Match Report vs Penarth 7th July 2026 @ Penarth(Skipper Steveo, report The Grinch)

The Cazh trekked up to a sunny (if not cloudy) Penarth for a day of cricket that proved to be an interesting affair. I had the pleasure of driving Pablo to the game, who regaled me the tale of the fire at the club house. I was glad to see on arrival that we weren’t playing in a shell of an arena.

Steve, earlier than every other Cazh today, went out to undertake the important captain duty of winning the toss and did (“Best tosser in the team” was overheard more than once) - the Cazh where in to bat first.

Was this a tactical decision or one enforced by the fact that several of the team still hasn’t turned up? Either way Liam and Rob headed out to open the batting, while Andy kept a solid control of the book (making writing the match reports so much easier – so a big thanks from me).

The opening partnership was a fruitful one scoring 30 until Rob fell first – being caught at square leg for 17. Walking back, he was cursing Has for being late and putting him in as an opener.

Cazh 30 – 1 after 8 overs

Has who had finally arrived, along with a “socked” up Gareth, attempted to walk out onto the field to make amends… but the captain took his prerogative and told him to stand down.

He strode out at number 3 saying “Should have been on time if you wanted to go out there”.

Liam and Steve batted a few more overs, with the captain being bowled clean for 7 runs. I can’t write his thoughts on dismissal though, I’m not sure what the profanity filters on this forum are.

Cazh 55 – 2 after 13 overs

Has in next and attempting to make up to Rob and Steve, started slow but with a customary aplomb.

Liam stayed out in the field adding a few more until he also fell to the same bowler and ended his innings on 33 runs.

Cazh 76 – 3 after 17 overs

Out strode your intrepid author, reminded by his teammates (thanks Dan), that he’d managed 6 runs in each of his last 3 appearances. Would it be the same today?

The newly named “HasMat” partnership started up and struck up a good set of runs. Drinks came and I got some practice bat sliding in so not to fall foul of any potential run outs (“Let it go… Let it go!”). Most important question though… did I get more than 6?

I am delighted to report that I did 14 off 24 balls before falling to the quick Penarth bowler Bob Davies (future menace to the lower order). If anyone wishes to see the dismissal, Rob very kindly recorded it and posted it on the WhatsApp group – appreciate that.

Cazh 119 – 4 after 25 overs

Over the hundred marks but 25 overs gone. Steve was keen on more runs to come in and informed the batsmen he’d like a score of 230 for the day.

Gareth, now in kit which included socks, in next to help the team get there.

Has, who was starting to get into his stride, wasn’t able to add too many more, getting caught behind by the wicket keeper ending his day on 41.

Cazh 139 – 5 after 28 overs

I’ll admit after this I lost track of the batsmen in and out of the order while trying to find somewhere to fill up my water bottle. But what would a match report be without a customary Cazh collapse somewhere near the end?

Gareth fell as the 6th wicket bowled by Bob – he would try and smooth talk his way into Gareth’s affections later in the day.

141 – 6 after 30 overs

Dan was the next batsmen to fall, not in his customary position of the lower order, adding a big 15 to the score (with a lovely 6 thrown in)

171 – 7 after 33 overs

Joe Dilling, only his second start as a Cazh stepped up in the pressure zone and was caught off the first ball and we headed towards 40 overs wondering if we’d top 200…

171 – 8 after 34 overs

Pablo was out next bowled clean after 4 balls for 0 and a change in bookkeeping was required as Andy “Shaneo” Munn, had to pad up to head out on the field to help us reach a competitive total.

171 – 9 after 35 overs

Nadeem, strong in the crease added a helpful 15 to the score but was the last to fall. Bowled out like so many overs leaving Penarth to chase 174 to win the game.

Cazh Batting Stats

L Foster 33
R Owens 17
S O’Reilly 7
H Ahmed 41
M Davies 14
G Ludkin 10
D Lewis 15
N Afzal 15
J Dilling 0
P Stephens 0
A Munn 2* Not out

Drinks break and the cloud started to come over more. A few even thought about getting there jumpers out of the bags – in the start of July no less!
I stupidly joked with Dan that if I ever hit a hundred in an innings, I will get a Cardiff Casuals tattoo on me somewhere. And I don’t know why I’ve committed that comment to a match report…

Anyway, weather be damned, we had a cricket game to win and so we headed out to the field in search of some early wickets. OReillyBall was in full display today with 10 different bowlers having a go.

Cazh Bowling

Andy “Shaneo” Munn and Pablo where the opening two bowlers – going with a slower start to the day. Pablo should have had a catch taken early on at mid-wicket, but someone managed to drop the catch (I for the life of me can’t find their name anywhere… how odd) but it wasn’t long before an opening wicket fell.

Ball of the Day from Pablo as a slight “wind assistance” saw a lovely turn of the ball and the opening batsman was bowled for 9.

Shaneo, not to be outdone took the second batsmen for 6 and Penarth where staring down 15 – 2 early doors.
The bookkeeping from our opponents wasn’t as through so the rest of this is write is from memory…

Their “best batsmen” (words from the umpire there) strode in and was run out when he didn’t spot Has, popping up out the ground like a gopher, and was run out for 0. Fortuitous signs ahead?

Shaneo took his second wicket of the day bowling the next batsman out for 2.

I came in for a short 3 over stint – less said about the first ball I “threw” but some calm breathing and gentle encouragement from Steve and Rob helped me take a wicket – another batsman out for 9.

Penarth where in need of runs badly, and so Steve offering them two overs from him was a kind gesture. However, I’m saddened to report that the captain added to his excellent day in the office by taking a wicket. He spent a lot of time apologising for it – so make of that what you will.

Gareth and Nadeem came into the attack and frustrated the middle order batsmen who couldn’t attack anything. Both deserved a wicket but neither came as some very tight batting kept the Penarth score low and Cazh hopes high.

Part way through Gareth’s over, the opposition batsman started his courting ritual on him asking which Saturday team he played for. The stunned silence when he replied “I’m Casual till I die” still rings around the ground.

Liam warmed himself up to take over wicket keeping duties from Steve by bowling two overs – the captain remarked “Myself and the batsman aren’t impressed by this” after the first three balls – nothing like motivation out in the field.

Dan and Rob came in at the final few overs to pick up the last few wickets as Penarth played a conservative game to frustrate us, but it kept the score mercifully low.
Dan took three wickets towards the end and Rob picked up that all important final wicket to leave Penarth on 120 meaning the Cazh win!

A special shout out to Joe Dilling, second game or the Cazh and first time ever bowling, having two overs to learn the ropes – I am sure we’ll see more from him in the future!

Final score

Cazh 173 all out
Penarth 120 all out
Cazh win by 53 runs

Post match

Not many of us where brave enough to attempt the showers in Penarth (the toilets where a dangerous game of mud or poo) despite the weeds growing through the floor. So, a liberal application of deodorant and a decant to the bar was in order.

We were treated to the end of the Women’s T20 on the screens and fascinating encounter on the other pitch. An Australian touring side, made up of kids from across down under, where playing against Penarth and the final few over where thrilling.

161 needed by Penarth and the 8 wickets had already fallen. Penarth on 159 were struggling to keep the aggressive bowler (who was about twice my height!) out. He struck with the first ball of the over, and then #9 into the order came out to try and get the needed runs.
Penarth scored 2 bringing the score even and with the last ball of the game the touring side took the final wicket – a tie! In Cricket?! It’s more likely than you think!

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