Barry Athletic debutant hits ton as Stags start with a win (From Barry And District News)

Barry Athletic debutant hits ton as Stags start with a win

7:40am Thursday 23rd April 2009

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A FINE, sunny afternoon greeted the opening match at the Barry Oval, between Barry Athletic and Tredegar.

With the outfield being soft, there was no choice but for winning the toss and batting after tea for the Barry Captain, Ian Gadd.

A great spell from the opening bowlers helped the Stags put the pressure on Tredegar and this was picked up by the rest of the team with outstanding displays in the field, with a superb diving catch in the second over.

This was followed by a brilliant reflex catch at short fine leg by promising youngster, Ashley Baker to put an end to the fine spell of batting from danger man A Evans.

He also secured the key wicket of J ‘It was the pitch’s fault’ Herring, bowling him with his off-spin.

Tredegar never really got going after that wicket and fellow off-spinner, Nathan Baker, began picking the middle order and the tail, one by one, finishing with impressive figures of 7-0-20-3.

Tredegar completed their innings on 169-9 from their 40 overs.

The interval brought many thanks, from both sets of players, to Karen who put on a fine spread of food for the tea interval. Her chocolate brownies were voted, unanimously, as ‘dish of the day’.

The mid-session entertainment brought much delight from the fans, as the Darts Premier League came to the Barry Oval, including 14-times World Darts Champion – Phil ‘The Power’ Taylor and World Ranked No 2, James Wade.

The upcoming schedule of darts was switched to the Barry Oval due to the record attendance of 9,500 fans for the game!

The second innings began similarly to the first, with the opening batsmen struggling with the green conditions.

Nathan Baker was first to go with a poor shot to the quickie L Parfitt, playing all around a straight ball, although replays from Stag Sports show an inside edge from the bat.

The next two batsmen to go didn’t have as much luck, when they both departed for low scores, with the Stags struggling on 16-2.

Then, new batsman (and debutant) Pat Prattish took the headlines with a display of how batting should be approached.

Prattish was in no mood to wait. He smashed a record 22 boundaries, including 9 sixes, to secure a first win of the new season as Barry rocketed to 172-3 in just 21 overs.

The Stag faithful gave a standing ovation for Prattish after he amassed 123no from only 52 balls.

After a dazzling performance from the Stags, Tredegar return to the Barry Oval on Saturday. in front of an expected sell out crowd.

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