WANDERERS travelled to the scenic destination of Waunfawr Park for their latest league fixture against Cross Keys.

Vice skip Mark Ellis won the toss and had no hesitation in batting with the skies deep blue and the sun beating down.

After a promising start, Barnes chased a wide ball and got a snick to the keeper for 6.

When Luke Denning and Colin Rowlands were dismissed in quick succession with the score on 31-3 things were looking precarious.

A mini revival took place between Toozer and Ellis before the latter was bowled round his legs for 21.

At 62 for 4 in came Tom Ridgewell to play a match winning innings and his 62 not out at almost a run a ball swung the momentum into the Wanderers favour, a classy knock by anyone’s standards.

Elwyn Toozer played the anchor role for a vital 30 before he was bowled, the partnership being worth 79.

At 141 for 5, Rob "The Blacksmith" Tucker, promoted up the order, played a typical swashbuckling innings and hit 19 quick runs to enable the Wanderers to post a score of 178 for 7 in their allocated 45 overs.

BWCC had to field and bowl well to continue their winning run.

The Cross Keys openers were very watchful to the opening bowlers although with Dave "Five Bellies" Morgan bowling a tight line and length it was not long before he clean bowled Shardland for 10. Watkins was his next victim.

A Cross Keys fightback saw skipper Mole produce some fine strokes and the score moved past 50 in the 14th over. Ashton was brought on to replace Tucker and immediately the runs dried up.

Morgan completed his 10 over spell for 29 runs and 2 wickets and the shackles were on.

As Cross Keys looked to increase the run rate, Ashton bowled T Morgan and in Ellis’s first over, he had the dangerous N Mole lbw for 33. Ellis then took 2 further wickets to leave Cross Keys on 75 for 6 and effectively it was game over.

Ashton, bowling an immaculate line and length, finished his spell with figures of 1-13 off 10 overs. Change bowlers Toozer and Furnham continued to turn the screw and a competent run out and Toozer bowling Amos for 5 led to Cross Keys being 90 for 8.

However, some effective and obstinate batting from Ford and Davy saw Cross Keys through to 125 for 8 off their 45 overs and a 53 run victory for the Wanderers.

A good all round effort and 24 points in the bag took Wanderers to 3rd in the table and a chance to keep the push for promotion going.

With a home match this Saturday against Girlings & Croesyceiliog the Wanderers 2nd XI will look to continue their fine form.

Barry Wanderers: 178-7 off 45 overs. T.Ridgewell 62 not out, E.Toozer 30, M.Ellis 21.

Cross Keys: 125-8 off 45 overs N.Mole 33, O.Davies 22 not out. M.Ellis 3-15, D.Morgan 2-29.

Dock View Auto Centre Man of the Match Tom Ridgewell.

Barry Wanderers welcomed Chepstow 3rds to a baking-hot Hayes Point last Saturday. The ground was a picture; the pitch, hard and grassy, and with temperatures soaring it was no surprise when home skipper Keir chose to bat after winning his first toss of the season.

Wanderers again made a terrific start with Lanagan and Sherriff taking full advantage of the conditions by putting on 86 for the first wicket off 19 overs. However, just as the partnership looked primed to kick-on further, it was broken when Sherriff fell to the skipper Starr for 29.

There would be no respite for the visitors though, as all this did was bring man of the moment, Aled Hughes to the crease. Hughes, a winter signing for the Wanderers, was looking for his third successive century, and his second in the league.

He quickly got into his stride and, with Lanagan, they thundered along, guiding their side to 138-1 off 28 overs.

By this time, Lanagan had passed his 50 (his third in the league in a row) and as he looked set for a ton, he was bowled by the resourceful Starr for a wonderful 82.

It's only a matter of time before the seasiders' Mr Reliable goes on for a big score.

The pain didn't stop for Chepstow as Johnson and Hughes accelerated the scoring and the Wanderers brought up the 200 in the 36th over, just 2 wickets down.

With plenty of batting to come, risks were taken and after a good third wicket partnership of 80, Johnson fell for a well crafted 25, and was soon followed by his partner Hughes, who fell short of his hat-trick of tons but still scored a glorious 78.

Chepstow were claiming wickets but the runs kept coming, and although Coleman fell for 6, Barratt (20*) and Hassett (12*) scored quickly and pushed the Wanderers on to 289-5 off their 45 overs.

With runs in hand, the Wanderers attacked, looking for the early breakthrough but Chepstow countered, scoring 34 off their first 5 overs.

Not willing to lie-down, visiting opener Evans took the game to his hosts, but soon Beckett had his partner Bevington bowled and this started a fight-back that pegged the Chepstow batsmen back and controlled their run-rate.

Cresswell also departed, bowled by Beckett. The runs slowed up and soon Chepstow knew they would have to take risks to get close to their target. After 20 overs, Chepstow were on 70-2.

Eager to kick on, shots started to be played, and this worked out wonderfully for off-spinner Barratt, who claimed the 3 vital scalps of Freeman, Sahabeen, and Starr, all looking dangerous. Beckett chipped in with the wicket of Starr Jnr, who looked very accomplished and, once Davies had removed the opener Evans for a classy 46, Wanderers had their guests 128-7 off 28.

Barratt helped himself to another wicket and would have had a five-for if not for a dropped caught and bowled chance.

It was one of six drops from the home side, a sign that there is still work to be done for the Hayes Point men in the quest for promotion. Evan Davies cleaned up the tail and Chepstow were all out in the 39th over for 173.

A good all round performance from the bowlers who toiled away in difficult heat but Davies, Beckett and Barratt were rewarded with a spread of the wickets.

The Sofa Sofa Barry Wanderers Man of the Match was Gareth Lanagan, for his 82; the linchpin of the batting line-up, it was he who set up the daunting winning total.

Barry Wanderers beat Lisvane 3rd XI by 9 wickets on May 23, with Aled Hughes the Sofa Sofa man of the match for his brilliant 112 not out.

The Seconds beat Lisvane 4th XI by 5 wickets, with Rob Tucker the Dock View Car Centre man of the match.

The Sunday XI beat Monkswood by 25 runs. The Spectrum Displays man of the match was Devanka Pathak for his fine 72.