This week’s report as the Ghostwriter is back!

Hendy v Ystradgynlais – 14th June 2008

SWCA Div 5

Following a disasterous 3 weeks in which Ystrad slumped to 3 heavy defeats and also unveiled their third captain of the summer, they returned to winning ways against Hendy.

New acting skipper Eddie King, hampered yet again by only having 10 players on the park won a crucial toss and invited the hosts to bat first on track that had enough green in it to give encouragement.

Opening bowlers Luke Owen and Bradley Williams were given the opportunity to make amends for recent difficulties and it was Williams who looked the sharper as Owen struggled to find his rhythm conceding some easy boundaries early on.

Williams though came good and bowled opener Stephens with a delivery that kept a little low for 11 leaving the hosts on 12-1. He then dismissed D Williams for 4 caught by wicketkeeper Holsgrove to leave the hosts 27-2.

S Williams then joined C James at the wicket and were going well until D Williams was bowled for 11.

S Williams was going well until he inexplicably went for a single that was never there and was run out by Kerry “Mr Chips” Williams for 23.

This signalled the start of a collapse as Williams proceeded to rip through the middle order with an accurate spell of medium paced bowling, wicketkeeper Holsgrove assisting with three further catches, finishing his 15 over spell with 5-25.

With the hosts reeling on 80-8 the remaining batsmen played well and without fear as they took a shine to Emyr Laurence’s bowling with W Walters (19), J Owen (15 not out) and last man out C Roberts (29) taking the total up to 143 all out.

In reply, Ystrad made a steady start with King and Holsgrove, then with the score on 26, Holsgrove was given out LBW for 6 by the returning Lee “Bucknor” Morgan. Holsgrove having the cheek post match to claim he had been the victim of a dubious decision due to an inside. From my vantage point on the ground the decision was “plum”.

King was joined by Martin Griffiths and they continued to whittle away at the total, Griffiths surviving a strong appeal for caught behind off the bowling of Dewi Thomas, turned down by Kerry Williams. King was second out with the score on 44 for 21 when he was spectacularly caught in the gulley off the bowling of Anthony Mathias.

Liam Delaney soon made his way back to the pavillon when he was sold down the river by Griffiths calling him through for a run that was never there, run out for 1. Bucknor Morgan fared little better when he was fourth man out for 6 with the score on 54 when he was comprehensively bowled by Matthias.

With nerves starting to set in and Hendy sniffing a chance of victory Bradley Williams joined Griffiths and their early partnership was patchy but once the opening pair of Mathias and Thomas had completed their allocation, the pair took full advantage of some exceedlingly wayward bowling to put on a partnership of 90 in little over 11 overs. Ystrad cantering home to victory by 6 wickets with 14 overs to spare. Griffiths ending undefeated on a well crafted 60 continuing an excellent season and Williams unbeaten thanks to a billigerant 39.

Match Result

Hendy 143 all out

Ystrad 144-4

Hendy 5 pts, Ystrad 24 pts.

Team:  E. King (capt), D. Holsgrove (wkt), L. Delaney, L. Morgan, M. Griffiths, B Williams, L. Owen, K. Williams, E. Laurence, M. Donnelly.

Match Stats:

L. Owen 12.5 – 2- 52 -2

B. Williams 15-5-25-5

M. Donnelly 11-4-21-2

E. Laurence 6-0-36-0

E. King 21, M Griffiths 60 not out, B Williams 39 not out.

Gold Award Winners: M Griffiths / B. Williams