Windmill Lane v Barry Wanderers

THE MIDWEEK season got off to winning start for the Wanderers with a good result and a solid performance. The team was much changed with several players missing from the side which had a successful season last term.

The team got off to a sticky start when stand in captain Ben Irons won the toss and chose to bat first and the Wanderers top order were exchanging places in the middle with worrying regularity. But the foundations for a good total were soon laid when a solid knock from Andrew Ferguson (21) and some late innings hitting from Andrew Fenton (18) and Grant Cole (19) guided Wanderers to 119 from their 20 overs.

In reply, Windmill Lane struggled to cope with some tight opening overs and soon found themselves chasing the game against an experienced attack showing early signs of potential.

Runs were at a premium as were wickets until the timely introduction of Grant Cole, who in his 4 over spell, cleaned up with 5 wickets in quick succession with the other wickets being shared with the other bowlers.

The innings petered out short of the target although a Windmill Lane batsman did have the honour of finishing the innings with a fine clean 6 off James Hassett. Something for the returning skipper Jamie Kier to think about on his return no doubt!!

All in all, a solid if unspectacular start to the league season with plenty of room for improvement all round.

Penarth 3rd XI v Barry Wanderers 1st XI

On a beautiful sunny day, Barry made the short journey to Penarth to play an experienced 3rd XI. Barry won the toss and put Penarth in to bat on a slightly damp track following the previous night's thunder storm.

Dan Bowles and Ajaz Khan took the new ball but struggled to find consistency leaving the Penarth openers to hit the bad ball regularly to the boundary. New starlet Vivek Naidu was brought in to stem the run rate and did so with a wonderful spell of bowling conceding just 13 off his 10 overs.

At the other end young Anthony Barratt bowled very well taking the first wicket, whilst Pasha Nadeem and Mike Burson also contributed well with the ball.

Peter Goodfellow, however, found most of the bowling to his liking as he smashed a quickfire 64 before nicking behind from Burson.

At this stage Penarth were on 200-4 with 5 overs left but Barry kept plugging away and eventually the innings closed on 222-6 from 45 overs; the drinks could not come fast enough!

After a lovely tea, Barry were confident of reaching the total on a belter of a track. Pete Coleman and Mike Burson opened the innings and started well before Burson was caught behind.

Ed Sherriff then stepped up to plate and scored a fine 30 before being exceptionally caught by Penarth skipper Rob Crimp with Barry on 80-2 from 15 overs.

Last week's hero Vivek strode confidently up to the crease before smashing a straight ball straight to mid wicket for a duck. Barratt was then out unluckily hitting the ground with his bat, bringing Andrew Ferguson in.

He battled with Coleman until Coleman provided a fine audition for Strictly Come Dancing' being easily stumped for 28 with Barry still just needing 5 per over.

From then on the writing was on the wall as Hassett and Nadeem tried their hardest to get Barry into a winnable position. Peter Hardwick found incredible turn to put the screw on Barry, and Crimp bowled very tightly to strangle the Barry batsmen. Ferguson was caught and bowled for 21 before Jamie Keir and Bowles earned Barry some valuable points by putting on a last wicket stand of 30 and finishing not out.

Barry closed their innings on 176-9, a lack of application with the bat contributing to a lacklustre batting display with the match there for the taking.

With some players missing next week, it gives others a chance to shine at home to Llantwit Major.

Barry Wanderers 2nd XI v Creigiau

The second team were looking for their first win of the season but lost the toss and were invited to bat on a stunning afternoon. The track looked good - so good that skipper Swanny needed to hug it!

Andy Furnham replaced Swanny and duly caressed the ball to parts of Hayes Point never seen by a cricket ball! An outstanding innings of 83 not out enable BWCC to reach 207 off their allotted 45 overs.

The bowling was again disappointing and resulted in 29 extras (ie 5 extra overs for Creigiau). Creigiau won by 4 wickets with one over remaining - how costly were those extras!

Sunday - Barry Wanderers v Attock

BWCC hosted Cardiff based side Attock for a friendly at Hayes Point. Skipper Fenton won the toss ad elected to bowl in the searing heat - a decision not too popular with the team!

The skipper and Beckett opened with the new ball, bowling very tidily. It was Fenton who got the breakthrough in the 3rd over, bowling Sharaz with a quicker one and Beckett claimed the next victim.

Kruanl Paretl bowled very well and was not put off by being smacked for a few sixes. He returned useful figures of 2 for 40. Collins was unusually wayward, but managed to take 1 for 38. Evan and Mark Jones both bowled well at a time when Attock were accelerating. Jimmy Hassett bowled beautifully, including a legendary J-ball and returned 2 for 25. Vivek Naidu taking the final wicket and Attock scoring a useful 220 all out.

Vivek and Jimmy Hassett opened for BWCC, and the latter was soon for an early bath - beautifully bowled. Vivek and Rob Tucker put on an excellent 81 before the latter missed a straight one.

Mark Ellis was in at 4 and with Vivek ticked the score along as required.

With some tidy mid order hitting from a resurgent Brian Gist (19) things were looking excellent for BWCC. Vivek achieved his second 50 of the season - and majestic it was!

At the other end Mark Ellis fired his first 50 of the season. 70 runs were needed off the last 12 overs when Fenton joined Ellis at the crease.

Sensible batting ensued with the aim a final onslaught in the last few overs.

Fenton was unable to find the middle of his bat until the last over, by which time there was 17 needed from it. With a 1, followed by a straight 6 - it was game on! However, Collins took out one of the Attock players while attempting a quick single, and Fenton was left isolated in the middle. BWCC ran out losers by just 7 runs. All in all a marvellous effort by the lads, and a great game of cricket played in the best spirit.

7:58am Thursday 15th May 2008

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