Stags in second defeat of season (From Barry And District News)

Stags in second defeat of season

8:20am Thursday 28th May 2009

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(0)

BARRY Athletic 1st XI, currently sitting fourth from bottom in Division 2 of the South Wales Cricket League, travelled to fellow pre-season title contenders – Ebbw Vale CC, needing a win to boost their own title ambitions. Ebbw Vale CC won the toss and elected to bowl first.

Barry began smoothly as opening batsmen, Lee Morgan and Nathan Baker, were able to tame the Ebbw Vale attack. Neither batsman looked out of form as they both hit 50.

The Stags were flowing along nicely with 119-0 in the 35th over. However, things went completely wrong from there on. Wickets fell continuously and the Stags were under pressure. Fortunately, Lee Morgan was able to battle for 48 overs until he was dismissed for 62. Apart from Nathan Baker (top score 66), there was little other resistance from a batting point of view. Barry struggled over the line, but finished with a respectable 185-9 from their 50 overs.

After the mid session interval, Barry knew they had to battle hard to stand any chance against a strong Ebbw Vale side with plenty of batting. There was a decent bowling display by the ever present, Peter Hellyar, who had been given the news that Hull City FC had escaped relegation at Newcastle’s expense. He bowled magnificently for his figures of 2-30 from 11 overs.

However, Hellyar had to be removed from the bowling attack due to a hamstring injury. This kick-started Ebbw Vale’s innings and with the batting performances of B Rawerda (80) and Jamie Nancarrow (53 no), Ebbw Vale CC reached the 186 target in the 38th over, only losing 3 wickets.

2ND XI STRUGGLE Barry Athletic 2nd XI, boosted by the return of club legend – Steve ‘Chocco’ Jones, played host to Division 1 high-flyers, Croesyceiliog CC. The return of Jones sparked a standing ovation from the Stag faithful – cheering in their thousands. Barry skipper, Martin Baker, won the toss and elected to bat first, after he was given some much needed advice from club mascot, Wesley Baker.

Things began slowly as opening batsmen, Peter Davies and Steve Jones, battled hard, against the impressive bowling attack of C. Hurley and I. Watkins, until the first wicket fell with Jones being bowled by an unstoppable jaffer of a ball, bringing in skipper – Martin Baker.

He never settled and was dismissed two balls into his innings, going for a duck. Batsmen further down the order struggled to cope with the immense bowling attack. There was some resistance with the bat (P. Davies 28, B. Usswald 25, J Gee 22) but the Stags were all out for a less than impressive 150 in only 40 overs.

The highlight of the day was the spectacular set of teas, provided by legendary tea lady, Nicola Baker, assisted by Gemma Baker and Ceri Thomas. Both sets of players were highly appreciative of what was on offer and dish of the day, voted by club legends, Steve Jones and Glan Williams, was the delightful Fruit Salad.

The half time entertainment was again postponed for the weekend due to the highly advertised Survival Sunday. The Stag faithful wished Hull City chairman, Peter Hellyar, all the best of luck in their final match of the season, versus Man United at the KC Stadium.

The second innings began and from ball one Croesyceiliog looked to settle this match as quickly as possible by smashing boundary after boundary. J. Jones made the Stag attack look very average and from that point onwards, Croesyceiliog never looked back.

They suffered one hiccup along the way, when fast bowler Joe Myers bowled an ‘absolute pearler’ of a ball to remove the off stump, dismissing J. Lewis for 32. By then, the job was already done from a Croesyceiliog point of view and with the batting exhibition of J. Jones (104 no), Croesyceiliog secured the win and a maximum 20 points to Barry’s 2 points.

Things are not looking good for the 2nd XI with three defeats in their opening three games.

GAME OF TWO HALVES Barry 3rd XI played host to Brecon CC on a fine summer’s day. The Stag faithful were in full voice as the captains tossed up. Brecon won the toss and elected to bat first. The Barry team saw three changes from the side that lost convincingly to Pentyrch a fortnight ago. Ian Gadd, Edryd Thomas and Sam Johnson came in for the outgoing Richie Roberts, Elliot Clissord and out of form Andrew Buckland.

The Stags began with Andy Ellis and Callum Twomey. Both bowlers put Brecon under pressure from the first ball, which produced an exceptional run out from Nathan Clemett – hitting the stumps directly. Things got even better when regular 1st XI batsman, S. Williams, was dismissed for a duck, after a fine catch from Ashley Baker.

It was all too easy for the Stags, as wickets were falling rapidly. Magnificent figures from all four bowlers included Andy Ellis (1-7 from 5 overs), Callum Twomey (3-17 from 5 overs), Sam Johnson (2-7 from 4 overs) and Ashley Baker (3-14 from 4.5 overs). Brecon were dismissed for an embarrassing 49 all out in 18.5 overs.

A marvellous set of teas was produced by Denise Walklett. All the players enjoyed the food and ice lollies were provided, as a treat for the players. The standard of the teas were raised significantly after this display. Dish of the day was given to the chocolate profiteroles on display.

Barry got ready to bat after tea. They needed only 50 runs from 71 overs. However, the second innings was a mirror image of the first. Lack of experience in the Barry batting order was clearly shown as wickets were tumbling fast. Barry collapsed from 16-0…to 31-7 in the 13th over, with batsmen John Phillips, Dominic Lack, Nathan Clemett, Ian Gadd and Simon Phillips all quacked up with ducks.

Barry needed a batsman to stay with Edryd Thomas, who was battling away at one end, and they got one as ‘Stag of the Match’, Ashley Baker formed a much needed partnership with Thomas. Both youngsters helped Barry to scrape a draw with Brecon CC, Barry were also bowled out for 49 (Edryd Thomas 15, Ashley Baker 13, Tom Ellis 13).

The next round of league fixtures bring much needed games for the Stags, with Barry 1st XI hosting Division Two surprise package, Creigiau CC. Barry 2nd XI travel to newly promoted Brecon CC and Barry 3rd XI pay a visit to Ponthir CC. All three matches are must win games if the Stags are to get out of trouble.

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(0)