THE new season started for Brecon CC with the first team suffering a disappointing reverse at home to a strong Malpas outfit; however the second team put in a solid performance to come away from Machen with a victory.
At Brecon, Malpas batted first and made an excellent fist of things totalling 242 for 6. Whilst Brecon’s bowling may not have been at its best some quality shot play by Malpas took advantage of every opportunity to build their challenging total. For Brecon Matt Williams was the best of the bowling with 3 for 48. The other wicket takers were Sam Williams, Iain Mitchell and James Hudson with one each.
When Brecon batted Matt Williams was the main man with 68, which made it a great personal start to the season for him following his bowling performance. James Hudson (17), James Davenport (14) and Sam Williams (31no) were the other double digit contributors in an innings which never really mounted a challenge.
Away at Machen the 2nd team recorded a 95 run victory. Batting first Brecon amassed a formidable 227 for 6 from 40 overs. Amongst the runs were Rhys Pritchard (32), Steve Kenchington (30), Ben Kenchington (29) and Gwyn Price (25). However it was an unbroken stand of 87 between Ryan Morgan, with a classy struck 22 ball 58 not out, which was his first half century, and the veteran of many a cricket battle Brian Skinner (31no) that put the icing on the cake.
Whilst Machen made a solid start with an opening stand of 62 the remaining batsmen found Brecon’s varied bowling attack too much for them and the innings subsided to 131 all out. Amongst the wickets were Steve Kenchington (3 for 18), Gwyn Price (3 for 13) and with one each Ben Kenchington, John Cooke and Mark Waldeck. The other wicket fell to a brilliant run out affected by Tom Wood.
Next Saturday the first team will be looking to get a win under their belts away at newly promoted Cardiff Gymkhana whilst the second team entertain the always competitive Llantwit Fadre team.