Barry overcome bad start to claim draw (From Barry And District News)

Barry overcome bad start to claim draw

Barry Wanderers 1st XI hosted Monkswood on a cooler day than of late and on winning the toss opted to bat - a decision that skipper Barnes was soon to rue.

Sherriff was bowled first ball of the day and was soon followed by George and Ferguson. The score was soon 31 for 5. An overdue sensible innings from Stuart Jones (24) until he was out off a possible no ball took the score to 101 for 6.

Stuart Hardisty was the man of the innings scoring a magnificent 61 not out to rescue his team and help post a score of 184 off their allocotion. Stuart Jones bowled superbly at the start taking three early wickets, but the run rate.

Monkswood looked favourites when they needed just 30 off the last 10 overs with three wickets in hand, but were in trouble again when they were eight down.

With just three runs needed off the last three overs with two men in hand, the opposition failed dismally with two sensational run-outs by Barry Wanderers and some kamikaze running by Monkswood. The game ended in a tie.

SECONDS

Wanderers 2nd XI went away to play Blaina Seconds in a game they needed to win - and win well - to maintain their second place in the league.

In the sunshine the verdant Gwent Valley looked a picture. The wicket at Central Park was hard, flat and grassy giving the impression of being a good batting track but with some help for the bowlers. Wanderers won the toss and decided to bat.

Wanderers openers D Smith and C Sanders started the innings cautiously against accurate swing bowling from N Williams and, once he found his line and length, dangerous seam bowling from T Williams.

The score after ten overs was just 25, at 20 overs 80 and, when the first wicket fell in the 30th over, C Sanders (44), the partnership had achieved 165. The final 15 overs produced 106 runs.

D Smith (114) made his maiden century for the club. M Ellis (12), E Toozer (24 no), S Norman with a hard hitting 19 and L Walters hitting a six of the last ball, took Wanderers to an impressive total of 271 for 4.

Blaina's innings started badly when their premier batsman, W Savage, was dismissed, caught D Peacey bowled L Walters, for 8. This important wicket was the only one L Walters (12-3-34-1) took.

All the bowlers contributed and wickets went down at regular intervals. When it became clear that Blaina were not going to achieve the requisite runs, their batting became more circumspect and they were much more difficult to dislodge.

P Lane, with an excellent 63 no, helped them to reach a respectable 180 for nine.

Next week Wanderers face an improving Caerphilly and Bedwas team in a must win game.

SUNDAY

On Sunday the Wanderers travelled to Cynon Valley (Aberdare) on another scorcher of an afternoon. Skipper Fenton lost the toss and was invited to field.

Ben Collins bowled the spell of his career and was moving the new ball with ridiculous amounts of spin to take three wickets.

With the miserly Ashton (8-4-4-0) at the other end, Cynon Valley limped to 15 for 3 off 16 overs. With further wickets from Ferguson and a superb spell from Paul George the home side struggled to 102 for 9 off their 40 overs.

The Wanderers made hard work of the task but eventually won by seven wickets with contributions from Ferguson (10), Lanagan (11), George (16), Tim Sanders (12 not out) and new boy Gary Whiting (24 not out).