Victory for Dinas Powys CC 2nds in must-win encounter (From Penarth Times)

Victory for Dinas Powys CC 2nds in must-win encounter

7:40am Thursday 9th July 2009

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DINAS Powys Cricket Club First XI bowed to the elements last Saturday, but the club’s Second team fared rather better.

Bryn-y-Don survived all mother nature had to throw at it, and the Villagers managed to play out against Pontymister.

In a must-win encounter, Dinas won the toss and elected to field on an uncharacteristically green wicket.

Second Team skipper Tariq Ali marshalled his troops well from behind the stumps and Dinas got off to a flyer, taking wickets at regular intervals.

But from 60 for 6, Pontymister rallied to 153 all out in just short of 40 overs. A few lusty blows down the order gave Dinas’ strong batting line-up something to think about.

Pick of the bowlers was Mike Lowe, dropping from the First to Second XIs to make a mark with the bat, and taking 9-2-18-3.

Following close behind was new-ball partner Richard Morgan, who landed his first wickets for the club with a deserved 9-2-26-3. A Steve Harmison sigh of relief echoed around Southra with his initial breakthrough.

Meanwhile, Ian Coughtrey accounted for many of the middle overs with another fine spell of off-spin, which yielded 2 for 35.

In response, and with the returning First teamers in support, the Dinas top-order failed to spark and coach Andy Smith talked himself into chasing a wide one. On-form Lewis Clarke followed shortly after, pulling tamely to square leg.

At 30 for 3 the Villagers’ fate looked uncertain, though 13-year-old Matthew Todd-Bennett steadied the ship with a well-crafted 12.

The effervescent Geoff Colley was later joined by skipper Ali, and the pair took the score from a perilous 53 for 4, right the way to the target.

A mixture of poor bowling and fine stroke play took the Villagers to 155 for 4 at a canter.

A chanceless ton partnership was the difference between the two sides, who now separate significantly in a tight First Division.

Colley finished on 52 not out, and Ali was a lusty 39 not out.

There was even congratulations from "the fan" Gordon Lowe, seen perched on his favourite bench with a grin on his face.

With just 14 overs completed in the First XI’s fixture away at Abercarn, many were looking forward to the customary Sunday battle against Creigiau.

Deadly Derek Lewis brought a young side to the Common, to learn a thing or two about horse hooves and hills, and an enjoyable day was had by all – especially Mavis.

Bowling first, the villagers were made to toil by the opposition opening pair, and waited until the score was 69 for 0 before their initial breakthrough.

But it only needed one, and the Creigiau innings folded like Michael Vaughan’s career to 102 all out.

Dani Zaman picked up a friendly five-for (5-15), while Simon Wilton and Marc Wakenham also impressed.

A rare three over spell from Matthew Hunt was one for the connoisseur, but the great man was some way off his miserly off-stump line with four wides and a no-ball.

In response, Miles Wilton added 31 to his growing tally of runs and Gareth Marks played nicely for 20.

The pair batted for 13 overs for an opening stand of 59, which gave the villagers a platform from which to build.

But enter specialist number three Simon Wilton, who hit three boundaries in a career-best 20 not out. Brother Wilton looked at ease in a chanceless innings lasting (what felt like) several hours.

As wickets tumbled about him, Wilton dug in to hit the winning runs with all-rounder Hunt in tow – Dinas victorious by 6 wickets.

The weekend’s Dinas drama was left to the U15s at Penarth’s Recreation Ground.

Having been bowled out for a below-par 66, with skipper Dan Pearce (14) the only batsman to trouble the opposition attack, some may have sensed the game slipping away.

But Josh Clogg weaved a moment of magic with an unprecedented junior hat-trick. Three yorkers accounted for a selection of stumps en route to superb figures of 5 for 8 from 4 overs.

The young seamer is improving with every spell he bowls and is a force to be reckoned with in the older age-group. In the end, the junior Villagers fell just short, and lost by 2 wickets. Congratulations to all who featured in a thrilling match.

As the Ashes take centre stage, Dinas Powys Cricket Club look set to lose a couple more bodies in a season of ups and downs.

The First Team, rocked by news of Suggy’s unavailability but buoyed by J.Guy’s, welcome high-flying Pontnewynydd to Bryn-y-Don.

Dinas Powys Second XI face an even bigger ask away at table-toppers Lisvane.

Meanwhile, Villagers are welcome to the Common to support the club’s promising U15s tonight (Thursday, July 9) against Welsh Asians. The match starts at 6pm, visit www.dinaspowyscc.co.uk for details.

The club is proud to support Ty Hafan Children’s Hospice.

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