Sai Kamuni's century was the centrepiece of an excellent week for Penarth's 1st XI, who completed a domestic double with a comprehensive 76-run win over Pontarddulais at the Main Square on Saturday - a result that has lifted them to second in Premier Division One.
Penarth won the toss and elected to bat. Adeeb Ilyas (24 from 20) and Kamuni put on a steady 30 for the first wicket before Ilyas was caught off Sam Jardine in the fifth over.
From there, the day belonged to the wicket-keeper. In partnership with Michael Rameshkumar, Kamuni built a stand of 160 for the second wicket, scoring at well over a run a ball. By the time he was caught at the back end of the 35th over, he had made 109 from just 94 deliveries, with eleven fours and two sixes - the foundation of everything that followed.
Rameshkumar, the perfect foil, anchored the innings for 51 from 100 balls before falling to Oliver Rogers. With the platform laid, Penarth's middle order pushed on: Muhammad Tayyab Nasir struck 25 from 18, Greg Cross 42 from 36, and the explosive Aditya Singh 28 from just 17 balls at the death. Sam Jardine (3 for 31) and Theo Rogers (3 for 32) shared the bowling honours for the visitors as Penarth closed on 293 for 8 from their 50 overs.
In reply, Pontarddulais batted out their 50 overs but lost wickets at regular intervals and finished on 217 for 8, falling 76 short. Singh, having starred with the bat, also took 3 for 20 from his seven overs; Mark Thomas led from the front with 3 for 34, and Adeeb Ilyas chipped in with 2 for 28. Carl Roberts's gritty 44 and a brisk 32 not out from Theo Rogers were the pick of the visitors' batting, but Penarth's grip was never released.
Penarth CC 1st XI 293-8
Pontarddulais CC 1st XI 217-8
The result is Penarth's third win in five league games this season and lifts them from fourth to second in Premier Division One on 69 points, just five behind leaders Newport CC, Wales.
The 1st XI had already secured the first half of their week on Thursday evening, hosting Llandaff at the Main Square in a Twenty20 fixture. Penarth made 152 for 7 from their 20 overs, and Llandaff could only muster 105 for 7 in reply — a comfortable 47-run win.
Penarth CC 1st XI 152-7
Llandaff CC 1st XI 105-7
There was joy too for the 5th XI, whose 10-wicket win over Monmouth CC 3rd XI at the Athletic Ground belonged to Darryn Lewis. Monmouth, having won the toss and chosen to bat, were dismissed for 178 in 39 overs, with Talhah Sadique (3 for 21 from six overs), Mark Frost (2 for 22 from eight, two maidens), Julien Humphreys (2 for 27) and Nathaniel Fox (2 for 37) sharing the wickets; Paul Mallen's 96 was the lone act of resistance from the visitors.
Then it was over to Lewis. A week on from his 73 from 54 balls at Heath Park, the opener went one better with an unbeaten 106 from 78 balls - 21 fours and a six - and shared an unbroken stand of 181 with Peter Docherty (61 not out, with 11 fours) to seal the chase in just 23.4 overs. The 5th XI move up to 53 points and sit sixth in Division 15; Cardiff CC 5th XI remain unbeaten at the top.
Monmouth CC 3rd XI 178 all out
Penarth CC 5th XI 181-0
The wins were balanced by reverses for the 2nd, 3rd and 4th XIs.
At Chepstow, the 2nd XI ran into a side at the very top of their form. The hosts piled up 361 for 4 from their 45 overs and then bowled Penarth out for 131 inside 31 overs, sealing a 230-run victory. The 2nd XI slip to fifth in Division 03 on 59 points; Creigiau remain clear at the top with 87.
Chepstow CC 2nd XI 361-4
Penarth CC 2nd XI 131 all out
At the Main Square's Pitch 2, the 3rd XI's afternoon was no kinder, beaten by 176 runs by a powerful Vale CC 2nd XI side that posted 324 for 4 from their 40 overs. Penarth could only manage 148 all out in reply. The 3rd XI slip to eighth in Division 06 on 50 points.
Penarth CC 3rd XI 148 all out
Vale CC 2nd XI 324-4
Away at Bridgend Town, the 4th XI's strong start to the season met its first real reverse. Penarth made 182 all out from their full 40 overs, but Bridgend Town's 3rd XI made light work of the chase, reaching 187 for 3 in 28.3 overs for a seven-wicket win. The 4th XI slip a place to third in Division 10 on 71 points, with Pencoed and Llandaff 4th XI ahead.
Bridgend Town CC 3rd XI 187-3
Penarth CC 4th XI 182 all out
The Midweek XI also tasted defeat on Wednesday evening, beaten by seven wickets at Vale's Corntown ground. Penarth managed only 77 all out, and Vale knocked the runs off in fewer than ten overs.
Vale CC Midweek XI 81-3
Penarth CC Midweek XI 77 all out
Looking ahead, the Midweek XI host Cardiff Tuskers at the Main Square on Wednesday evening (6pm). The 1st XI then travel to Abergavenny on Saturday with second place to defend, while the 2nd XI host Blackwood Town at the Main Square, the 3rd XI head to Hopkinstown and the 4th XI host Abergavenny 3rd XI on Pitch 2.
With the new outdoor benches in and another week of summer in the forecast, the Athletic Ground is the place to spend a Saturday afternoon - bar open, food vans on site, supporters welcome.
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