DINAS Powys Cricket Club returned to winning ways last weekend after a hard-fought victory in Bridgend.

First team debutants Ollie Coughtrey, Matthew Todd-Bennett and Dinesh Duddla all shone in the side’s narrow 12-run win over Great Western at Newbridge Fields.

Batting first, the Villagers racked up 206 for 5 – and with it their fourth consecutive maximum bonus points haul.

Gordon Hannah (49) and Andy Ford (25) set the platform at the top of the order, with Buckets Bennett (29) and an imperious Geoff Colley, who hit 54 off 35, lifting the tempo late on.

After the break, Dinas Powys took early wickets to leave the Railwaymen reeling, before a late recovery threatened an unlikely victory against the odds.

But Coughtrey (2 for 42) and Steve Bussell (2 for 33) kept the opposition in track for Gareth Marks to (3 for 36) to claim the plaudits and Western’s best batsman, Kevin Williams.

A good game played in fine spirit ended on the side of the Villagers, who have now won two of their four league matches this season.

Elsewhere, Lewis Clarke’s Second XI came unstuck at home to a determined Abercynon.

Several dropped catches didn't help as the visitors racked up 230 for 6, but that was still gettable on a fine Bryn-y-Don track.

Most batters got started and then got out but no big partnerships saw the Villagers finally succumb for 188, Dani Zaman top scoring with 53. Lewis Clarke was pick of the off-colour bowlers with 1-29.

A day later, Geoff Colley’s Sunday side turned up at Whitchurch Heath two men short after drop outs, so old stager Simon Hiscocks was brought out of retirement – again with some hastily borrowed skin-tight whites.

The usual mix of youth and experience restricted a competent Whitchurch side to 170 all out with Zaman helping himself to 3 for 9, and slow left armer Marc Wakeham bagging 2 for 42.

Ollie Coughtrey took a couple, Josh Clogg 1-8 and leggie James Hiscocks was desperately unlucky to end up wicket-less having deceived the batsmen regularly.

After tea, Curtis Wingren was out of the traps in a hurry but after losing Redmond Bennett early, was joined by Hiscocks. Despite borrowed equipment, he steadied the ship as wickets fell until joined by Compo.

The pair put on over 100 as they saw the winning post arrive only for the latter to fall with the scores tied. Four byes later and it was all over, Statto finishing on an unbeaten 64.

UNDER 9s

STARS of the weekend were Dinas Powys Cricket Club’s U9s, who performed admirably in their first competitive tournament in Newport.

Having been drawn in a group with Abercarn and Ponthir, the mini Villagers needed two wins to progress to the final.

In the first game against Ponthir, skipper Ben Hanson lost the toss and Dinas were made to bat, making a respectable 270 with Isaac Grant top-scoring with 22 and contributions from Jack Feehan, Jacob Hatcher, Nathan Waite and Ben Hanson.

Dinas Powys then restricted Ponthir to 254 with wickets for Aled Misra, Ben and two for looping leg spinner Nathan.

The Villagers then took on Abercarn, skipper Waite winning the toss and deciding to bowl.

With a wicket each to Ben and Nathan, Dinas restricted their opposition to 234 and then knocked them off comfortably to win by 27 runs, with the skipper top scoring with 11 and contributions from Toby Warlow, Daniel Jones, Jacob and Isaac.

Two superb wins meant the Villagers moved into the group winners’ final against a very strong Abergavenny, and when skipper Jacob lost the toss, Dinas were again made to field.

With some big hitting down the order they made a formidable score of 274 - which was always going to be a tough ask.

Dinas Powys finished on 236 but the boys did well against some really quick bowling with skipper Hatcher top scoring with 12 and Toby, Aled, Jack, Ben and Dan all making runs.

The boys did the club proud and played the games in a good spirit, and have certainly helped to enhance the junior section’s growing reputation.

Visit www.dinaspowyscc.co.uk for more information.