Builth 1sts 235-3 beat Garnons 1sts 234 all out by 7 wickets

A MAGNIFICENT 127 from Builth skipper Sam Williams set up a crushing win for his side as once again Builth’s curate egg of a season continued.

Batting first on the parched fields of Garth Road initially rode their luck as Builth dropped catches but Alan Jones (55) Tyler Garrard (60) and Paul Williams (49) set up a big total. Builths bowlers though had different ideas as Henry Edwards (3-46), Dylan McPhee (3-49) and Mike Williams (2-54) rolled out the visitors lower order for an under par 254.

Garnons hit back as McPhee and Steve Anderson were removed early before Sam Williams and Aled Powell (86no) stroked the ball to all parts as they added a spectacular 215 for the third wicket. Ezra Tattersall (10no) comfortably saw Builth over the line and an early finish in just 36 overs.

Skipper Williams reflected on his double delight “That was a great effort by the lads, despite some mixed catching we stuck at it”

Builth 2nds 144 -7 lost to Goodrich 2nds 145-5 by 5 wickets

Goodrich regained top spot in Division 3 as they overcame a stubborn Builth 2nds with an ultimately comfortable win in South Herefordshire.

On a sticky dog of a pitch that had suffered from overnight rain Goodrich bowlers struck early to leave the visitors reeling at 25-4 with Neil Price (4-13) ripping out the top order. Builth needed to to dig in and a patient Paul Rowe (77no) carried his bat and with support from Kevin Hall (19) saw the Bulls second string to 144.

In reply Goodrich started quickly with Adam McClarty (38) on the attack. Further contributions from Patrick Milinczuk (32), Rufus Davies (23), Jack Waldis (22) and Matt Davies (21) saw their side to a five wicket win. The wily Kevin Hall (2-19) kept Builth hopes up with further wickets from Arthur Davies and Gareth Sterry.

Builth skipper Stuart Cripps commented: “The toss was critical. It was hard work batting early in the innings. But overall we battled well and are in a great position in the league.”

Builth 2nds will welcome Garnons 2nds on Saturday looking to maintain their unbeaten home record while the 1sts will make the long trip to Brockhampton 3rds.

Crickhowell v Brockhampton

Crickhowell’s season went from bad to worse last Saturday, losing at home to bottom of the table Brockhampton, in a low scoring affair.

It all started off well enough, with Crickhowell winning the toss and asking the visitors to bat first on a very dry, and tired looking pitch. Brockhampton actually started off quite well with the bat, with Parker (24), Price (23) and Glinos (23) making positive contributions. It was young Lloyd Francis who got the break through in the 9th over, aided by his mate Callum Tew, who took a very good running catch in the deep, to dismiss Price. Phill Bowker replaced Lloyd Francis and then trapped Parker lbw and Nick Francis then came on to bowl Glinos who looked quite dangerous, with four boundaries already to his name. For Brockhampton, then, it was a case of ‘after the Lord Mayor’s show’ with no other batsman getting past four. They limped to 104 all out in just over 30 overs, with Ben Bowker returning to finish with excellent figures of 3-31 off his 10 overs and father Phill finishing with 4-21 off his 10 overs. The other father and son pairing saw Lloyd Francis finish with 1-26 and Nick Francis taking the last wicket to finish on 2-17. It was a good fielding performance also, for Crickhowell, with Callum Tew taking two good catches, Lloyd Francis taking a good diving catch at silly mid-on, Wallace completing a good stumping, and Nick Kinman rolling back the years to run around from mid off to take the catch for the last wicket.

As you might expect, the mood for Crickhowell was very positive at tea, looking forward to the simple task of knocking off just 105 runs for a much needed win. Batting though, has been Crickhowell’s constant ‘achilles heel’ this season, and they have consistently failed to provide a firm foundation in making any total at all. They again started poorly and were 14-3 after 9 overs before Nick Francis and Price put on 30 for the fourth wicket. Francis then offered a catch and was dismissed for 17 but surely there was enough experience in the lower order to see this through? Not so! Ben Bowker and Phil Christie looked solid enough, and looked set to edge Crickhowell to a win, but with Bowker given out lbw, controversially, and Christie getting one that kept low off that tired pitch, Crickhowell finished on a very poor 89 all out and managed, once again, to clutch a defeat from the jaws of victory.

These are dark days indeed for Crickhowell and when a team is in a run of poor form it’s incredible how further misfortune can follow and four lbw decisions, two of which seemed particularly baffling, doesn’t help to turn confidence around.

Ironically, though, Crickhowell remain fourth from bottom in the league table as all the sides around them also failed to win. They now have a tough run of three games with Goodrich (the current league leaders) and Builth both away, followed by Kington at home. Thereafter their season’s fortunes will probably rely on the outcome of fixtures against fellow strugglers Ross away, and Dales at home, before the final trip of the season away to title challengers Luctonians.

The mood in the camp however, remains fairly positive, after all it is only a game and not a matter of life or death, although at times the older ones in the club in particular, can still hear the voice of Bill Shankly in their heads, and even though he might have been talking about football, the same sentiment rings true for cricket, and some would say even more so, that, ‘no, true, the game is not a matter of life or death, it’s much more important than that!’

SOUTH EAST WALES CRICKET LEAGUE

Brecon Cricket Club’s 1st team made it three wins in row with a comfortable five wicket victory at home to Pentyrch in a game sponsored by Red Kite Solicitors on Saturday. The win means Brecon move out of the relegation places leaving Tondu and Usk occupying the at risk spots.

Batting first Pentyrch did well to see off Brecon’s opening attack for the loss of only one wicket taken by Sam Williams (1-26). From there it looked likely a challenging total would be posted however Tom Jones (2-19) and Iain Mitchell (2-22) put a dent in progress with lively spells. Pentyrch then again fought back, despite an excellent spell of spin bowling from Matt Williams (3-28) and a wicket for Ceitho Williams, to post a decent 165 all out.

The Brecon reply started shakily and at 10-2 wickets victory looked a long way off. Once again it was Greg Webber that steadied things with a hard fought 32 before an unbeaten partnership between Keiron Marmian (69no), taking a break from his hectic rugby career, and the old warrior, Andy MacDonald (27no) saw the innings to a vital win with plenty of overs in hand.

At Dinas Powys the 2nd team recorded a comfortable victory without ever reaching their best form. Batting first Brecon put up 244 all out built on foundations established by a partnership of 55 between Mark and Sean Waldeck with scores of 64 and 22 respectively. Steve Kenchington then made his usual solid contribution with 48, Ben Kenchington (24) and Ryan Morgan (16) continued the good work to ensure the innings progressed to a reasonable total.

Dinas Powys lost an early wicket in reply but a partnership of 85 between George Colley and Kevin Morgan kept them in contention before Steve Kenchington (4-24) dismissed both in the same over and suddenly Brecon were in charge. The steady loss of wickets from there meant that Dinas Powys did not mount a serious challenge with the innings ending on 179 all out. The other wickets takers for Brecon were John Cooke 2-24, Gwyn Price 2-34 and one wicket each for John and Ben Kenchington.

Next week the 1st team visit title chasing Newbridge, which is always a difficult encounter, hoping to build on their recent good form, whilst the 2nd team entertain Monkswood looking for a win to stay at the top of their division.

Glangrwyney 1sts away to Strollers 1sts

The home team won the toss and batted first on a damp, green wicket making only 28 in the first ten overs. However, with several first-team bowlers not available, Strollers took advantage of the change bowling and pushed on to 256 for 6 of which 59 were extras. The pick of the bowlers were Daffydd Myson with 2-41 and Tim Jones with 2-61.

In reply Glangrwyney got off to a brisk start with Barry Sharpe to the fore and reached drinks at 89 for 2 however once he was out for 64 soon afterwards, the challenge wilted in the sun. Other contributions came from the Jones’, Tim and Nick, who made 32 and 31 respectively but this was not enough as the visitors slumped to a 75 run defeat. Glangrwyney remain clear at the top despite this loss.

Glangrwyney 2nds home to Hereford 1sts

Another hot afternoon on the parched camp saw Glangrwyney lose at home for the first time this season to league leaders Hereford.

On winning the toss, the home team batted first and got off to a brisk start thanks to the reliable Brian Skinner with other contributions coming from John Parkinson (21) and Huw Jarrett (24). Later, the home team were pushed on to a decent score by the returning stalwarts Bob Howells with 37no and James Sercombe 13 not out. Justin Lane was the pick of the visitors’ bowlers with 5-24 from his nine overs who really prevented the home team for posting a more imposing score.

In reply, Hereford started cautiously, as Haydn Davies again bowled with great control, taking one wicket in his nine overs for only 20 runs. A depleted bowling attack due to first team calls meant that the scoring picked up when the change bowlers came on and except for Dan Bowen’s two wickets, no one was able to prevent the visitors from comfortably achieving the target with nine overs to spare. Despite this setback, Glangrwyney remain competitive in fourth place with two games in hand on the leaders.