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1st
XI
No
match report received
2nd
XI
After success the previous week,
the 2nd XI were looking to maintain momentum and avenge the
early season defeat against Abercarn. However, player availability once
again depleted the team and a different team to previous weeks took to
the field. Steve Smith, captaining the side in the absence of Alan
Hughes on 1st XI duty, was offered the choice from the toss
and elected to bat on what had been a fine day. Within 10 minutes
though, the clouds gathered and 45 minutes of rain delayed the start
until 3 pm.
Mike Maguire and Llewelyn
Griffiths got the innings underway with overs reduced to 30 per side. A
good scoring rate was struck from the start, but when the 3rd
wicket was lost in the 13th over with the score at 49, a
period of consolidation and concentration was called for to set up the
innings for a reasonable total.
This was not to be as Matthew
Walsh joined Llewelyn at the wicket and proceeded to up the run rate in
his usual style. When the 100 came up in the 22nd over, a
total of 140 + looked achievable. Good batting against a decent attack
managed to push the score along at an excellent rate and when Llewelyn
was out for 41 in the 29th over, the partnership was worth
110 in 16 overs. Full bonus points were secured in the last over with
Matthew unbeaten on 83 at the close.
A target of 168 seemed
challenging for Abercarn on a wicket that was still slippery from the
rain and early wickets were needed to increase the pressure. It was not
to be as the openers took the score to 65 before Ross Williams parted
them in the 13th over. Their batsmen continued to take
advantage of some short and loose bowling from the young
change bowlers and the rate was soon above target.
Alan Jones provided hope with 2
wickets in successive overs and at 127 for 3 in the 22nd
over, they still had work to do. However, a surge of runs (and extras)
in the 24th and 25th overs took Abercarn to the
winning target with overs to spare.
The defeat leaves the team 3rd
from bottom with matches still to come against the 2 sides below. Must
win games start next week.
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