Mixed fortunes for Stags (From Barry And District News)

Mixed fortunes for Stags

7:30am Thursday 9th July 2009

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THE MATCH between Ian Gadd’s Barry Athletic CC 1st XI and Vale CC was cancelled last Saturday, due to heavy showers.

Despite not playing at all, Barry Athletic CC 1st XI move off the bottom of Division Two, thanks to Ponthir CC’s 9 wicket defeat by Machen CC.

VICTORY FOR 2ND XI

Barry Athletic CC 2nd XI, boosted by the return of captain, Martin Baker, hosted top of the table Panteg CC at the Barry Oval in front of a sell out crowd.

Showers before the game was scheduled to start meant that the match began at 2.15 pm and the match was reduced to 44 overs after a pitch inspection at 1.45pm.

Panteg CC captain Gareth Meredith won the toss and chose to bat first.

Panteg opening batsmen, Kyle Hazard and Ben Mayers, began the first innings at a steady rate, scoring 38 runs from their first 10 overs.

Although the Stag bowling attack weren’t taking wickets, the batsmen did not take full advantage and they were punished when 3 wickets fell in the space of 5 overs, all being taken by Billy Usswald.

Going from 63-0 to 77-3, Panteg looked as if they would be dismissed cheaply. That was until skipper, Gareth Meredith (46), James Lewis (43) and Sean Clarke (34) chipped in and the 44 overs were completed with Panteg finishing on 228-7.

The eagerly anticipated return of legendary tea lady, Nicola Baker, was recognised as she produced a magical spread for the players to enjoy. Nicola’s ‘dish of the day’, a delightful fruit salad, was given a unanimous vote by both sets of players!

The second innings got under way after the mid session interval, with Damon Leake and Owain Davies opening the batting for the Stags. It was a slow start for the Stags, being restricted to 21-2 from their first 10 overs.

Things weren’t looking good for the Stags, with out-of-form Nathan Baker coming in to bat alongside Leake.

But Baker and Leake produced a magnificent batting exhibition for the crowd, hitting boundary after boundary, which included three massive 6s from Nathan.

The third wicket partnership of 194 from 188 balls took the game away from Panteg CC despite Damon Leake falling for a magnificent 94.

Nathan finished off Panteg CC, hitting the winning runs to cap off a scintillating batting performance, finishing on 98 no. Barry Athletic CC 2nd XI won by 7 wickets with 17 balls to spare.

Barry 2nd XI stay in the relegation zone of Division One, but they have closed the gap on the sides above them.

DEFEAT FOR 3RD XI

Whilst Panteg 2nd XI were leaving the Barry Oval, Panteg 3rd XI returned to face a young Barry 3rd XI, captained by Nathan Baker.

Despite overcast weather conditions, no reductions were made to the game. Stag captain Baker won the toss and elected to bowl first.

Panteg CC opening batsmen James Reid and Mark Collins immediately took control of the match, hitting boundary after boundary and making the Stag bowling attack look average.

Reid quickly pressed on the acceleration button and rocketed to 138 in the space of 30 overs in a 222 run partnership with Mark Collins.

This was brought to an end when youngster Dominic Lack bowled Reid. Lack also captured the wicket of Collins (63) in his next over, to finish with figures of 2-29.

Wickets began to fall regularly from then on with bowlers Mitchell Taylor-Moore (1-56) and Andy Ellis (1-54) each taking a wicket. A run out by Nathan Baker also helped as Panteg CC reached 258-5 from their 40 overs.

The mid session interval was capped off by a fine spread of teas by Denise Walklett. One player said: "It’s a shame our tea lady doesn’t do her teas this good!"

Dish of the day, voted by Club Captain Ian Gadd, was the chicken and bacon sandwiches, which was the first dish to be eaten up.

The second innings began with a rain-affected outfield, and Stag opening batsmen Ben Eastman and Edryd Thomas failed to cope with the threatening pace of opening bowler, Christopher Mee, who tore through the top order.

Barry were struggling at 41-4 from the first 11 overs, until the batting partnership of Nathan Baker and Mitchell Taylor-Moore restored some hope for the Stags.

Both batsmen coped with the bowling attack and the conditions to bring the Stags to 106-4 from 20 overs, which included two huge 6s from Nathan Baker – one of which was hit out of the ground.

However, soon after drinks, Nathan departed for 50 and Mitchell followed shortly after, scoring 47.

Barry were struggling and apart from a late cameo from Callum Twomey (27 no), no-one could cope with Panteg’s bowling attack. Barry were eventually dismissed for 183 after 37 overs, losing by 75 runs.

FIXTURES

Saturday, July 11: Barry 1st XI v Ton Pentre CC; Newport Fugitives CC v Barry 2nd XI.

Sunday, July 12: Machen CC v Barry 3rd XI.

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