WITH safety guaranteed (barring any deviation in normal promotion and relegation matters), Dinas Powys first XI entertained Vale CC at a very soggy Bryn y Don.

Having lost the toss and been put in, Dinas progressed steadily to 94 before Gordon Hannah skied one and a great catch was taken.

Matt Todd-Bennet followed soon after, recipient of a dubious caught behind decision.

After with a further wicket lost on 124, Ryan Todd (27) and Stuart Jones (71) played well, the latter particularly aggressive pushing Dinas towards 200.

Once Todd departed, wickets fell quickly as Dinas pushed on, eventually finishing on 228-8, losing their last wicket rather unnecessarily to a run out, handing the visitors another point.

After the usual fine tea, Vale set about their task well, despite the loss of an early wicket, punishing any bad balls.

Although the run rate kept climbing after some tight spells by Jones and Alex Vowles, Vale kept wickets in hand.

Crucially the Dinas bowlers served up too many four balls, and an excellent 84 from Withers, able supported by Davies and then McCutcheon saw Vale bogie needing nine off the last over.

In the end it came down to the last ball with three needed, and a maximum saw Vale home by a whisker.

Dinas seconds made the short trip to the island to take on Barry Athletic, but probably wish they hadn't bothered. Put into bat on a damp one, Barry made quick and regular inroads into the Villagers batting.

At 75-5 off 27 things were looking pretty dire, but an unbeaten 41 from the experienced Andy Smith and 20 from skipper Andy Ford saw the visitors to 130-6 in a shortened 40 over game.

In reply Barry saw off the target pretty easily, with Ashley Baker's 56 not out the mainstay as they romped home by six wickets with 10 overs to spare, Upinder Singh taking two of the four wickets to fall.

The third XI entertained Lisvane fourths on the Common. Reuben Mitchell's 6-24 was the pick of the bowling, and the best return for a bowler in the club this year for the villagers as they kept Lisvane to 143-7 off their 40 overs on a tricky pitch. In reply, Dinas scrambled to 123-8 in a disappointing loss, but are still in with a shout of promotion.

Next Saturday, August 26, the first are away v Barry Wanderers, the seconds at home v Cardiff Gymkhana (Bryn y Don 1pm) and the thirds away v St Fagans III