19 May 2012
Miskin Manor beat Brecon by 110 runs
Brecon home, first game as skipper for Captain “Calamity” Cosgrove who started the day by tossing up late, but showed himself not to be a completely useless tosser (I know Haj, no need), by winning the toss and electing to let Craig the Biffa Pritchard and coach Thomas loose on what seemed a very flat pitch.
The Biffa got out “biffed” by coach Thomas and went cheaply, should Miskin have bowled? Enter stage left, Meado (who by the way is now being fined 25p per day for twittergate), and a good partnership ensued before Coach hit an aerial shot through mid wicket and got caught (well actually, it was to rather than through mid-wicket. Had he hit it through mid wicket, that would not have been out albeit we may have had a major incident on our hands!) Young trigger aka “Moves like Jacka” scored a well taken 20 (odd) before being run out by Meado going for a cheeky 2! (came from the school of Dan Hay runs)!
This setback, and lack of concern for his team mates’ well-being, seemed to bother Meado very little, what a guy, and he went on to score a magnificent century, easily the best century he’s scored this summer, ending on 115no after blocking out the final over!! Despite this batting for averages, the Manor posted an imposing 246-5
Following a marvellous tea, Calamity threw the new ball to newcomer Rhys from the top end (whichever one that is), Nathan coming back, searing pace were let loose on Brecon’s openers. Calamity sensibly holding himself back in case there was a need to buy a wicket later in the innings (I wonder if Leekes – the out of town department store – sell wickets). Both bowled well, Nathan unlucky not to take a wicket but Rhys taking his first 2 wickets for Miskin!
On a sticky wicket reminiscent of the days of Jim Laker, Jim’s former coach when he was a junior, Mike Cockell entered the fray partnered by spin twin (only their parents can tell them apart), Ayersy. A big 6 wickets for Cockell, early contender for the bowling cup and 2 from the devious leg spin of Barry’s player of year for 2012, Ayersy!
Brecon all out, early finish, Champions League final and victory by 110 runs!
All complaints in relation to this report should be directed to Haj and Glenn – no wait a minute, they are in enough trouble as it is – Trigger, complaints to Trigger please.
27 August 2011
Miskin Manor IIs 208 all out, beat Ponthir IIs 77 all out by lots of runs
Captain Ayres and his merry band arrived at Ponthir needing a comprehensive victory and some luck elsewhere, to keep their promotion challenge alive, Matthew “007” Giles landing back in the country from another top secret mission just 11 hours before the start of the game.
Having inspected the green wicket and remarked about the speed of the outfield, Captain Ayres decided to engage the team in some impromptu fielding practice, Brother Ben Edwards deciding on this occasion to join the Miskin team’s warm up, after his recent unsuccessful attempt to infiltrate and disrupt the warm up of the Welsh Asians.
“We are pushing for promotion, we have to show how keen we are” said Captain Ayres, and having unsuccessfully tried first to hit slip catches and then feed Crofty to enable him to hit the catches, the prospect of Brother Ben joining in with the opposition suddenly became quite an attractive prospect.
Losing the toss again, Miskin were inserted. This propensity Captain Ayres has for calling incorrectly heads or tails is really getting out of hand, his inability to tell the difference between a head and a tail nearly getting him and his team mates, into considerable trouble at a recent visit to a hot Cardiff nightspot!
A steady start in difficult batting conditions, just one run from the first four overs but in a 50 over game, is there really any need to panic? Well apparently there is as Brother Ben decides to break the habit of a lifetime in a situation where his lifetime habits were to be welcomed and applauded, and dance down the wicket to a full toss which, had he connected, might have landed in the next village, but as he didn’t connect, landed on middle stump. Collection of tea moneys and a very heavy fine looking likely for an entertaining duck.
Step forward Lara Croft to join Peter ‘pads’ Hybart, the pads proving the latters undoing when he was a victim of the finger of the Bhudda, back foot, plum in front, and nothing of any credibility that could save the director of Welsh cricket from another 50 avoidance.
Having given extra cover his usual catching practice, and being dropped, Lara eventually fell for a well crafted 42 trying to emulate the “hoick the full toss” shot demonstrated earlier by Brother Ben, with the same spectacular result.
Meanwhile, at the other end, Matthew Jones set about the bowling like Carl Whiteley setting about an ‘all you can eat buffett’, Abdullah joining in with a cameo knock, boundary, boundary, long walk off to the boundary, before 007 Gilo steadied the ship keeping Jones company past his 50 and on to what proved to be a match-winning 82.
Wickets fell quickly in the last few overs, James “Cossie” Cosgrove lasting enough time to pinch teas under the nose of Brother Ben, and it being left once again to Captain Ayres and Bhudda Newberry, to steer the innings into the 50th over and to 208 all out. That short, final wicket partnership was itself not without incident, Bhudda being dropped by small boy at point, before “pulling a hammie” in the final over.
Following a brief shower and an excellent tea, Miskin took to the field and opening bowlers Greg’s brother Robinson and Matthew Jones, were soon among the wickets, Jones bowling an unplayable ball angled in and moving away off the seam to hit middle, Robinson bowling with pace, seam and movement, Captain Ayres, a veritable cat in the slips pouching two excellent catches, Ponthir reeling.
Enter the Ponthir’s ‘Axe Man’, wielding his might weapon, a man who required absolute quiet before taking guard, cue cries of “come on Miskin”, “Well bowled Greg” and “Let’s send him back”, each time the Axe Man peeled away before hush descended and guard was taken again, the silence broken by Bhudda shouting “in your own time!”, another reel away towards square leg and a stare that could kill a human stone dead at 10 paces!!
Having wound the Axe Man up to the point of incandescent rage, call for Cossie, wide, wide, bouncer, Axe Man winded and the ball rolling onto the stumps, keeper, slips and gully rolling about in fits of laughter, Cossie apologising as the Axe Man marched from the field, steam from his ears, only to return to umpire shortly after and proceed to declare one of his batsman ”not out” bowled believing the Bhudda was appealing for a stumping. Despite Bhudda’s protests that as the batsman had been bowled, there was no need to appeal therefore he wasn’t actually appealing, the Axe Man had spoken and none, not even the second team pro, Brother Ben, dared argue with him. Cue enormous fine for Bhudda, “in all my years of playing cricket” opined Peter Hybart, director of Cricket Wales no less, “I have never seen a situation where the antics of a wicket keeper saved an already out batsman”.
“Fair point” said Captain Ayres “£2!!”
Still time for Bhudda, Cossie and Brother Ben to put down chances but even that could not stop Miskin powering to a comfortable victory and 19 points.
However, with Barry’s game being cancelled, Miskin will need to beat Barry next week and score 18 points more than Barry to beat them to the final promotion spot. A tall order but whilst there is life in this team, one thing they have proved this season is they will keep fighting.
20 August 2011
Miskin Manor IIs 193 – 6, match abandoned
Having learnt the lessons of the old sea dog Painter, Captain Ayres was in no doubt at all that the game would proceed. Despite heavy overnight rain, an early morning pitch inspection revealed a dry, if green wicket, a remarkably dry square with just the standing water on the outfield.
The team arrived desperate to get quickly back to winning ways following the unholy mess (see below) of the previous week. A depleted team, Cosgrove playing bingo and “grab a granny” in Cornwall, Brother Ben off preaching the word, and Aled, Mike and Biffa dropped to the firsts, but full of youthful talent (Smyth R, Newberry, Hybart) and experience (Robinson, Smyth O, Soames, Jones).
Problem one – “never touch the outfield” said Painter, it will dry itself. Unfortunately, no Painter, no divine intervention and the standing water sitting on the outfield about as likely to move as a Welsh man living next door to a brewery. Solution – Absent the famed Miskin Manor CC ropes, hoards of fielders dragged green pipes across the outfield taking off the water as they went.
Problem two – no sawdust. No access to the shed, no sawdust. Leekes “the out of town department store!” were unable to provide. Solution – to the rescue, Captain Ayres and his black book of contacts, CMS, £7.85, enough sawdust to last about 5 seasons.
Problem three – dog s**t on the outfield. I kid you not, sitting large and proud, just off the square in front of the members! Solution – Bhudda Newberry, dog-lover and quasi 12th man, produced poopy bags from the boot of the car and proceeded, in his only useful contribution on a real thanks for coming day, to scoop the poop into the specially scented bag and dispose.
Problem four – toss lost, no openers. Solution – in a move of courage and selfless devotion to the cause, and a move which was to land a heavy fine, Captain Ayres decided he quite fancied a bat and proceeded to ‘take the shine off the ball’ for about 7 overs.
Problem five – steady start but acceleration required, field close set. Solution – Jones blasting the ball over the top, on to the road and into the adjoining field.
Problem six – game commenced at 2:00pm yet it took a touch under 3 hours to bowl 39 overs. Solution – there is none, we just thought it was worth a mention
Problem seven – as the players retreated for tea, the clouds came over and threatened to end the match. Solution – thanks to Steve Hopkin and Cyril Rosser, Painter’s legendary sheet was rolled out the wicket to cover it.
Problem eight – the heavens did indeed open and covered the sheet with rain which then needed to be taken off. Solution – all hands on deck, sheet carried off and dumped on outfield.
Problem nine – no one had spotted the hole in the sheet which caused a large pool of water to be deposited on a length at the tree end. Solution – Cyril with towel.
Problem ten – it was wet, very wet, the overs issue above meant it was also late, very late, and Lisvane were, well, less than keen to retake the field citing ‘safety’ as an issue obviously alive to the combined destructive powers of the pace attack of Jones, Smyth and Robinson!
Solution – handshakes all round and Lisvane departing the ground quicker than Whiteley heading for an ‘all you can eat buffet’, match abandoned and nothing to show for a hard afternoon’s slog. Still further, no opportunity for comedy fielding on a slippery outfield with a wet ball, 39 overs which would have no doubt produced so much more entertaining material than we can offer this week.
Bumper “thanks for comings” to Newberry, Robinson and Smythe, a near miss for Ollie “2 balls” Smyth, and champagne moment to Rob for his impression of the karae kid whilst signalling a wide.
Ponthir next week and with matches running out, it looks like a case of ‘what might have been’ for the seconds.
13 August 2011
Welsh Asians 2nd XI beat Miskin Manor 2nd XI by 8 wickets
And so it was foretold, for revenge was in the air on Saturday as lo, the seconds travelled to Holy Ground, the Bishops Field in Llandaff to tackle Welsh Asians. A match forsooth which would go a long way to deciding the outcome of the season. Would the seconds be granted forgiveness for their earlier sins, or would the retribution of denial of promotion come upon them?
And so it was told, 11 men did travel, 11 men joined by Jeremy Thorny, 12 good men and true, disciples, spreading the word. Cricket is the word, and the word is cricket.
Before the great journey, the god of Moses and David had rained down great, well rain, the floods of Noah were before them.
Thus a delayed start and brother Ben Edwards took upon himself, the opportunity to preach to the Asians the virtues of a well aimed throw. As both teams looked on bemused, Ben got stuck into the Asian’s stump throwing warm up before treating his adoring followers to some lunges and stretches! Thus, as it was foretold by the prophets, a great man came amongst us and lo, he was fined.
In a game reduced to 44 overs per side, Captain Ayres carelessly lost the toss and in a move more obvious that a Newberry gag, Miskin were inserted.
The good word that is the Play cricket scorecard makes interesting reading but literally, does not tell the whole story (get on it skipper):
|
|
|
|
R |
B |
4s |
6s |
|
ct |
23 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
||
|
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|||
|
ro |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
||
|
ro |
39 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
||
|
ct |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
||
|
ct |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
||
|
ct |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
||
|
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|||
|
M Ayres + |
st |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
|
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|||
|
Not Out |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
||
|
Extras |
( ) |
0 |
||||
|
Total |
( all out , 41.5 overs) |
157 |
||||
In fact, the races for teas was quite an intense one but not as the scorecard would suggest, 8 ducks and a nought not out!
Brother Ben was first to fall in the second over for a genuine duck, a real coo for the Asians seeing the chosen one depart at such an early stage of the game. Moses Cockell joined Biffa Pritchard at the wicket and proceeded, in difficult conditions, to push the score along before the waters parted and Biffa, blinded by the light, the great light, spooned one into the air.
Matthew “Jesus” Jones bludgeoned a quick fire 39 before sacrificing his wicket in a run out farce, Moses having already been crucified for running himself out too.
Former church choir boy and boy soprano, Aled Jones, feeling at home in the shadow of the Cathedral scored some runs, we don’t frankly know how many because the good book is full of falsehoods and ungodly ducks, Abdullah too scored some runs, 6-6-6 as he batted but lo, the righteous were dispatched and the innings closed at 157 all out. Amen.
Stories of great men in the field, the 11 disciples stuck to their task rejoined by Brother Jeremy who had departed to restock on the holy water, returning with a paper bag and some beer.
The 11 fought bravely, surviving plagues of dropped catches and not outs but alas, they were defeated. Despite 2 wickets from Cosgrove the Monk, the righteous could not prevail and the Asians reached their target with 9 balls to spare.
And thus, the wheels of the chariots are quaking but they have not yet fallen off. The season is still one in which redemption is possible, but that must start this Saturday when an earlier defeat to Lisvane must be avenged! Amen.
30 July 2011
Miskin Seconds travelled to Brecon without Biffa Pritchard. The official reason was his daughter’s birthday but sources close to Captain Ayres have suggested it was due to his worrying dip in form having only scored 69 the week before.
Despite his absence, Miskin were full of confidence, only 8 regulars missing. Drafted into the team for the first time this season, Greg (Nathan’s brother) Robinson and Paul (3rd team skipper) Elks. On an interesting looking wicket, Captain Ayres called correctly and inserted Brecon.
Reggie Jones and Paul Elks opened the bowling for Miskin, the former quickly working out that hitting the stumps was the order of the day, removing the stubborn Price for a patient 8. At the other end, Elks bowled with great control but without luck, a couple of close LBW decisions being turned down. For Brecon, with wickets tumbling around him, T Raes helped himself to a magnificent and virtually chanceless 129, a superb knock in the context of the innings.
Raes was well supported by Vakil 16 before he became Jones’ second victim, and Skinner 24. During the latter’s eventful innings, he assisted Captain Ayres with some helpful instructions on site screen etiquette followed by a further lecture on the laws of the game. Ayres response was empathetic, a superb one handed caught and bowled to remove Skinner.
Law 32.1 – Out Caught
The striker is out Caught if a ball delivered by the bowler, not being a No ball, touches his bat without having previously been in contact with any fielder, and is subsequently held by a fielder as a fair catch before it touches the ground
Following his dismissal, wickets fell at regular intervals, Bhudda Newberry taking stumpings off Ayes and Croft, Kev “Hocky-Cokey” Thomas dispelling the rumour that he cannot field by running out S Wood with a throw from backward square, Raes finally being run out in the final over of the innings following an excellent throw from Reggie. Raes was given excellent support in the final few overs by young Tom Wood who scored a brisk 15.
The innings closed on 213 for 8, Ayres, Jones and Croft taking 2 wickets apiece, only 6 or 7 catches dropped, and Ayres and Co much the wiser in the laws of the game, for the experience.
In response, Croft and Jacka opened and quickly got to grips with the spin of Vakil and the seam of Dickson, boundaries coming at regular intervals before Croft became Vakil’s only victim chipping a full toss to backward square leg, with runs aplenty at his mercy!
Mike Cockell still fuming at his first wicket-less spell of season, got to work and provided the backbone of the innings with a magnificent 61 despite being unable, it was noted, to hit anything that pitched. Jacka continued and even found time to land the perfect cannon pulling to mid-wicket straight through the Aussie captain and aptly named Dickson’s hands and straight into Dickson’s, well, let’s say mid-rift, with a sickening thud. Ever practical, Cockell suggested he might want to recover off the field, whilst some of his team mates were rather less helpful!
Jacka departed for a well struck 30 before Reggie became the only LBW victim of the day, fingered by Matthew 007 Giles, Dickson having recovered from his earlier blow to claim his victim.
However, with Brecon running out of bowling options, Kev “thanks for coming Kev” Thomas came to the wicket and added some impetus to the innings such that when he departed for a brisk 30, followed closely by Cockell for 61, Miskin needed just 18 runs from 4 overs.
Joining Captain Ayres in the middle and batting at 007, Matthew “shaken not stirred” Giles, took to the bowling like James Bond to Pussy Galore, stroking the ball to all parts. With Captain Ayres struggling to hit a small boy off the square at the other end, 007 Giles caressed the winning four with 5 balls to spare handing Miskin a well earned victory, and 19 valuable points.
Thanks for coming to Nathan’s brother, Greg Robinson, Allan Croft for getting out to keep the game interesting, and Mike Cockell stumped off a wide by a keeper who for the first 20 overs fielded the ball by letting it bounce off his stomach!
Rogerstone home next week, Captain Ayres has gone away to revise the rules of the game ready for his umpiring exams next week.
23 July 2011
Miskin Seconds defeated their Malpas counterparts for the second time this season on Saturday with a comprehensive 8 wicket victory at Glyn Park. Winning the toss and deciding to field, Miskin quickly grabbed the initiative with Aled Jones ripping through the Malpas top order taking 4 wickets in an impressive 7 over spell.
He was ably backed up by Rob Smythe who went for a miserly 18 runs in his 10 over spell beating the bat on countless occasions and was desperately unlucky to finish the spell wicket-less. Having been reduced to 50-5, Malpas rallied and an excellent 59 from Peter Mason, backed up by 32 from Rhys Hart, took Malpas to a respectable 153 all out.
In the field, Miskin again did themselves proud. Having dropped 2 catches, one at a mid off and a very difficult chance at square leg, Kevin “thanks for coming” Thomas decided the only way to avoid dropping any more catches was to ensure he was nowhere near the ball when it landed. This, he managed with considerable success when the aforementioned Rhys Hart, during his “Skiers into space” spell, top edged a sweep off Mike “International” Cockell, which, had Kev stood still, would have hit him between the eyes. “Not bloody likely” thought Kev and instead decided to do a one man rendition of the chorus of the ‘Hocky Cokey’, the bit where you all run into the middle, and then reverse, (floundering trying to take a catch as the ball sailed over his head) to where you were once stood putting your left leg in, out, in, out and then shaking it all about!
Meanwhile, Buddha Newberry behind the stumps took it upon himself to stand up to young Robinson and in doing so, move (it is alleged I should add) Biffa Pritchard several yards to the right to allow Hart to pick the gap between keeper and first slip for another excellent boundary. The post-mortem continued for several hours, Buddha eventually trying to deflect criticism by pulling a hammie and then spending the last 15 overs of the innings hopping about on one leg! His task behind the stumps made even more difficult by the prodigious turn being exacted from the wicket by the International.
Captain Ayres again steadied the ship by adopting the drop one, catch one “rhythm method” of fielding, catches also for Haj, Aled with a caught and bowled, James “Bucket Hands” Soanes and a further catch for Aled to finish the innings, Cockell finishing with 2 wickets, Ayres with 3, a wicket for Haj and an excellent spell for young Robinson robbed of his first second team scalp by the combined efforts of Biffa and Buddha.
After another excellent Donna tea, Miskin openers, Matt Jacka (18) and Craig “Biffa” Pritchard (69) put on 90 for the first wicket, Jacka holing out trying to push on and Craig being deceived by one of the finest pieces of flighted spin-less bowling you ever want to see my friend, loop, dip, deception, bite, no turn, and eventually Biffa could do nothing but lob the ball back to the bowler for an easy caught and bowled. Another failure for Biffa, only 69 runs on this occasion and the lack of form this season must be a concern for Captain Ayres.
Taking advantage of his elevation up the batting order, Haj Malik then came to the fore. Haj had also obviously been receiving dancing (see Kev’s hocky cocky) lessons, one, two, three, bang, one, two, three, bang, two sixes in a rapid 30 not out, supported by James Soanes who finished the game with a six to end 26 not out.
A comprehensive eight wicket victory to keep the promotion challenge alive, a comprehensive, and very expensive fine count, and a “thanks for coming” to Kev Thomas
16 July 2011
When Captain Ayres and First Mate Newberry surveyed the pitch on Saturday morning, tide in, pools of water on the square, the time for abandonment was nigh. “The earth is most definitely flat” exclaimed Captain Ayres, “we will not set sail today”.
Step forward Columbus in the shape of John Painter “The wind she blows, the sun and the wind will see you through…don’t touch the wicket, the tide will turn and she will dry and, the earth is round”. Within an hour, tide turning, wind blowing, and sun, well, sort of shining, the wicket was dry, the outfield immaculate, the earth declared round again, and Captain Ayres and First Mate Newberry congratulating themselves for not calling the game off.
Able Seaman Painter, now with the bit between the teeth, cut, rolled and marked for all he was worth, Biffa taking up the brushing duties whilst Newberry and Captain Ayres, still congratulating themselves, danced a celebratory lap of the field whilst setting down flags at 12 pace intervals.
And so, toss won, the Good ship Miskin Manor IIs took to the high seas at a little after 2:00pm to do battle with the Newport Fugitives, cannons at the ready to blast the Miskin bowling around the park. Mutiny was afoot, Ben Edwards, sent down from Admiralty on high, issuing secret orders to the men, “left a bit…right a bit…get loose” and “catch it!!!”. Fortunately, such was the subtly of the mutiny, no one seemed to take much notice.
Cosgrove, majestic, swooping in mixing the unplayable with the unreachable, 8 overs yielding just 13 runs off the bat (and 13 extras not from the bat), few, if any, off the middle, and a wicket, a priceless wicket. Matthew Jones, mean as ever from the river end, Aled Jones bowling with venom, Haji Malik with guile and skill, 2-26 off 8 overs, wides again a major factor, and Cockell, the seasoned sea-dog with international experience spinning himself two more wickets in a spell of flight and filth!
145-7 from 39 overs, 2 wickets and an extra bonus point clinched in a crucial last over, mutiny averted, Newberry junior with the charts (scorebook) recording misdemeanours, this was going to be a heavily fined and poorer second team by the end of the day, TEA.
Again, the Painter connection was in evidence, Donna providing an excellent tea, many thanks, Whiteley remembering to thank Donna on his fourth trip to the cake plate, fine averted.
Admiralty Edwards and Biffa Pritchard set sail in response, Ben reaching 50 ahead of Biffa and then taking a break whilst Biffa moved through the 40s, 50s and into the 60s to finish on a hot 69 not out, 2 balls in the river, only 1 returned, Edwards 53 not out.
Thanks for comings to Allan Croft, James Soanes and Captain Ayres. A special, and sincere thanks to John Painter both for his optimism, and his tireless work on Saturday morning to prepare the pitch and the outfield, to Donna for teas, Keiran for scoring and keeping the fines book, and Cabin Boy Ashley Thomas for fishing the match ball out of the river.
18 June 2011
Miskin Manor Second XI 131 all out, lost to Lisvane Second XI 151-9 by 20 runs
Being the only Miskin senior team able to play proved to be an unlucky omen for the seconds as they slipped to their second successive defeat against Lisvane.
A fantastic effort by the Lisvane ground staff saw the game commence at 2:00pm reduced to 42 overs per side with Miskin reducing Lisvane to what appeared to be a slightly below par 150-9, Mike Cockill finishing with 3-15 from his 10 overs.
The target seemed well within reach as Miskin raced past 100 with just 2 wickets down but when, for the second successive week, Craig Pritchard departed after hitting another well deserved 50, the middle order collapsed and by the time Dan Burr became the final wicket to fall, Miskin’s last 8 wickets had fallen for little more than 20 runs handing Lisvane their first victory of the season.
42 extras were conceded, something which ultimately came back to haunt them and will need to be addressed if the push for promotion is to continue. Of equal concern is that for the second week running, the middle order has failed to fire and winning positions have been squandered.
11 June 2011
Miskin Manor Second XI 223 all out lost to Welsh Asians 236-9 by 13 runs
Miskin slipped to their first league defeat of the season and first home defeat for over 2 years this weekend losing by 13 runs to Welsh Asians.
Winning the toss and batting first, Asians openers, Ashfaq 31 and Khan 37 got the visitors off to a solid start but tight bowling from Rob Smythe who went for just 27 runs in a tight 10 over spell, and 3 for 22 off 10 by Mike Cockell, pinned Asians back. However, with wickets in hand, the tail wagged and some late hitting by Fiaz 25 and Malik 31 saw the Asians post an impressive 236 from their 50 overs, Kevin Thomas nipping in to take 3 for 20 with some fine, at death bowling.
In reply, Miskin made a steady start before Mike Cockell was run out for 11. However, fellow opener Craig Pritchard continued to bludgeon the Asian attack assisted by Rowit 24 and James Soanes 23, before being run out on 83 having plundered 11 fours and a six. A collapse ensued and Miskin slumped from 161-2 to 166-6 before Haji Mailk joined Matthew Jones and they took Miskin on to 190 before 2 more quick wickets left Miskin teetering on the brink at 194-8. However, a 9th wicket stand of 28 at better than a run a ball between Malik and Glenn Newberry brought Miskin back into contention but when the latter parted, and with pressure building, Rob Smythe was run out without facing trying to give Malik the strike, Malik left high and dry on 37 not out.
Some fine individual performances from Mike Cockell, Kevin Thomas and Rob Smythe with the ball, and Craig Pritchard and Haji Malik with the bat, Rowit and Soanes both making starts but failing to take advantage. Further, the impending installation of “Snicko” should see the reintroduction at Glyn Park of the now almost extinct “catch behind”.
21 May 2011
Miskin 105-1 beat Malpas 104 all out by 9 wickets
Miskin won the toss on a very green wicket and decided the best course of action was to insert the opposition Malpas. James Cosgrove was excellent with the new ball and returned 4 wickets from his 10 over spell. Malpas were never able to recover from this start and a combination of Abdullah Malik, Mike Cockell and Matthew Ayers picked up the remaining 6 wickets thus dismissing Malpas for 104.
This total was never realistically going to be enough, despite the very green seamer-friendly wicket. Miskin openers got off to a good start as Craig Pritchard and Peter Hybart got to 23 before Peter was dismissed. Craig was then joined at the crease by Steve Leeke and they were able to knock off the remaining runs needed with more than 30 overs to spare.
In summary this was an excellent all round performance. The bowlers were very disciplined and exploited the conditions to the utmost. Our 3 batsmen required were also in excellent form and cruised us to the total of 105. On another note our bowling and batting was backed up by some excellent fielding, in particular an excellent catch from Rob Smythe to dismiss their opener. Hopefully we will Have a repeat of this performance against Brecon this week.
Matt
