HOSTS Barry Athletic Cricket Club opened their season with a friendly against Blackwood on Saturday, and the visitors were asked to bat on a green wicket.

Reduced to 22 for three in the seventh over after Steve Jones took the first three wickets with catches from Aaron Smith, Nathan Baker and Ashley Baker, Blackwood recovered with a 73-run partnership between Wilkinson and Evans, with the latter hitting captain John Gee’s first ball of the season into the pavilion and smashing a window. Gee ended up with three wickets and the other wicket takers, in Blackwood's all out total of 188 in the 37th over, were were Ellis and David Goodway.

Barry lost the wickets of Aaron Smith, Nathan Baker and Craig Brock with only 41 on the board before a partnership of 26 between Goodway (40) and Ashley Baker. After Baker became the fifth wicket to fall with the score on 77, there was a 40-run partnership between Ellis (34, including three sixes) and Hugh Smith. After the ninth wicket fell on 123, a late cameo from Gee, who hit 12 not out in six balls, pushed the losing total to 136.

BLACKWOOD: 188 all out (Wilkinson 49, Evans 46; S Jones 3-20, J Gee 3-52, D Goodway 2-23, S Ellis 2-36)

BARRY ATHLETIC: 136 all out (D Goodway 40, S Ellis 34, A Baker 13, J Gee 12no)

YOUNGSTER SHINES

In a second friendly, Barry welcomed Machen on Sunday, with the visitors making a bad start and losing their first two wickets for just four runs.

There was a 44-run partnership for the third wicket but bowlers Scott Malpas and Rhys Hatton were back among the wickets as Machen were bowled out for 82.

Barry’s reply got off to a sluggish start and openers Williams and Eastman both fell with the score on eight. Malpas (15) increased the run rate, and Ashley Baker (33), partnered by young Sam Hopkins, took Barry home at 83 for six.

MACHEN: 82 all out (Singh 44; S Malpas 2-13, R Hatton 2-20, S Hopkins 1-1)

BARRY ATHLETIC: 83-6 ( A Baker 33, S Hopkins 25, S Malpas 15; J Dinsmoore 3-16)

This weekend the Athletic have two games - Saturday at home to Penarth (1pm start and all players to report to the ground for 12 noon) and Sunday away at Miskin Manor (captains will be in touch with details).

Junior nets continue at Cadoxton Sports Hall on Mondays between 6 and 7pm; all welcome.

Barry Athletic are also looking for sponsorship; please contact Mark Rees - email markrees509@hotmail.com