Match Report vs Barry West End 25th May 2025 @ The Island (Skipper Steveo, report Pat)

The Casuals first trip to Barry Island for 2025 was a fine but windy day, threat of rain having past but a stiff breeze from one end. Batting first, Cheese and Will were first to the wicket (others feel free to add the explanation of how Will achieved the promotion from his usual number three spot). Sadly it was but a brief opening partnership as Will was the first to misjudge the pitch/wind and chipped a catch to the infield.

This brought Robbie S to the crease, another entering earlier than sometimes, and he took this as a nudge to reign in the attacking intent in the first instance and build into the game. These two took the shine off the new ball and nearly saw off the opening bowlers, until Cheese was bowled in the 10th over. Liam F was next in although only lasted a few balls before also succumbing bowled to the accurate Hatton, with the score at 30-3.

Skipper Stevo entered at 5, and there followed an (unusually) careful and well paced stand of nearly 100, rebuilding the innings and taking the Cazh through the drinks break and up to the 28th over. This was broken when Stevo was triggered, and Robbie edged behind shortly after to leave the score 126-5 with 10 overs to go.

Syed and Patrick came to the crease next, accumulating some runs but also struggling with communications in the blowy conditions. An attempted acceleration was cut short with Patrick stumped for 17 in the penultimate over, Pabs and Syed finishing off the innings and bringing the final total to 162-6 from the 40 overs.

Cheese – bowled – 19
Will – caught – 0
Robbie S – caught – 70
Liam F – bowled – 0
Stevo – lbw – 26
Syed – not out – 17
Patrick – stumped – 17
Pabs – not out – 1
DNB – Liam W, Goff, DT
162-6 (40 overs)

Several Cazh took the opportunity to add to the now standard BYO tea with the delights of the Gavin & Stacey themed burger van, before the team retook the field.

Goffy and DT opened the bowling for the Cazh, preventing the Westies getting off to an absolute flyer but also struggling to find an early break through. Goff dropped a caught and bowled chance in the 3rd as the batsmen built an opening stand approaching a half century, before a double strike by DT in the 10th over brought the Casuals back into the game - a great catch by Robbie at mid on, well judged in the wind, followed by the number 3 bowled three balls later. 47-2 from 10 overs.

Captain Stevo rung the bowling changes, bringing Pylon and Pabs into the attack, but the runs continued to flow. A couple of half chances here and there came and went (wind assisted chance over Liam F’s head at mid off, two balls landing in no man’s land between fielders, and a thin edge behind to Will missed) as lady luck remained missing – drinks taken at 120-2.

The partnership was finally broken at 137 with Syed bowling the opener, Rutherford, on the eight ball of the over, following two no balls. The fourth wicket pair brought the runs required under ten, before a token Stevo over claimed batsmen five with the end in sight. A dil-scooped two took the home team over the line with nearly 12 overs to spare.

Goff 5-0-26-0
DT 6-0-34-2
Liam W 4-0-21-0
Pabs 5-0-26-0
Patrick 3-0-20-0
Syed 2-0-17-1
Robbie 2.1-0-10-0
Stevo 1-0-8-1

Catch – Robbie S

163-4 (28.1 overs)

After suffering in the blustery weather (and falling to defeat), a party of Cazh did at least enjoy the welcome after game traditions of buffet at the West End Club and listening to the opposition hand out their fines.

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