2/8/14 - Llanarth v Radyr With rain affecting many games in the Conference Llanarths home fixture v Radyr was very close to a morning cancellation, however the covers had protected the wicket and Powells weather forecast app predicted no further precipitation beyond 2.30pm. The app proved correct and a 35 overs a side fixture commenced an hour later than normal in sunny, breezy conditions and was completed without interruption. Heath won the toss, elected to bat and Baxter began by striking three early boundaries before carelessly carving a drive to cover point. Heath promoted himself to three in the order and responded by working the ball around the field, running the legs of off the fielders as well as his fellow batsmen. In partnership with Lomax (34) the total progressed to 94-1 and all seemed set for an assault in the final 15 overs before Lomax fell to the final ball before drinks, obviously thinking about a refreshing beaker of blackcurrant squash. Nowell fell shortly afterwards, given out caught behind, and the Trees hopes of batting Radyr out of the game was dealt a heavy blow when firstly Heath, for a well crafted 59, and then C Dewfield departed to successive deliveries to leave the score at 124-5. A total of 150 was felt to be a par score and Powell ensured that it was reached with 24*, though as the boundaries were well guarded he was forced into a lot of running that had him breathing through his backside by the tea interval, his team posting 158-7. With an excellent tea scoffed, though a notable absence of apple crumble, the Trees knew they had to bowl well and grab chances to exert some early pressure. Lomax extracted an opportunity in his opening over that was grassed but forced another nick in his second, that was smartly taken by Vaughan, to get the breakthrough. Further tight bowling allied with sharp fielding forced another error from the batsmen and Heath executed a run out. In truth Radyr had no answer to the accuracy and swing of Banaras and Lomax, slumping to 9-4 from 10 overs courtesy of two catches in the cordon, one an excellent diving catch at second slip by Nowell. In his final over Lomax added the key wicket of the Radyr captain, again superbly taken by Nowell at second slip, to finish with 4-9 having eviscerated the opposition top order. Then Powell joined the Llanarth slip cordon renaissance by taking one himself at first slip off of the bowling of C Dewfield as Radyr sank further into the mire at 22-6. A partnership of opposites then came together as the correct technique of Swagath concentrated on batting out time whilst the baseball orientated technique of Bradley concentrated on attempting home runs. Eventually Bradleys fun was ended by Deadly Derek Whistance (1-13) and Hackett-Pains (1-2) Harrow grooved in-duckers ensured maximum bowling points after forcing an edge behind to Vaughan as the Radyr innings closed on 75-8. A terrific bowling and fielding performance by the Trees was highlighted by the fact that six catches were taken in the arc from point to keeper, all from excellent swinging deliveries that forced erroneous shots from the batmen. A performance that will have to be repeated next week as Llanarth visit Brynmawr to face their star-studded batting line up and where a victory would open up a chance at the League runners up spot. MB
Posted on: Sun, 03 Aug 2014 11:46:26 +0000
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