Barry Wanderers just keep on winning! (From Barry And District News)

Barry Wanderers just keep on winning!

7:40am Thursday 25th June 2009

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BARRY Wanderers welcomed Whitchurch Heath Thirds to Hayes Point in Sully last weekend, with the hosts looking to maintain their 100 per cent winning start to the season.

Again, it started with skipper Keir maintaining his abysmal coin tossing record and his side were asked to field on what was a sunny but windy afternoon by the sea.

The visitors made a good start with Harsh and Amos putting on 49 for the first wicket. The partnership was broken when Blundell replaced Hassett at the hospital end and had Amos bowled for 10.

This sparked a middle order collapse for Whitchurch Heath with an excellent run-out from George removing Hopcraft for 2 and Evan Jones, opening the bowling on his first-team debut, claiming his first wicket in the last over of his allotted 10, Wasie going for a duck, spectacularly caught by Lanagan at gully.

This marked an excellent opening spell from Jones, who went for only 14 off his 10. A very impressive start from the young man and the wicket was great reward for a fine effort.

Pathak then joined the attack and after Lamprey was ecstatically stumped by Keir off Blundell for 1, Pathak and Tucker ran through the rest of the Cardiff side's line-up, claiming 3 and 2 wickets respectively.

There was resistance from Asseley and skipper Bishop but once Lanagan had the latter caught behind by Keir (who had left the field briefly after being hit in the face by a throw that hit the edge of the square and shot into his now blackened eye), Whitchurch Heath were all out for 168.

As has been the case for almost all this summer so far, the chase for the Wanderers was never really in doubt. Lanagan and Sherriff seem to be spending more time together in the middle than they do at home with their lovely wife and girlfriend and this was again the case as they calmly put on 104 for the first wicket.

It was a chanceless partnership and it took a breakdown in communication to break them up, with Lanagan being run-out like a dog for 50. This brought Paul George to the crease and, together with Sherriff, he saw the Seasiders home to secure the team's third 9-wicket victory of the season.

Ed Sherriff also helped himself to his third half century of the season with 64no, and George was left unbeaten on 25no. Despite ending the day looking as if he'd just had 12 rounds with Joe Calzaghe, skipper Jamie Keir was happy knowing that, at almost the half-way point in the season, he takes his unbeaten table-toppers to rivals Bridgend next week in a great position to kick on and push for promotion straight back to Division Three.

The SofaSofa Barry Wanderers man of the match was Evan Jones for his opening spell of 10 overs, 1 wicket for 14. A terrific debut that deserved more in terms of wickets, but set up his side's victory.

SECONDS

The Seconds looked to claim top spot from current leaders Penarth on a blustery day at the Penarth Athletic Ground. The home side won the toss and asked the Wanderers to bat on a decent track.

A steady start ensued between the two Chrises – Barnes and Sanders – the former being the aggressor. An opening stand of above 60 was spoilt when Sanders opted for a quick single, Barnes deciding that it was too close and thus Sanders was run out by his partner in the process.

After a mini collapse, Ridgwell continued his fine form with the bat (after surviving a caught off a no-ball scenario). Barnes fell for a jug-avoidance 49 after missing a full straight one which should have been put in the tennis courts.

With late cameos from James Griffiths (20) and Andy Fenton (28no), Wanderers ended on a decent 219 for 9. After a tidy tea, Penarth wanted to get on with it. Unnecessary goading from the 1st team proved the openers' downfall with Fenton removing them both.

The mercurial Elwyn Toozer – SofaSofa man of the match - returned a superb five-for which pretty much finished off Penarth’s challenge – other wickets falling to Ashton and Griffiths. BWCC won by a comfortable margin and now occupying the top of the league.

SUNDAY

The Sunday XI looked to continue their fine form led by Club skipper James Hassett on a breezy chilly afternoon at Hayes Point. The away side arrived an hour late and opted to field.

Gareth King and Darryl Griffiths opened for BWCC and it was the latter who was first to go. when the rapid Webb got one to rise and Griffiths gloved behind. New recruit Dean strode to the crease and between himself and King put BWCC in a fine position.

After Dean Thomas was out, King just got stronger and stronger and passed 50 and 100 with complete control and carried his bat. A fine innings of 120no with some wonderful shots to all parts of the ground, ably assisted by Phil Wolfenden and BWCC posting a useful 223 of their 40 overs.

After a great tea – prepped by Ashy – the Wanderers looked to go through Porth quickly. However, their skipper rose to the challenge and contributed over half of his team’s runs with a superb 100.

Wickets went to John Williams, Andy Fenton, Paul George and Jimmy Hassett who got the skipper with a superb Yorker and BWCC ran out winners by 30 runs.

A great game played in the best of spirits. SofaSofa man of the match was Gareth King following his majestic unbeaten century.

This weekend the 1sts and 2nds go head to head with high flying Bridgend, looking to consolidate their positions at the top of their respective leagues.

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