THERE was no shortage of runs this week as Penarth’s cricketers reclaimed second spot in the Premier League division 2 with a crushing victory over Newbridge.

Scott Matthews led the way with a fine century as Penarth compiled a huge 337 for 6, before another efficient display with the ball wrapped up a 148 run winning margin.

Matthews and fellow opener Ryan Sylvester made their intentions clear as Penarth got off to a flying start.

With the Newbridge bowlers struggling to offer any control the openers raced past three figures together and it looked as though Sylvester would be first to the personal milestone before, with the score at 163, he was bowled by James Morgan for 84.

Jack Thomas was his usual busy self in making a quickfire 30 before Nick Morgan joined Matthews at 230 for 2. While Matthews moved serenely to his hundred Morgan set about dominating and effectively put the game beyond Newbridge with some sweet timing in a blistering 54 from just 27 balls.

Matthews was eventually dismissed for a superb 122 and while other wickets fell in pursuit of quick runs Penarth closed at a mammoth 337 for 6.

The Newbridge reply got off to the worst possible start when Sylvester bowled Travis Morgan without scoring and although his fellow opener James Morgan made a brisk 51, and Will Davey 62, their team were always well behind the required rate.

Nathan Piddock picked up the wicket of Thomas Watkins on his return to the team before Penarth turned to their spinners.

Mark Thomas and Richard Skone each finished with a brace of wickets and Will Skone another before Sylvester finished a fine day’s work in returning with two more wickets.

Although Joel Holley managed to frustrate Penarth with 33 not out the win was wrapped up with Newbridge 189 all out. The club would like to thank James Roach for the match-ball sponsorship.

The seconds made it a club double over Newbridge with a victory that takes them top of the 2nd XI competition.

Openers James Erasmus, 62, and Neil Stephens, 30, set their team a fine platform at a boiling Welfare Ground. After wickets fell in the middle of the innings it took a highly mature innings from 15 year old Lewis Ingram to steady things for Penarth and, with Ryan Herbert, move the team towards a strong total.

Herbert made 25 and Tim Miller and Andrew Graveson added further impetus before Ingram moved to his first second team 50, and the team to maximum batting points, in the final over.

Although Graveson bagged a couple of early wickets it looked as though Newbridge were well in the hunt with a strong fourth wicket stand taking them to 140 for 3. Some excellent bowling from another youngster, Aaron Noormohamed, bagged him a couple of wickets on debut and Ingram picked another two before Stephens claimed 3 for 13 as Penarth wrapped the tail up quickly and claimed victory by 45 runs.

It was a bad day at the office for a much-changed 3rd team as they were beaten by local rivals Dinas Powys. The villagers won toss and batted first in hot conditions that seemed to affect both the bowlers and fielders as Dinas posted 209-6 in their 40 overs. Penarth’s reply started badly and never recovered, bowled out for 99, to confirm defeat by 110 runs. Penarth currently sit just outside the promotion places in Division 7 with all to play for over the next 8 games.

In contrast, there was a great comeback win for the fourths away at Machen. Asked to bowl first with a depleted attack, Penarth struggled in the hot conditions.

Eight bowlers were used in all with Rhys Mottram 4-68 the most successful as Machen posted 267. The Penarth openers got off to a quick start and eventually put on a team record 226 for the first wicket as Penarth won with 3 overs to spare with Dai Carter 141 not out.

His opening partner Ian Summerfield scored 78 as Penarth maintained their 100% record and remain top of the league.

Sporting their David Baker and Co. sponsored coloured kit Penarth visited Port Talbot for T20 action on Sunday with a place at the Sophia Gardens finals day at stake.

Playing Ynysygerwn in their first match captain Tom Sidford blazed his way to a remarkable 135 and Ali Bukkhari 59 as Penarth posted a massive 240 for 3. It looked a score certain to bring victory but Penarth had reckoned without Alex McCormack who matched Sidford’s exploits with his own century and along with rapid contributions from Nicholas Maggs and Joshua Griffiths helped his team to pass the total with more than an over to spare.

Perhaps feeling the affects from their first outing Penarth never got going against the host team and were bundled out for just 77. Despite some excellent bowling from Bukkhari and Richard Skone early on Port Talbot steadily moved to their target for the loss of just 2 wickets to claim the place at finals day.

This week Penarth host league leaders Swansea in what promises to be a memorable encounter at the Athletic Field. The seconds visit St Fagans and the thirds Cefn Fforest.