PENARTH picked up four wins last weekend as all their sides in competitive action won.

The first team won an exciting game against Pentyrch at the Athletic Ground to pick up 21 points.

Again, another solid start by the openers Tom Sidford (63) and Callum Carson (28) helped set the foundations for a big total.

Unfortunately, there was no acceleration and the team ended up not getting full batting points.

Pentyrch bowled well on a slow pitch and fielded brilliantly.

Richard Skone (52), Nick Morgan (22,) and Ali Bukhari (35) all batted well towards the end to ensure Penarth posted a reasonable total.

The home team were a little disappointed to not get full batting points and felt there were runs left out on the pitch.

The bowlers started well against the Pentyrch batsmen.

Ali Bukhari (2-37) got a wicket in the first over and also had a catch dropped in the slips.

Many bowlers were used in this innings to try and get the 10 wickets and there were impressive spells from Mark Thomas (1-25), Uzair Rehman (1-36) and Alex Langrish (0-21).

Richard Skone (3-31) and Tom Sidford (3-38) changed the outcome of the game though with some excellent end of the innings bowling.

They both bowled tightly and were able to pick up key wickets at vital moments of the Pentyrch chase.

When Pentyrch went for the total it seemed a much tighter game than it was and this allowed Penarth to take the chances when they came.

Penarth grabbed the last wicket in the final couple of balls by a smart catch from Sam Docherty.

All in all Penarth were relieved to bowl Pentyrch out to gain full bowling points and go 2nd in the table, 5 points behind Panteg.

Sunday

Penarth travelled east up the M4 to Sudbrook to play in the next round of the Welsh Cup. Penarth picked a strong side with only two changes from Saturday’s team.

Penarth lost the toss on a belting hot day and were asked to bowl. This seemed unfortunate at the time but when Tom Sidford and Ali Bukhari got to work it didn’t seem so bad. Tom Sidford bowled exceptionally well and ended up with figures of 8 overs, 6 maidens, 9 runs and 4 wickets. He had a chance to get the magical 5 wicket haul but when the ball was caught at mid-on the umpire gave a front foot no ball, this would have been Sidford’s first five-fer in a 1st team shirt for Penarth. Uzair Rehman, Richard Skone, Alex Langrish and Ali Bukhari all finished up with wickets as Sudbrook limped to 74 all out. At one point they were 8-6 and Penarth were about to re-write the record books.

In reply, the ever reliable Tom Sidford edged thinly to the wicket keeper in the first over but both Callum Carson (50 not out) and Richard Skone (20 not out) knocked off the runs in 11 overs. This was Callum Carson’s first 50 for the 1st team and he is starting to show why he has had a role at the top of the order.

This rounded off a superb weekend for the club after the misery of the covers. All 5 matches played on the weekend ended up with a win.

Next week Penarth 1st team travel to Tondu at Bryn Road. This is always a tough game for the seasiders but in current form they should feel confident to get a win.

Penarth second XI turned in their best performance of the season to defeat Pentyrch by 7 wickets.

Having been invited to bat first, Pentyrch made a solid enough start until Steve Hood edged Andy Graveson behind in the 9th over after which Penarth took total control thanks to an excellent performance from their seam attack. Pentyrch skipper Hassel briefly counter-attacked but young bowlers Tom Pascoe (2 for 40) and Morgan Humphries (4 for 26) ripped the heart out of the Pentyrch middle order with some quick, hostile and controlled bowling before young spinners Morgan Crimp and Jack Thomas wrapped the innings up as Pentyrch were all out for 175 in 40 overs.

Although the pitch retained a green tinge throughout openers Thomas and James Erasmus quickly dispelled any hopes Pentyrch may have had of getting back into the contest with their second successive century opening stand as Pentyrch’s lack of control was punished. Although both eventually fell for well-made half centuries the result was never in doubt and Penarth wrapped up victory by seven wickets with a huge 23 overs to spare.

Their next opponents will be Tondu at home this coming Saturday.

Penarth third XI travelled to Pontnewynydd and beat their first team by eight wickets.

Penarth won the toss and chose to field and skittled their opponents out for just 57 off 22 overs.

Peter Ingram starred with the ball taking 5-34 off nine overs with Steffan Crimp taking 3-5 off four and Mark Frost taking 2-11 off seven.

In response, Penarth lost just two wickets as they comfortably reached their target in less than 16 overs.

David Stevens top scored with 21.

Next week they host the Welsh Asians while the fourth XI travel to Pontymister and Cross Keys.