24 May 2012
Two days, two matches for the Under 13s this week in blazing south Wales sunshine. In an effort to claw back some of the lost playing time this year, Richard “Call me Fiona” Crook arranged back-to-back friendly matches away to Creigiau and home to Bridgend Town.
With coaching from Will “I can catch a ball with my moob” Ryan and occasional input from Glenn “Don’t go there” Newberry, the juniors returned a 50-50 record. On Monday, the game at Creigiau saw the Manor u-XIII XI put Creigiau into bat. Ike Hurford ripped through the top order of the hosts, finishing with 3 wickets for 3 runs. Kayleigh Powell also bowled well. The fielding was superb, with no less than three direct hit run outs from distance and some excellent catching, not least from 13s debutant Louis Reed. Creigiau finished on 62-9 from 25 overs.
In reply, Miskin batted well to reach the target within 15 overs. Matt Mullins (20 not out) and Ike Hurford (22 n.o.) were the stars along with Lewys Ryan who also got into double figures. The innings was extended to give the team some batting practice and there were good performances from Ben Crook and Jack Smith.
The following evening, with Glyn Parc looking glorious in the evening sunshine, Bridgend Town were welcomed. Batting first, the visitors benefitted from some big hitting from Elliott Rees (37 n.o.) and generous bowling to reach 99 from their 20 overs. The star man with the ball was Ike Hurford who is bowling really well this year. Ike took 3 wickets - all clean bowled – to demonstrate to the others that by bowling straight you take wickets. Bowl wides and no-balls and you gift the game to the opposition. Simples.
Miskin made a brave effort to reach the imposing total with important contributions from Callum David, Lewys (31n.o) and Matt (24). After the retirement of Lewys and the dismissal of Matt, Ike and Ben tried valiantly (in front of a Canadian contingent) to chase the game, but finished 11 runs short.
Two good games, two sunny evenings: here comes the summer!
Will and Fiona
8 June 2011
Miskin Manor U13s 110 – 3, Cregiau U13s 70 – 8
A friendly fixture with near neighbours Cregiau allowed Miskin to rotate their squad and gain valuable game experience. Miskin openers Cai Hurford and Dylan Nash relished the opportunity of an early bat, both playing with confidence and intent. The pair added 38 before Dylan was bowled for 23 including two sixes. Cai’s continued to bat fluently; retiring unbeaten on 28. If Cregiau were relieved to dispatch the opening pair their relief was soon shattered with Michael Diamond striking three sixes in a rapid knock before he too retired on 25. It was not all one way traffic however, and Cregiau’s T Adsett dismissed three Miskin batsmen in his three overs for the cost of only 2 runs.
The target of 111 to win was, for suspicious cricketers, a daunting one and Cregiau’s confidence was further tested when Lewys Ryan cleaned bowled their opener first ball of the innings. Cregiau’s C Herbert showed able resistance and contributed a valuable 23 to their run chase but Miskin remained in control with Keiron MacGrath, Owen Grant and Joe Vellum each claiming two wickets. Bob Davies adding the other wicket to fall in Cregiau’s total of 70.
Thanks to Martin at Cregiau for offering us the match, which both sides contested in a sporting manner.
Carl Gehler
Coach
7 June 2011
Miskin Manor U13s 87 – 5, Upper Rhondda U13s 85 – 5
In their first home match of the league campaign, Miskin entertained Upper Rhondda. Having decided to bat Upper Rhondda’s skipper, Jacob Ovendale, immediately attacked Miskin’s opening bowlers. Dealing strictly in boundaries he amassed 26 in quick time and had to retire. The run rate fell sharply thereafter and wickets started to fall with Cai Hurford taking two wickets for the cost of only one run. Miskin’s bowlers bowled with control but a late flurry of runs from G Pugh, who retired on 25, left Miskin chasing 86 to win.
Having assessed the target required Miskin’s batters played patiently, keeping the scoreboard ticking over at, or above, the required run rate; the task being made easier by a generous number of extras. Openers Michael Diamond (14) and Lewis Cartwright (8) gave Miskin a solid start and skipper Joe Vellum added a valuable 16 runs before he was dismissed with Miskin in sight of victory. Andrew Chau promptly dispatched the first ball of the eighteenth over to the boundary to see safely Miskin home.
Carl Gehler
Coach
24 May 2011
Miskin Manor U13s 93 – 4, Llantwit Fardre U13s 50 – 5
An all-round team performance saw Miskin to a convincing first win of the season against Llantwit Fardre. Miskin won the toss and batted first. Openers Tom Prosser (12) and Ike Hurford (17) batted steadily through the early overs but both fell trying to accelerate the run rate on a very slow wicket. Keiron Williams and Owain Ellis both then reached double figures in quick time which allowed Miskin to post a respectable 93.
A highly convincing bowling and fielding display meant that Miskin always stayed in control of the game. All Miskin outfield players had a chance to bowl and everyone bowled with accuracy and purpose. Keiron Williams, behind the stumps, ensured that nothing passed his gloves. B Garwood and Geraint Jones both reached double figures for Llanwit before both fell to fine bowling from Andrew Chau. Michael Diamond also claimed a brace of wickets with Tom Prosser adding a late wicket. Miskin skipper Joe Vellum led by example throughout claiming three well taken catches, including a brave effort to remove Llantwit’s captain and dangerous opener James Bull.
Carl Gehler
Coach, Miskin Manor U13s
11 May 2011
Hoovers U13 v Miskin Manor U13s
Hoovers 65 – 9, Miskin Manor 64 – 4
Miskin suffered defeat by the narrowest of margins in the season opener with Hoovers. On a damp pitch with limited bounce runs were hard to come by and Miskin bowling first took early wickets, Owain Ellis claiming three wickets for no runs against in an accurate opening spell. Wickets fell regularly but Hoovers were indebted to a fine innings by E Bevon who made 34 (after returning to bat after an earlier retirement).
In reply Miskin started steadily with both openers Dylan Nash and Lewis Ryan batting safely through the early part of the innings. Lewis Ryan was able to accelerate the scoring and was scoring freely when he reached a 25 and had to retire. Skipper Joe Vellum kept up the scoring rate and fine running between the wickets left Miskin looking for 3 runs to win off the final ball. Good fielding and a run out left Miskin stranded a run short with Joe Vellum not out on 21.
It was an exciting and nail biting finish to a game played in good spirit. Both teams can look forward to the rest of the season with some confidence.
Carl Gehler
Miskin Manor U13s Coach
