7:44am Thursday 3rd July 2008
IT WAS a sunny but rather windy day at the Stag Oval, as Barry Athletic 1st X1 played host to relegation rivals Radyr.
Radyr won the toss and elected to bat on a 'belter' of a track, thanks to some hard work from groundsman and 1st team skipper Ian 'Nasser' Gadd.
Barry started well with Peter Hellyar taking an early wicket to put Radyr on the back foot.
This meant the arrival of Radyr's club pro Jon Davies, but after looking set in the 30s, it only took an average ball from Simon Phillips to get the danger man with Nathan Baker taking a rather sharp catch, standing up to the stumps.
Barry's bowlers all performed reasonably well in tandem, with Steve 'Stevo' Jones taking one, Simon Phillips lucky to end up with two thanks to some smart glove-work from keeper Nathan Baker, Hellyar also taking two, with Mitchell Taylor Moore and Razza also chipping in with crucial wickets at vital times for the Stags.
Radyr finished on 226-9 off their 50 overs more than the Stag army would like to see their heroes chasing with a rather weakened side where only three recognised 1st team batsmen were available for selection.
Barry began their run chase rather quickly with Ian 'Nasser' Gadd and Nathan 'McCullum' Baker putting on 40 for the 1st wicket in just six overs.
But when the skipper fell for 7, it was up to youngster Baker to steady the ship and guide the Stags to victory or relegation looked a near certainty.
Peter Davies did not last long for the second wicket so 2nd XI skipper Martin Baker came to the crease, and provided the stability required with a vital 70-run partnership with in-form batsman, and son, Nathan Baker.
Much to Martin's disgust, he then fell plumb lbw, though for a valuable 19 towards the target.
This meant the arrival of Scott 'quick feet' Hopkins, and after watching how it's done by youngster Baker, Scotty waved some classy magic of his own.
Then Nathan Baker gave the crowd something to cheer about by smashing two massive sixes, one out into the road.
This player is a huge talent and has a very positive future ahead of him.
But then, with Barry needing only four runs for victory, Baker unfortunately fell for a well deserved and match winning performance of 119.
Barry reached Radyr's total with eight overs to spare for the loss of only four wickets a much-needed result for the Stags that lifts them off the foot of the table.
SECONDS
Barry Athletic 2nds travelled away to Hoovers in another relegation battle, when they lost the toss and were asked to bat.
Barry opened the batting with Steve 'Chocco' Jones and Kieran 'Kezza' Davies, and with Kezza falling early, a lot of pressure was on Chocco, who excelled himself by scoring his normal season's total in one innings with a fine 21.
Unfortunately for Barry nobody really got going and their miserable innings came to an end with the score on 107-10.
After tea it was Barry's turn to take the field but they failed to really dominate the innings, despite another impressive spell of bowling from under 15 star Jake Griffiths and an even better show of bowling from under 13 Ethan Aherne.
Both have very bright futures, hopefully in the Stags' colours.
Unfortunately Hoovers reached the target with the loss of only 3 wickets, which leaves Barry in the relegation zone while Hoovers move out of it.
The 3rd XI and Midweek XI matches were both cancelled.
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