THE inaugural Penarth Cricket six-a-side contest was played in near perfect conditions this bank holiday Sunday as eight teams enjoyed a fine festival in the hot sunshine.

After a round robin group stage the semi-finals threw together some intriguing contests as two of the cricket club’s entrants faced each other with the more experienced Team Pronto coming out on top, while in the second semi-final the Penarth Hockey Club got the better of the interestingly titled Bunga Transport.

With the extraordinary events at Headingley demanding a brief unscheduled pause in play the final was eventually contested by the hockey club and the favourites Team Pronto with the hockey club coming out on top to lift the trophy after a fine day’s entertainment.

As with all such occasions, a massive debt of thanks is extended to all the volunteers who catered, organised and umpired as well as to the continued support of the club’s sponsors.

Meanwhile, at Barry, the ladies softball team won their second festival of their first summer in action with a clean sweep of wins on a day excellently organised by Barry Athletic CC. Featuring teams from Blackwood, Vale, Upper Rhondda and the hosts, a Penarth team featuring several debutants excelled to win most of their matches comfortably in what has been a memorable first summer of action.

The ladies softball scene has grown remarkably in a short space of time and prospective new players would be most welcome to get in touch with the club.