AFTER a fortnight of frustration thanks to the weather, Barry Wanderers travelled into the Valleys to play Mountain Ash last Saturday in a bid to kick-start their season after their previous defeat to Bridgend and two postponements.

The sky was overcast and the pitch damp, so skipper Keir had no hesitation in putting his hosts in to bat after winning the toss for what would be a reduced 40 overs match.

However, the pitch proved to be a bit of a red herring and despite good and accurate bowling from Fenton and Beckett, Mountain Ash's opening pair of Roberts and Coles quickly put on 35 for the first wicket.

This prompted Keir to bring on first-team debutant John Williams and it proved an inspired move as he had Coles caught at Gully by Barratt for 16 in his first over.

Williams would bowl through his allotted 9 overs with great accuracy but with no further success, finishing with very tight figures of 9-2-28-1.

Mountain Ash continued scoring runs with relative ease; Roberts made batting look comfortable on what should have been a difficult track.

The Wanderers bowlers put in a great effort but they were not backed up by their fielders.

After Blundell had Shelliard bowled for 8, Roberts and Moses scored 51 runs in 8 overs and put their side in a strong position at 101-2 off 23.

The breakthrough came when Roberts was stumped by Keir off Blundell for 52 and this should have been the opportunity the Wanderers needed to rip through their hosts. However, a number of dropped catches allowed Moses and Harris to push on and by the time Moses fell for 71 off the bowling of Lanagan in the 40th over, the hosts had already notched up 195.

They added three more to finish on 198-4, with Harris not out on 32. A good effort from the hosts but helped along their way by a failure in applying the basics from the Wanderers.

The visitors were aware that they could put it right with the bat, although the chase didn't start well with Bowen and Thomas going for 2 and 0 respectively. Soon afterwards Barratt also went cheaply, caught off Cooper for 3.

The Wanderers were 41-3 off 10 overs, the only plus being that amongst the chaos, "Mr Cricket" Gareth Lanagan was holding everything together and continuing the great form he had shown all season.

He was now joined at the crease by Rob Tucker and through a combination of Lanagan's sumptuous strokeplay and Tucker's hefty blows, they guided their team to a good position of 116-3. Lanagan was caught off the bowling of Williams for 62 but young Luke Denning and Tucker kept the scoreboard ticking over and the Wanderers looked comfortable on 161-4 with 10 overs remaining.

However, Denning and Tucker fell in quick succession for 11 and 61 and suddenly the Seasiders were under pressure with two new men at the crease. The tension was cranked up further when Fenton was bowled by Harris without scoring.

The Wanderers had stalled a little but Keir and Blundell were aware that all they had to do was go at 5 an over and victory would be theirs. Mountain Ash brought the field in and runs were hard to come by, but some good running and clever shot placement allowed Blundell and Keir to creep nearer to their target.

They held their nerve and reached the required 199 with 3 wickets remaining in the 39th over. Keir finished on 16 not out, and Blundell 14 not out. A tense game but a victory that was the result of a good batting effort against a good bowling outfit.

The Wanderers' promotion push continues at home next week against Lisvane.

The SofaSofa Barry Wanderers Man of the Match was Rob Tucker for his big hitting and calm head in the middle overs, which set up the victory for his side.

WANDERERS DAY TO REMEMBER

THE EPIC journey to Axbridge, Somerset, for Barry Wanderers President's XI game against Axbridge XI on Wednesday, July 15, began with the sun beating down much to the relief of Mike Ashton and his merry bunch of men.

A smooth journey on a deluxe bus set the tone for the day, and arrival at "The Lamb" pub was 11.15am. A few cheeky pre-match beers and meal were enjoyed by all, as stories were told of bygone days of Wanderers players past and present.

Captain and President Mike Ashton strode purposefully to the wicket and elected to bat after winning the toss.

C.Barnes and T.Swannick, making a rare guest appearance, opened the batting in style, rolling back the years and scoring freely, hitting some lovely shots.

Barnes continued his recent good form with a sparkling 6, but in the 17th over he yet again managed to get out in the 40s, the fourth time this summer. Swannick followed soon after for 21 bringing Chairman R.Tucker and "young" M.Ellis to the wicket.

These two showed rustiness at first but soon took to the Axbridge attack. Ellis was particularly pleased to keep up with the free-scoring Tucker and after putting on 90 on for the 3rd wicket, Ellis departed for 42 with Tucker going the next over for 44.

E.Toozer and the ever reliable A. Fenton took the total past 200 as the President's select finished on 209 for 6 off 40 overs, a highly respectable score.

A lovely tea with home baked cakes including a delicious lemon drizzle was settling on the Wanderers' hefty stomachs as they took the field to defend their total.

L.Walters showed the 2nd XI what they were missing with a superb spell of bowling sending the opener back to the pavilion thanks to a fine catch from Colin Rowlands.

Ellis at the other end was less impressive (blaming the second piece of lemon drizzle for his 5 mediocre overs) and was replaced by Rowlands who, thanks to a diving Richards catch which was voted "Champagne" moment of the day, sent back the Axbridge opener leaving them reeling on 66 for 2.

A.Fenton was brought on to bowl to add some pace to the attack and this immediately slowed the run rate down. The added pressure led to some quick singles being taken and one of these led to Brian Gist whipping off the bails for a run out of the dangerous Samways, ably assisted by Ellis.

Chairman Tucker and part time bowler Barnes were then brought on by skipper Ashton and both took a fair bit of punishment as Axbridge upped the ante and got themselves back into the game.

Grimstead was bowled by Barnes for a quickfire 22 before Packham and Jelbert batted superbly to swing the game back in Axbridge’s favour and set up a tense finish with national pride at stake.

As the sun blazed down on the beautiful rural setting it was game on, and in fitting with the occasion, President Mike Ashton brought himself on to bowl and immediately removed the dangerous Jelbert lbw for 43 and Peters for 2.

Two quick wickets followed and at 8.30pm with the shadows closing in it was left to Fenton to bowl Saunders and put the seal on a great win by 32 runs. To soothe the already aching limbs a return visit was in order to the "Lamb" pub where speeches and match awards were given and several drinks were consumed by the party.

However, the real fun and games started on the bus journey home as four bottles of scotch and a bottle of champagne were consumed whilst Messrs Gist recited poetry, Messrs Ashton and Toozer recited the club song, Messr Barnes ate a large portion of chicken and chips and in amongst all this furore Messr Durose slept quietly through it all.

A fantastic day and thanks to President Mike Ashton who organised the trip with military precision. Thanks also to David Darlington and Richard Morgan who umpired the game with great aplomb and to Peter Daughton who was scorer whilst under the greatest of scrutiny.

A day that will long live in the memory for all those that travelled although some will remember it more than others.

President's XI 209 for 6 off 40 overs (C.Barnes 48, R.Tucker 44, M.Ellis 42).

Axbridge XI 177 all out (M.Jelbert, D.Samways 32). M.Ashton 2-8, A.Fenton 2-25.

President's XI win by 32 runs.