Match Reports
Recent Reports
26th May 2007 – Hirwaun CC 170-4 beat Senghenydd 169 all out by 6 wickets.
Hirwaun travelled to Sengenydd for the second playable game of the season. On a bleak afternoon, the players got to Senghenydd and had difficulty spotting the very green wicket on the field. John Coles won the toss and didn’t fancy a bat on the exceptionally green wicket. Matthew Flynn and Jordan Coles opened the bowling. Despite the greenness the pitch offered a fair bit of bounce early on for Flynn, who was not having any luck beating the edge many times. Jordan mixed up unplayable swinging deliveries with beemers directed at the batsmen’s throats. The opening batsmen played and missed at a few deliveries on their way to 29-0 off 9 overs. Jordan struck first getting Kitch (11) to sky one, taking a good caught and bowled. Carter came and went quickly, LBW to Jordan for 4. 39-2 off 12 overs.
However, Hirwaun struggled to take the 3rd wicket. Steve Jenkins was thrown the ball to exploit the swinging conditions. He bowled well early on, starving the batsmen of scoring deliveries. John C replaced Flynn with the score on 59-2 in the hope that a change of pace would bring rewards. The following 10 overs went for 40 runs with Gough and Jenkins moving along nicely, putting any short deliveries away to the boundary. During this time Hirwaun put down 3 relatively easy chances, giving the batsmen a few lives. Eventually, in the 29th over Coles bowled Jenkins (33) with a quicker ball. Coles mixed up flighted and flatter, quicker deliveries to cause the batsmen a number of problems. Jenkins finished his spell 8-1-31-0 and was unlucky not to take a wicket. Billy Boulton came on for a fine boosting cameo. His first over went for a solitary run, however, his second was dispatched to all areas of the park, going for 17 runs. Coles, however, cashed in at the other end on some poor shot selection. A number of batsmen looked to play big shots across the line, Coles bowling 5 batsmen during his spell of 12-1-43-6. Senghenydd 152-8 off 38. With 8 wickets down Flynn (11.5-3-42-2) and Jordan (8-0-25-2) were thrown the ball to finish off the innings. However, Matthew “I cannot bowl fast at kids” Flynn bowled at reduced pace conceding a number of boundaries before taking the last 2 wickets. Senghenydd 169 all out in the 42nd over, possibly 20 runs more than they should have got.
NoteA mention must go to a ‘special’ fielding display for Hirwaun. During the Senghenydd innings Craig Bluck illustrated how to maximise the Hirwaun CC fines kitty. Craig not only wore short trousers and black socks he also dived over the ball to help it to the boundary and dropped everything that came his way in an inspirational fielding display. At one point in the innings John C was considering bringing Blucky on to bowl, to take him out of the fielding attack A particular highlight was when Blucky went for a catch and after the ball had dropped by the side of him he stated “I didn’t even get my hands to it.” Never mind. A wadge of fines, ‘Dick of the day’ award and pint on the head later and all was forgiven. Keep up the good work Blucky boy !
Following a substantial tea, including 4 varieties of cake, Billy Boulton and Greg started the innings for the Waun. They batted sensibly for the first 5 overs as the opening bowlers exploited indifferent bounce in the pitch. Greg then hit a few big shots before being bowled for 19. Chris Watts came and went for 0, determined to boost the fines stash for the day. Matthew Flynn then ticked the board over with Billy, who was now punishing any loose deliveries on his way to a quick 50. Flynn was caught on the boundary for 15, trying to hit a six, with the score on 100. Jordan “I’ve got to be home by 7 for work” Coles then came to the crease and mixed quick singles with some powerful hitting. Both taking a particular liking to the slow bowling of Walters. Billy was eventually out for 75 with the score on 153, having played his second dominant innings of the season. Jordan (44*) finished the innings off quickly with some big shots along with Phil Tay (5*), giving Hirwaun a victory by 6 wickets. Reaching the target of 170 in the 28th over. Another encouraging performance lads. Lets keep it going !
Champagne Cricketer : John Coles (Claiming figures of 12-1-43-6, first 5 wicket haul of the season)
Dick of the day : Craig Bluck (Dropping 2 dollies and diving out of the way of the ball in the field. He also wore black socks and trousers that were too short for him)
SPECIAL MENTION : A big thank you to Craig Bluck, Graham Manning and Rhys Jenkins for turning out last minute, following the dissapearance of a number of players. It is encouraging to see we now have a good squad of players to call on for the remainder of the season.
Boul”ton” gets buzz going and inspires Waun to first win of season !
5th May 2007 - Hirwaun CC 272-7 beat Maesycymmer CC 163 all out by 109 runs.
After a long, dark winter the Welfare bathed in sunshine for the opening match of Hirwaun CC’s season. Following a turbulent winter for the club, with the loss of a few key players, it was extremely encouraging to see everyone turning up ‘mad for it.’
New captain John Coles won the toss and elected to bat. This decision was influenced by the batting biased line up, recent dry weather and a pitch which had been ‘rolled’ during the week. Greg Manning and Ian Boulton opened up. The left-hand, right-hand partnership started cautiously as the new ball moved first up. In particular Lister getting the ball to swing down the hill. Greg (3) was out in the 3rd over playing across the line to a straight one. This brought Chris Watts to the crease to join Boulton. The pair batted sensibly for the following 12 overs, waiting for the bad ball to play shots. Lister bowled economically from one end, conceding only 20 runs in 8.4 overs, before he twisted his ankle and had to leave the attack. With the score on 60 Wattsy scooped a drive straight to cover, out for 16. This brought Jordan Coles to the crease. Jordan started hesitantly, playing primarily off the back foot. However, Billy had his eye in at this stage and was putting the bad ball, of which there was at least one every over, away to the boundary. At drinks (97-2 off 22 overs), Jordan came off the pitch saying he was ‘struggling’ and ‘couldn’t get his eye in’. The following 20 overs would see Billy and Jordan put on 147 runs. Billy in particular exploited the short boundary, with some mighty pull shots into the trees to race into the 90’s. On 94 Billy edged a dolly to the keeper, who kindly put it down. However, he recovered to complete his maiden century to a rapturous applause from the gathering crowd. Jordan completed his half century and along with Billy continued to push the scoring along. Billy was out for his high score of 116, with the total on 217. Matthew Flynn joined Coles jnr at the crease. However, Jordan was not content. After the next 2 overs went for 20 runs Jordan shouted to the skipper “do you want us to step it up ?” He smashed a few into the car park and was eventually out for 82 with the score on 237. Matthew contributed a cameo 27* while wickets tumbled in the last 4 overs as John Coles (5), Andrew Williams (0), Sam George (4) and Andrew Godfrey (2*) came in for a swish. Hirwaun 272-7 off their 45.
Note
During the Hirwaun innings, local hoodlums Craig Bluck and Kevin Hedford came up the Welfare to watch. They brought with them the ingredients for refreshing ‘summer cocktails.’ Rum mixed with Tesco value orange juice; with whole strawberries floating in it does not constitute a ‘Strawberry Daiquiri’ lads. Please see below.
Matthew Flynn opened the bowling down the hill. He struck early, bowling Moore for 4 off the 4th ball of the over. New recruit Sam George shared the new ball. However, he struggle with the ‘hill’ and windy conditions bowling a mixed bag of wides and short balls. His first 3 overs went for 34 with Conners in particular cashing in off anything short. Flynn bowled at a lively pace causing the batsmen problems. He removed R.Evans for 3 in his 3rd over with a clever slower ball edging to John C at slip. Andrew Godfrey replaced Sam but also struggled early on. Flynney was bowling maidens at one end, but Maesycymmer still managed to race to 88 off their first 15 overs. Conners in particular cashing in on any buffet, on his way to 51. John Coles then entered the attack, taking the pace off the ball. This worked as Conners went for one too many big shots, Coles bowling him through the gate. Flynn continued his spell, bowling 4 maidens in a row to finish with figures of 9-5-14-2. Jordan Coles, with a history of serving up buffet a plenty, was thrown the ball. He repaid his brother’s faith bowling quick, mixing short balls with unplayable pitched up deliveries, removing Bateman (14), aided by a good catch from Godfrey at point. John plugged away at the other end, bowling Wright for 7. Lister (14) and Daley (16) offered some resistance before being removed. The latter to possibly the unluckiest dismissal in history. The ball was skied directly above Graham Manning. In previous seasons Graham has been seen to drop all and sundry in the field. However, this season he is wearing an England hat whilst fielding. He pouched the catch to the delight of all around. Jordan (7-0-23-3) and John (9-1-32-3) made way for Sam George and Phil Tay came on to clean up the tail. Maesycymmer all out for 163 to give Hirwaun a victory by 109 runs.
During the Maesycymmer innings we conceeded 42 extras, including 36 wides. This is obviously something which needs working on. Our fielding was generally good, but could be sharper, considering how young the team is this year. However, a strong batting display ensured the opposition were always chasing the game. An encouraging start tp the season.
Champagne Cricketer : Ian Boulton ( Scoring his maiden ton for Hirwaun (116))
Dick of the Day : Sam George (His opening spell going for over 11 an over)
What we learnt ?
Having been introduced to a Hirwaun Strawberry Daiquiri, here is the receipe for the more conventional summer cocktail. Rumours are that Alan will be serving it up in gallons in the Glan this summer !
Juice of 2 Limes
2 tables of icing sugar
125ml of white rum
6 strawberries
dash of strawberry liqueur
approximately 250ml of crushed ice