By Gareth Evans

DINAS Powys Cricket Club continued their fine start to the season with a fifth win in a row away at Radyr Thirds.

On a slow wicket that made scoring runs something of a challenge, Dinas worked hard to set a competitive 197-9 off their allocation of 40 overs.

A watchful innings from the normally free-flowing Gordon Hannah (47) was exactly what was required first up, allowing Charles Winfrew to come in and play his natural game in the middle order.

Another fine half-century from Winfrew (53), off just 46 balls, gave the Dinas innings a welcome shot in the arm, while young Olly Hurley chipped in with a useful 21.

A healthy dose of extras (32) boosted the Villagers’ total to what was probably just above par going into the second dig.

In response, another misery spell from fresh-faced Ken Barlow (8-1-20-0) and the more gregarious Alex Vowles (5-2-14-0) kept the Radyr top order firmly under the cosh, which meant a flurry of wickets to those who followed.

From 72-0, Radyr were quickly reduced to 86-5, owing in part to some loose shots, a dipping full toss and two slightly fortuitous run outs.

A debut First XI league wicket for Will Palmer made amends for a couple of wayward deliveries, leaving the ever-reliable Gihan Fernando (6-0-23-3) to put on the squeeze towards the end.

Radyr, paying the price for an over-cautious first 20, eventually closed on 168-8 off their 40 overs to leave Dinas victorious by 29 runs.

The only unbeaten team in the division, the First XI sit well-placed for a tilt at promotion from Division 4 of the South East Wales Cricket League this season.

With the Second XI benefitting from Ton Pentre’s early concession, a much-strengthened Dinas Powys Thirds travelled to Pontymister & Cross Keys full of optimism that a powerful batting line-up could do the business.

Lewis Clarke, dropping down the league sides faster than Wales’ exit from the Euros, hit 64 against nine men at the top of the order, while Lloyd DiMauro again started – but couldn’t finish en route to 23.

Niles Wilton (38) continued his good form in the middle order, while Upinder Singh and Rhys Lloyd both made useful contributions before the close.

Dinas, batting against nine men, finished on 238-8 off their 40, with ‘Donut’ Todd-Bennett (2no) succeeding in not getting out for the first time in a long time.

Defending 6 an over against nine men should have been plain sailing, but nothing is ever as easy as it might seem and the super-strength Thirds conspired to lose a game they should have won nine times out of 10.

As it was, the visitors did win, albeit by the smallest of margins – just 19 runs coming between the two sides; another day, and a full-strength opposition, and things could have been a whole lot different.

A tidy spell from Andy Hurley (8-0-34-1) and wickets for Rhys Bradley (2-38) and skipper Gareth Storey (2-38) ultimately proved decisive on a difficult day in testing conditions.

A fourth win of the season for the battling Thirds leaves them fifth in the league and closer to promotion than the dreaded trapdoor into Division 11.

This weekend’s fixtures see Dinas Powys First XI host Whitchurch-Heath Seconds; Llantwit Fardre Firsts host DPCC Seconds; and the Thirds travel to Bridgend for a game against their Fourths.