Great start for Athletic (From Barry And District News)

Great start for Athletic

Barry Athletic made a great start to their Division 1 season with a seven-wicket victory at Ebbw Vale on Saturday.

On a dry but windy day and an unusually hard, fast track for so early in the season, skipper Steve Jones put the hosts in to bat.

With a very short boundary on the one side, Ebbw Vale began strongly - but nagging bowling by Stephen R Jones, Peter Hellyar and Billy Usswald began to restrict Ebbw Vale's scoring opportunities.

Ebbw Vale's dangerous captain, M Beacham, was the main thorn in Barry's side, scoring a fine 87 before falling to E Morgan.

When the run chase began towards the end of the innings, wickets began to fall and Stephen R Jones and Morgan reduced the home side to 236-7.

Barry's opening batsmen, Steve Jones and Damon Leake, were parted when Leake went early, but Gary Morgan set about the bowling with gusto, supported by skipper Jones until he fell for 38.

Scott Hopkins went cheaply, but Lee Morgan continued his form from last season with some breathtaking shots to all corners of the ground, reaching his 50 in no time at all.

At the other end, G Morgan reached a magnificent century with a square cut, to finish on 100 not out as Barry won by seven wickets.

Ebbw Vale 236-7. Beacham 87. S R Jones 4-57, E Morgan 3-50.

Barry 239-3. G Morgan 100 no, L Morgan 57 no, S Jones 38. K Crewe 1-53.