Dinas Powys CC 3rds lose to Monkswood - but at least they beat the weather! (From Penarth Times)

Dinas Powys CC 3rds lose to Monkswood - but at least they beat the weather!

8:30am Thursday 28th June 2012 in Sport

A THIRD consecutive washout for Dinas Powys CC 1sts and 2nds and a no-show from the 3rds opposition meant another Saturday without league cricket.

This was a double header weekend for the 3rds though and, in spite of further heavy overnight rain, the match away at Monkswood went ahead on Sunday on a very wet ground, but with both teams eager to play.

Skipper Rob Tucker lost the toss and Dinas had first dibs with snorkel and flippers. After a steady start, 21-0 off 5 quickly became 21-2 of 5.2 as Colley lost Hiscocks and Bradley to consecutive balls. Colley fell soon after leaving Dinas reeling at 22-3.

After a period of consolidation skipper Rob Tucker fell for 25 dancing down the wicket. At drinks it was 66-5.

A solid partnership between Piddock and Storey saw the score to 118 before they fell in successive deliveries. Some nerveless hitting by Red Todd-Bennett and Will Hume at the end saw the Village XI finish on 135 off their 45 overs.

With the sun now shining strongly Monkswood started their reply sedately before Nathan Piddock with 3 wickets and Will Hume reduced them to 24-4.

Once the bowling changed though, the Monkswood batters found the slower spin more to their liking, reaching 63 for no further loss at drinks.

Despite winkling out four more wickets, Dinas just didn't quite have enough in the bowling department, and the Monkswood batsmen finally finished the job in the 43rd over to win by two wickets.

Despite the loss it was pleasing to play cricket, doubly so in what eventually turned out to be a glorious afternoon in the Gwent countryside.

On a different note, the Club was sad to hear of the recent death of former player Peter Arthur. Peter captained the Club in 1966 and was an aggressive opening bat. Condolences go to his family.

The club was also sorry to hear that long serving ex Club Treasurer Bill Keeling is in hospital after a fall. Best wishes to Bill for a swift recovery. He opened the batting for the Village well into his sixties, having joined the Club in the late 1950s - so he’s made of stern stuff!

Congratulations to Bill’s wife Rosa on recently achieving her personal century. Bill hit many scores of 50 plus for the Club but never quite managed three figures himself, so well done Rosa on getting there first!