1st XI Match reports – 2011

23 July 2011

Miskin travelled to the picturesque Malpas ground still top of the league but with about as much recent activity as Gordon Waugh’s aftersun.  Absentees were Steve Leeke (The out of town department store) on all-inclusive holiday at Butlins and Steve Meadon in search of a new boat in
Cyprus.

Jones the useless “tosser” (calm down, there’s a rubbish pun coming) again could not guess correctly (see, the coin “toss”) and Miskin were put in on a wicket which was slightly damp. The usually reliable Robinson/Whiteley partnership failed for once. Thomas at three,  Edwards at four on his recall and Croft all gone within seven overs.  Skipper Jones promoted himself on the advice of Admiral Francis, and he and Hay tried to repair the damage.  Hay was in imperious form while Jones formed a rearguard similar to Rorkes Drift. Hay was cruisring on  46 before Jones broke a pad diving to reach his crease for a quick single causing drinks to be taken early whilst running (now that is a pun) were carried on on Haj’s pads. Drinks were taken at this point, the drinks curse striking again, two wickets falling in three balls. Hay fell for a well made 46 and Francis a second ball duck.

Francis earned the collecting teas award which upset Edwards as he had his pen and pad at the ready! To wicket came the maturing Johnno “Pizza Hut” Edwards and he and Jones kept it ticking along neatly before Edwards went for a fine 29. Next to go was Jones for a 130 ball 44 and the tail folded leaving Miskin again not using their overs, 176 in 46 overs.

A rousing team talk by coach Justin Thomas, who had plenty of time to work on it as he has about 13 weeks off work, was promptly ignored. Miskin opened with spinner Francis and speed merchant Hughes .  Malpas made a solid start until the introduction of skipper Jones who finished with two for 20 turned the tide in Miskin’s favour.  He and young Chris Owen between them bowled 20 overs for just 38 runs. During this period, coach Thomas took the “catch of the century”.

Croft continued the good work with a miserly spell but it was a return of veteran Francis who took four for 14 and the medium pace of Dan
Hay who put Miskin firmly on top, that and a snorter of catch from Ben Edwards.

Having added nothing to the batting, Whiteley took the ball and took two wickets in one over, job done and Malpas out for 119, 18 points.

This was a vital win with Fugitives in Pontypridd both winning. Brecon at home next week at the partisan Glyn Park. Congratulations to
the second XI and third XI both winning, and Craig Prichard keeping of his fantastic run with the bat. Biffa has obviously not bought Jones enough Guinness for a First XI place.

Paid after when his unsung hero award has now been nominated for the George Cross and has the right to lead sheet over the bridge in
Pontyclun.

Haj

2 July 2011

Miskin travelled to Creigiau with their unbeaten record on the line.  The Manor were minus the injured Treharne and Robinson, and the prolific Steve Leeke (the out of town department store) who due to staff shortages had to stand in as DJ at the Vale Hotel’s wedding fare.

Jones won the toss, thus avoiding an automatic fine, and opted to bat.  Meadon departed early for 4, and Edwards, forgetting it was a limited overs game took 45 painstaking balls for his well crafted 9 runs.  A misjudgement from the inform Whiteley saw him run out for 38, a real shame for the McDonalds customer of the month winner.  PE Teacher and former Welsh Rugby International, Justin Thomas, not happy after being told he would have to keep playing cricket until he reaches 65, and the club docking his pension (well this was topical when it was first written, Justin and his tree-hugging teacher pals having been on strike during the week, and look at all the holidays they get!!), put on 65 with Dan Hay.  Francis hit a quick-fire 35, Thomas 44 and Hay 39, all making starts but failing to go on.

Undisciplined batting by the tail left Miskin all out for 208.

Francis opened the attack taking a wicket first ball and very soon had Creigiau on the rack at 33-4 and when ex St Fagan’s player S Powell went for 4, Creigiau were tottering at 45-4 until skipper Lloyd and Moore put on 86 for the 5^th wicket.

Tight bowling from Francis 3-18 and Owen 1-34 meant it was going to be a tight finish. 

Manor missed chances, a missed run out and two dropped catches, Hughes returning from a good opening spell went for 20 in 2 overs and the normally reliable Reggie Jones going for 17 from one over.  Creigiau reached their target with an over to spare, Lloyd finishing on an excellent 86 not out, a great game and credit to Creigiau, well umpired by Spatz and Evans.

Haj

(Since the above report was completed, games against Pontypridd and Newport Fugitives have been cancelled and this could be Haj’s last Miskin match report as last week he was found guilty of hacking Dave Skirrow’s phone)

11 June 2011

Vale away – Miskin won by 36 runs

A much changed Manor travelled to the newly promoted Vale on Saturday seeking to keep up their 100% record.  Keeper Robinson was out with a broken finger, Hughes and Croft were attending Mardi Gras, and Whitely believed to be away on the European leg of his McDonalds tour (see below).

Jones again lost the toss and Manor batted with newcomer, and stolen from the seconds, Meaden smashing a 25 ball 32.  But following his departure, Miskin failed to take advantage  and with Edwards, Hay Francis and Jones joining him back in the hutch, Manor were 80 for 5.

Again Steve “the out of town department store” Leeke showed his class and along with Justin “hamstring” Thomas, the coach and new keeper having just signed a new 3 year contract, guided Miskin on a bowler friendly track towards a respectable total.  Leeke 56, Thomas 35 and cameos of 8no for Aled Jones and 19 from Jonno Edwards took manor to185.

During tea, the true reason for Whitely’s non appearance became apparent but shortly before going to press, Whitely’s legal team slapped a super-injunction on the website so we cannot go into the reasons here. 

Taking the field, James “also stolen from the seconds” Cosgrove took his chance well with 2 for 21, and was backed up by Aled conceding just 14 runs off his 6 overs,  Jonno Edwards returning figures of 10 overs, 2 for 24, skipper Jones 9 3 15 1, and spin twins Francis and Owen picking up 3 wickets  to leave Vale 149 all out.

Steve “where’s my scorebox?” Doble having to take the field towards the end of the game, his season debut, after the 2 Joneses had to leave the field for reasons which are still unclear.  Great win and still top 3, and with players returning next week, it could be a long selection meeting Wednesday.

Haj

 

4 June 2011 – v Radyr Home

Miskin took on an unbeaten and big spending Radyr at Glyn Park.  Again, we managed to lose the toss but that was about the only thing any Miskin team lost this weekend, and Miskin fielded.

Controversy followed as Skirrow appeared to edge one but was given not out.  I say “appeared”, there were three people in the next village who heard the nick but the umpire’s decision is of course final. 

Lloyd hit a brilliant 62 before being caught and bowled by Francis. Aled Jones bowled well on comeback 10 3 33 1, and skipper Jones taking 3 for 36 including a hat trick ball pegged Radyr back.  At tea Radyr were 254 for 5 with Corden 23 no and Skirrow, about as popular with the assembled Miskin masses as Ryan Giggs at a family reunion 120 not out.

Tom Robinson and Carl (again late due to beefeaters 2 for 1 promotion) Whitely ripped into Radyr putting on 162 runs, Whitely perishing for 111, Tom going for 44 .  Benny Edwards followed for 19, and Hay and Francis followed quickly sacrificing themselves chasing what was beginning to look a distant target, the required rate creeping up at one point to nine an over.   

Step forward Steve “the out of town department store” Leeke who stroked a classy 55 not out off just 32 balls, joined by skipper Jones to see Miskin home with just 5 balls to spare.  For Radyr, Lloyd took 4 for 54 bowling at the death.

17 points and still top .Congrats to Cy for a perfect wicket, Mrs Rosser for tea and bar staff for almost selling out of all alcohol in the evening.

Keith Davies MBE’s 70th was celebrated in style with a speech from Rob Smythe talking ab out Keith the player, Keith the coach, and Keith the friend.  Then it was time for the great man himself to step forward and talk fondly about his love of the game and his 40 year bro-mance with none other than Jon Painter. 

Congratulations to all 3 teams who won their respective games, and in particular Gilo for getting his maiden ton. Let’s keep it going

Nets Wednesday, I’m off to the Skirrows for lunch

Haj

29 May 2011

Miskin 142 all out lost to Ynystawe 143-2 by 8 wickets

Miskin travelled in the rain to former holders, Ynystawe for a village cup tie.  A surprisingly dry wicket met them and having lost the toss, Manor were inserted.  Young opener, Tom Robinson fell first ball and before Doc had sat down, Coach Thomas fell for 5 after leaving Mrs Coach and tent in Tenby.  Hay then fell for2 and when in-form Francis fell for 8, Miskin were in trouble at 62 for 5.  The recovery was led by the classy Whiteley who passed 50 in partnership with Jonno who scored 12.  Skipper Jones and Whiteley put on50 before the latter fell for an excellent 79.

A further collapse followed with young Ashley Thomas left high and dry, Manor 142 all out.

Cosgrove struck early but wides were not helping the cause.  Into the attack came the veterans Jones and Francis, Coach taking a blinder but the pivotal moment came when Evans was dropped.  Franco finished with figures of 9 3 21 1 Jones 9 3 23 1  but Ynystawe buckled down and got a partnership going. Owen 6 0 37 0,  Hay2 0 15 0 and Whiteley2 1 14 0, tried in vain but Ynystawe got home in 37 overs.

Best of luck to the former champs and a good debut for 13 year old Ashley Thomas

Haj

21 May 2011

Miskin 245-8 defeated Malpas 64 by 181 runs.

Miskin continued its league campaign against title favourites Malpas.  Skipper Jones won the toss and decided to bat.

With opener Carl Whiteley stranded in Mcdonalds, Tom Robinson opened with coach Justin Thomas.  Justin was adjudged caught off the 5th ball of the game and Robinson went for 14 before Ben Edwards and the now escaped, and replenished Whiteley put on 69.  The blossoming partnership was ended by a cruel deflection when Whiteley, full of burger, failed to return to his ground adn was run out on 42.  Ben continued until running out of gum on 49 which brought John Francis to the wicket fresh from winning the Penygawsi 10k run in the morning.  He bludgeoned 82 including 11 boundaries.  The innings ended with Jonno Edwards scoring 24 no and a quick-fire 20 from skipper Huw Jones took Miskin to 245 for 8.

In reply, Jonno Edwards removed Malpas’ opener first ball and Hughes removed the prolific Martin for 4.  The trouble Malpas were having was nothing compared to that which Messrs Doble and Higgins with having with the new Miskin scoreboard.  Into the attack came the spin twins Francis 7-3-15-2 and still under age Chris Owen 8.3-3-15-6 to bury Malpas for 64.  Another exhibition of fine fielding including a brace of catches by Edwards senior.

This again cost JP cash having promised to reward half centuries, and he was seen in Cash Convertors on Sunday.  Apparently, they didn’t want his bat!!

Next, the long trek to Brecon with the boys leaving Thursday to acclimatise.

Great tea, great wicket and good variety behind the bar, and a welcome back to Reg who’s now completed his homework!

Haj

 

14 May 2011

Miskin got their first XI campaign underway at Glyn Park after last week’s postponement.

The firsts gave a debut to Casey Hughes, and were bolstered by returns for international lacrosse player Alan Croft and a fit again Carl (twice) Whitely. Missing, prolific batsmen Garin Treherne and left armer Aled Jones who was “doing homework”.

Fugitives won the toss and elected to ball.  They got off to a flyer with 48 on the board in six overs. The ball was given to young spinner “Magnums” Owen and with his guile shackled the Fugitives. After an erratic start Hughes got into his stride and bowled with control and pace. A return 10 overs 2 for 28 for Owen and Hughes, 1 for 42. It was now veteran John Francis’ turn after his heavy netting over the summer, and produced 1 for 31. The fielding under the tuition of Justin “hamstring” Thomas was electric with direct run outs from Hay and Thomas. Whitely 1 for 9; Hey 2 for 11; and Croft 1 to 16 completed the wicket taking aided by catches from Ben & Jono Edwards Hey and Whitely.   A fine effort to arrest the Fugitives early charge and send them back to the cells for 184.

With Thomas (Hamstring) injured, skipper Jones thought long and hard over the order whilst having his third piece of Mrs Rosser’s gateaux and cream.

Seventeen year old Tom Robinson and a rejuvenated Whitely opened against a solid Fugitives attack. Runs were at a premium but as the bowling changed, the runs came more quickly. With a large partisan crowd and a returning former captain Trevor Roach in the ground, Miskin reached 185 in 45 overs with Robinson 84 and Whitely 78. This costing John “legend” Painter five pounds.

A full 20 points to Miskin and only 1 point for the Fugitives.

Sunday saw a walkover in the Village Cup, Vale dropping out

A big thanks to Cy and Gabe for the first-class wicket, Painter for the outfield, Mrs Rosser for the teas. Congrats also to the seconds and thirds who also enjoyed winning starts.

Haj