Wanderers into final again (From Barry And District News)

Wanderers into final again

On Saturday, Barry Wanderers first XI hosted St Peters at Sully Hospital in a must-win game for both sides.

The away side were invited to bat and Fenton (15-2-44-1) struck in his fourth over, bowling Isaacs for 8. At the other end, Rowlands was his usual conservative self, taking the crucial wicket of Lewis, who misjudged one that jagged back, for 1 and ending with excellent figures of 15-4-33-2. After 30 overs, the Rocks had reached just 83 for 4.

However in true Wanderers fashion the next 15 overs went for a ridiculous 92, and that is no reflection on the good back up bowling from Hassett (7-0-35-1) and Palmer (7.5-0-52-0). The Wanderers were just not with it, and the Rocks ended there 45 overs on a useful, but gettable, 174 for 5, with Matthew Harrington playing a superb innings for 78 not out on a wicket that was damp and often kept low.

The Wanderers reply began well with Sanders (24) and Smith (15) putting on 27, until Smith was given out LBW. To say it was harsh is an understatement! Sanders followed in the same fashion, but plum, and skipper Coleman lasted a few balls for his 1. Lanagan, as ever, stayed at the crease for 31 overs for a brilliant 78, ably assisted by Barnes with 22. With the score on 120 for 3, and with 11 overs left, the game was there for the taking.

But, as usual for the Wanderers they snatched defeat from the jaws of victory, with some pathetic batting at the tail, the last six batsmen scoring just 9 runs between them, and the Wanderers 10 runs short of their target.

It will now take a mathematical miracle for BWCC to gain promotion!

The Seconds didn't fair much better either. Restricting St Peters IV to 143 all out, with Nathan Evans bowling particularly well and taking 4 wickets, they could only muster 80 in reply, with a composed innings of 22 from young Anthony Barrett the only score of note.

Sunday's game was, by comparison, a refreshing change! Llandaff & Pantmawr were the visitors to Sully Hospital, and skipper Norman, lost the toss and Wanderers were invited to field. Hostile spells from Fenton (5-0-8-1) and Hassett (4-0-13-1) put BWCC in good stead. Durose showed us what we had been missing with an accurate spell of 8-0-31-2, and with Andy Ferguson firing them in from the tree end (6-2-14-1), the away side were beginning to wilt in the heat.

A good spell from Collins (5-2-17-1), and two by Ashton (3.2-0-13-3) restricted them to 117 all out. The bowlers were backed up by some excellent fielding, and 2 very good running catches in the deep from Lanagan and Fenton.

Lanagan and Sanders opened the innings for BWCC and put on an excellent 56, until Sanders chipped one to square leg and went for 16. Gareth Jones offered brief resistance with 10, and Paul Richards briefer for a Donald. The story of the day goes to Lanagan, who has now proved he can catch. The story not for the catching though, but for passing 1000 runs for the season in a usually flamboyant, (but a bit lucky!) 48 not out.

Ably assisted by Hassett at the other end, Hassett took matters into his own hands and battered the ball, Freddie style, for a whirlwind 30 not out. Unfortunately, amongst the euphoria of Lanagan's landmark, Jimmy forgot he needed just 2 for another 50. The Wanderers successful by 7 wickets.

On Monday, Wanderers hosted Tynewydd in the VGML Play-Off Semi-Final. Skipper Fenton won the toss and invited Tinny to bat on a green wicket. McLucas (4-0-17-1) and Hassett (4-0-11-0) opened and were superb. Ben Collins (2-0-10-1) and Lanagan (2-0-2-0) were also superb, and Grant Cole (4-0-22-0) and Fenton (4-0-27-0) bowled well under pressure at the end with Tinny desperate for runs.

The fielding was supreme with Lanagan taking another catch. At the end of their 20 overs Tynewydd had amassed 101 for 2 - a great effort from BWCC in sultry conditions.

Sherriff and Coleman opened, but neither really settled and went for 8 and 6 respectively. Dave Smith went for 2 going back to one which he shouldn't have, and the Wanderers were in bother at 39 for 3 off 8 overs. Lanagan and Barnes were next in and pushed the score to 53 when Lanagan chopped on for a quality 23.

Skipper Fenton particularly wanted to avenge defeat in the league earlier in the season and was determined not to play a daft shot.

Slowly and surely, Barnes and Fenton put on 48 for the next wicket, pushing into the gaps, with 2 sixes from Fenton which assisted the rate.

With the scores level, Fenton pushed one into the off for victory, but no, the fool was caught at short mid off for a controlled 24. Hassett came on and swept BWCC to victory, leaving Barnes not out on 26. BWCC victorious by 5 wickets.

A quite fantastic effort by all involved.

So Wanderers face either Centurions or Penarth at Burnham Avenue in the final, August 8, at 5.30pm.