WITH Barry Athletic Cricket Club having their 1st XI game called off, it was up to the 2nd XI to fly the flag in the league and that's what they did in some style against Newbridge on a beautiful day at the Island.

Asked to bat, Athletic got off to a brilliant start. Andrew Buckland and Hugh Smith put on 82 for the first wicket, with the former pulling and cutting with some panache and Smith being very dogged. Barry did not use up their full allocation of overs and were bowled out for 170, with Buckland getting 56, Smith (37), Davies (19) and captain Scott Malpas (13).

Newbridge made a slow start but were well up with the run rate and looked odds on for a win before Martin Baker and Malpas (3-29) had other ideas to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. With the pair producing some masterful bowling at the death of the innings, the last three overs went for just 15 runs, with some outstanding fielding and catches by Mark White and Ashley Baker.

At the close, Newbridge finished on 165 for six for Barry to record a brilliant five-run win.

Your cricket club needs you! The Barry club is looking for players for their junior sides. Players aged between seven and 15 are welcome. Junior training is on Thursday nights starting at 6pm at the Athletic Ground, Paget Road.

This Saturday the Firsts entertain Miskin Manor, with a 1pm start; all players are asked to be at the ground for 11.45am. The 2nd XI are away at Croesyceliog, while the 3rd XI travel to Cardiff Gymkhana.