. But wickets were difficult to come by and the hosts paced their innings perfectly to a healthy 224 for 8 from 45 overs.

Bussell battled through several difficult spells for an eventual 3 for 58 from 10, while Lowe and Dani Zaman both returned 2 for 36.

The general consensus was that an uncharacteristic display in the field leaked too many soft runs, but special mention must be made of 15-year-old Dan Pearce, who stood in at the 11th hour to put many of his elders to shame.

Young Pearce was exemplary in the field, with only the bravest Christchurch batsman taking on his surprisingly potent arm.

In reply, Dinas Powys got off to a nightmare start, losing 3 of its top order for 31. But the reliable Ian Southwell (54) restored hope to the Villagers’ challenge, with an 84-run partnership with Jason Harries.

Harries, called in for his first appearance this season, batted bravely on one leg after an earlier fall at point.

Using the tired legs of an unnamed runner, Harries amassed an unbeaten 75 which nearly turned the game.

At 145 for 6 off 35 overs, Christchurch were counting the points of their first win of the season, but Miles Wilton had other ideas.

The team twin smashed a quick-fire 32 before sacrificing his wicket to a late run out. Eventually though, the required rate became too big an ask and the villagers fell agonisingly short on 215 for 7. Nevertheless, a disappointing 9 run defeat all but ends a title challenge.

At Bryn-y-Don, an under strength Dinas Powys Second XI, suffering from a shortage in the club hierarchy, battled admirably against a strong Abertillery.

Batting first, the villagers amassed 195 for 6 off their allotted overs. An opening partnership of 80 between Lewis Clarke (37) and Andy Smith (42) set the platform for a big total, but the following 23 overs were not as convincing.

A welcome return for Andy Ford (31) was a sight for sore eyes, but runs were few and far between down the order - only John Lee and Mike O’Donovan running into the teens.

A competent, if not outstanding score, was always going to be difficult to defend, but Dinas Powys took their visitors all the way.

To the hosts’ credit, Abertillery needed all 45 overs to knock off the runs for the loss of 2 wickets.

Highlights in the bowling department fell to Clarke, 10-3-27-1, media man Richard Morgan, 10-3-38-0 and John Lovell, who spared onlookers a spell of medium-slow by running out with one stump to aim at.

The under-13s Connor Hetherton and Josh Clogg both performed superbly, and each bowled tidy spells on their league bows.

A crucial home tie with Pontymister awaits a Second Team in desperate need of a win.

Meanwhile, Dinas Powys Sunday XI made the trip down to Caldicot to take on Premiership side Sudbrook. After losing the toss, the villagers began in the field and found it hard going, as the First Team opening batsmen took a fancy to the skipper’s bowling.

The hosts put on 83 inside the first 11 overs before Connor Hetherton made the break-through, dismissing Spencer for 42, Mike Lowe taking the catch. Hetherton (2-37) got himself another shortly after, with part-time juggler Simon Wilton clinging on at gully.

Dani Zaman (2-33) was brought on to control the flow of runs, before the star of the DPCC bowling attack, Matthew Todd Bennett, entered the fray. In only his second over, Bennett removed the opposition’s top scorer for 68, with Lowe in the right place at the right time.

The breakthrough stirred confidence in the 13-year-old, who bowled well beyond his years, bamboozling the Sudbrook middle order with his deceptive change of pace.

A sublime caught and bowled topped off a brilliant afternoon for the youngster, who finished with excellent figures of 7-2-19-3.

Sudbrook eventually finished on 228-7, and after a glorious tea, Powys set about the run chase.

In-form Miles Wilton scored 20 at the top of the order, before a mini collapse saw the Villagers slump to 76-5.

A well-structured partnership of 33 between Hetherton and Matthew Hunt restored respectability to the score, before the former departed for 16. Hunt however, was by his own admission "finding some form" when dismissed playing back to a very slow one for 31.

With the score 112-7, captain Lowe hit a boundary-strewn 40 to boost the final total to 159. A defeat by 69 runs was irrelevant as all involved enjoyed a wonderful day out in the sun.

The club is proud to support Ty Hafan children’s hospice.

Visit www.dinaspowyscc.co.uk for upcoming fixtures and events.

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