Match Report vs Cross Keys 29 May 2022 @ Pontymister(Skipper and report Richie)

A rather poor forecast, after some glorious recent weather, had cast doubt as to whether the game would go ahead but heading to Fields Road for a game against Cross Keys it had brightened up enough to give some hope that we would get some “cricket” in.

The Casz were already on the back foot with only 10 available following Steve’O having to withdraw from the matchday XI with a serious injury incurred in the previous game against Talygarn which required an Elastoplast to be applied in two visits to A&E.

An agreement was reached pre toss that the game would be 35 overs per side to allow for a game before the expected poor weather arrived later in the day. Skipper Rich then won the toss and immediately panicked and opted to bat.

Luvvers and Rob opened the batting with all going well until the fifth ball of the 2nd over when Rob’s bails were disturbed – 8 for 1 off 11 balls

Luvvers was joined briefly by Gareth Finch but it was again the fifth ball of the over that did for the new batsman with Gareth F also having his bails disturbed in the 4th over – 12 for 2 off 25 balls

Jim was next up as Luvvers’ partner and they were able to see off the opening bowler before Jim was undone (bowled) by the first change’s third ball – 19 for 3 in the 7th over

Rich was next in at number 4 with the advice from Luvvers that there was plenty of time and not to do anything silly. So, on a difficult pitch to score on, both batsmen set about protecting their wickets and only going for the poor balls, of which there weren’t very many. The pair had managed to keep the scoring rate the same without losing any more wickets until just before drinks with Rich being bowled - 51 for 4 in the 18th over

Pete joined Luvvers after drinks but it was Luvvers next to fall (caught) for a very controlled innings of 34 in the 20th over – 55 for 5

Goff arrived at the crease with 15 overs left to absorb and plenty of time to set a defendable total. The pair added 9 before Pete was dismissed, the fifth bowled of the innings, to leave the Casz at 64 for 6 in the 25th over

Paul came in at number 8 and Goff decided it was up to him to score the runs adding the first six of the innings before Paul was bowled – 74 for 7 in the 28th over

This quickly became 74 for 8 in the same over (next ball?) as Foxy was sent back after being bowled.

DT was last man in, elevated to number 10, and kept out the first ball before he was bowled (the 8th bowled dismissal of the innings) with the Casz closing on 74 all out.

Of note their bowler number 6 ended with figures of 4 overs, 3 maidens four wickets for two runs

Luvvers 34 (caught) [4 x 4]
Rob 4 (bowled)
Gareth F 0 (bowled)
Jim 2 (bowled)
Rich 8 (bowled) [1 x 4]
Pete 3 (bowled)
Goff 12 not out [1 x 6]
Paul 0 (bowled)
Foxy 0 (bowled)
DT 0 (bowled)

Everyone tucked into their own tea with a variety of savoury and sweet treats being devoured. It’s still disappointing that teas aren’t being provided but sadly it may well be the shape of things to come.

The Casz opened up with Goff (tree end) and DT (helicopter end). Goff removing their #1 (caught w/k Jim) without troubling the score with DT matching Goff’s opener removing the #3 LBW … although it was a little dubious. Goff then removed the #4 (bowled) in his second over and DT took the #2 caught and bowled in his third to leave Crosskeys 20 for 4 off six overs.

With Crosskeys chasing a small total and the skipper wanting everyone to have a game the change of bowlers saw Pete replace Goff and Paul take over from DT. Pete taking two wickets in his first over removing #5 bowled and #6 caught (Gareth Finch) and despite both bowling well in their 3 over stints they could trouble the wickets any further.

Second change saw Luvvers and Foxy enter the action and despite some lively deliveries from Luvvers the batsmen hit their target two balls into Luvvers’ 2nd over with Crosskeys finishing on 75 for 6 off 15.2 overs

We had more than a sniff of a chance in this game with Crosskeys losing six wickets in 7 overs for only 22 runs but after that they shut up shop and with only a small total to defend we were always on the backfoot and with only 10 in the field. A very good effort though and on another day, with a few more runs, another player, a nice tea, who knows …

Goff 3 (overs) 0 (maidens) 7 (runs) 2 (wickets)
DT 3 (overs) 0 (maidens) 13 (runs) 2 (wickets)
Pete 3 (overs) 0 (maidens) 14 (runs) 2 (wickets)
Paul 3 (overs) 0 (maidens) 13 (runs) 0 (wickets)
Foxy 2 (overs) 0 (maidens) 16 (runs) 0 (wickets)
Luvvers 1.2 (overs) 0 (maidens) 11 (runs) 0 (wickets)

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