Cardiff Cavaliers Cricket Club

Match Report

Pontnewynydd, Sunday 20 June 2010

Pont'd 302/7 (40ovs, McVeigh 2/34, Chapman 2/40, Marchant 2/56). Cavs 180ao (39ovs, Marchant 59no, Chapman 36, McVeigh 24). Lost by 122 runs

Scorecard

With an unusually pleasant June day set for South Wales the brave men of the Cardiff Cavaliers headed up into the valleys in hope of victory and light refreshment. With everyone present and correct the toss was lost and Pontnewynydd decided to take to the wicket and show us what valley batting is all about.

Messrs Duffy and Chapman opened for the Cavaliers and some very tight bowling ensued, keeping the openers fairly subdued run wise for the first few overs. A tough chance for a catch for Mr. Sagoo far down at the bottom of the hill was our only initial near breakthrough off Mr. Chapman until said bowlers sustained ferocity brought the breakthrough in the 8^th over with the stumps nearly snapping under the intent. With Mr. Duffy continuing to suppress in the 9^th Chapman continued and took another wicket as his just reward for a great opening spell. A dropped catch by Mr. Ward in Duffy’s last over of the opening spell tore away his chance of a reward and after a change at both ends Pontnewynydd’s numbers 3 and 4 began to open up a little and get the scoreboard moving in a positive (for them anyway) fashion.

Mr. Elliot’s warm up over developed into a much tighter spell and Mr. Sagoo came into the attack with the enthusiasm and extended follow-through that we expect on such occasions. In a bid to stop the batsmen in their tracks Captain Marchant ordered Mr. Davis in for a change of pace. Lulling them into a false sense of security the first three went for maximum but the following three dot balls forced the batsmen to carefully consider their shot choice in future overs and the tension was palpable. Without the breakthrough and the runs beginning to mount Captain Marchant came into the attack, in the mean time asking the disguised Mr. McVeigh to shed his gloves from behind the stumps and reveal himself to the opposition. Mr. Steadman took over the defence with particular enthusiasm and the much needed wickets began to fall. Captain Marchant’s breakthrough, like the pied pipers whistle, brought the children of Pontnewynydd to the crease and their demise was inevitable at his and McVeigh’s cruel hands. A great diving catch from Steadman in his new position behind the stumps off McVeigh was the last of the wickets as Pontnewynydd ended their 40 overs apparently 299 for 7. As we congratulated each other for successfully stopping the 300 it was noted the chase was for 303 to win. A tall order as much needed tea was taken.

With Mr. Sagoo seeming to be the only one talking about a successful chase and Mr. Steadman actually thinking about doing it Chapman and Steadman entered the arena. Strong shots with plenty of time ahead by Chapman was countered by thoughts of the chase and positive play by Steadman ended with a catch, gone for 9. In came Ward at three, stifled by the spin and another catch taken at mid-on, gone for 9. Mr. Duffy’s defensive play went unrewarded and Mr. Elliot played alongside Chapman eventually falling to a bowler who avoided the pipers call earlier in the day. With Elliot bowled the Captain came to the crease and both batsmen began to work well together until Chapman was gone, LBW, a fine 36. A sublime 5 from Wyn Pritchard saw his first ever Cavalier boundary, cut gracefully over the lurking slips before an unfortunate run-out with cries of “Run, Rabbit, Run!” from the boundary. A short cameo from Sagoo was followed by a slightly longer stay from Davis with Captain Marchant keeping the runs going at the other end in the meantime. With McVeigh then hitting a brutal 24 from 14 balls before falling and Jonathon Thomas coming in at the death to keep us at least alive in the final over the Cavaliers were finished, Captain Marchant left at the crease on a fine 59 not out.

Champagne moment: For a moment of individual flair as I see it then Mr Wyn Pritchard’s first boundary for the Cavaliers.

Team: Jimmy Marchant (capt), Jason Duffy (vice capt), Michael McVeigh (wkt), Andrew Steadman, Wyn Pritchard, Bill Ward, Pritpal Sagoo, Jonathan Thomas, Glenn Chapman, Gary Elliott, Steve Davis