Barry Sport

Stags claim league title after thriller

7:50am Thursday 2nd September 2010

1ST XI CELEBRATE TITLE GLORY

NATHAN Baker’s Barry Athletic 1st XI went into the season finale against Newbridge knowing only 5 points were needed to guarantee promotion to Division Two of the Glamorgan & Monmouthshire Cricket League.

With conditions hinting at bowling first, there were no surprises as Baker lost the toss and was asked to field.

Barry began steadily, with Nathan Baker and Damon Leake looking to battle through the tricky batting conditions. Things were looking good, with regular boundaries, until Leake was bowled out by a ‘pearler’ from James Baker.

The youngster claimed another scalp as Ian Gadd was caught at mid-off for a duck. Things went from bad to worse as Lee Morgan was bowled after the ball kept low, for 15.

Stags suffered further blows as Ashley Baker and Scott Hopkins both departed from debatable lbw decisions, which left the Stags in a desperate position at 47-5.

However, with Baker in the middle there was still a chance the Stags could field a competitive score - and that’s just what happened.

With Anjan Ganapathy (48 no), a vital and match-winning partnership was formed.

Baker played a captain’s innings and showed what a class act he is with the bat, finishing with a battling 90 not out as the Stags closed on 196-5 from their 50 overs.

The second innings began in a controlled fashion, as the Newbridge batsmen failed to take the game to the Stags in the opening 20 overs, with the score on just 58-0.

However, the Stags could not afford to be complacent and with an inspired bowling change from the captain, Billy Usswald took his wicket tally to 32 for the season.

With 3 wickets down for the visitors (thanks to catches from Ashley Baker and Steve Jones), the Stags knew they only needed one more wicket to secure promotion.

It was a nervy end to the match, but the fast reflexes of Peter Hellyar helped King of the Barry Oval, Steve Jones, claim the decisive wicket to secure promotion to Division Two.

Two more wickets put the pressure on the visitors and it looked as if the Stags would close the match out with ease. But this wasn’t the case as Newbridge captain James Morgan, and James Baker formed a partnership of 64 to bring them within striking distance of pinching the match and spoiling the Stags’ celebrations.

However, tight overs from Hellyar and Jones helped the Stags grind out a 9-run victory.

The champagne corks popped as they celebrated not only promotion, but the league title as well, after news broke that Vale CC had beaten the Welsh Asians by 63 runs at Llanrumney.

Vale will join the Stags in Division Two after pinching 2nd place via the head-to-head regulation, after both sides finished with exact stats.

Barry Athletic CC would like to congratulate Lee and Ceri Morgan, after Ceri gave birth to Evie Lorraine Morgan last week.

2ND XI FINISH WITH CRUSHING DEFEAT

MARTIN Baker took the 2nd XI to promotion-chasing Miskin Manor CC, knowing there was no pressure, with survival already secured.

With the ground looking damp and bowler friendly, Baker lost the toss and was asked to bat first.

After dazzling the crowds with the ball all season, Neil Holmes opened the innings with Jophin Reji and for the opening 10 overs, both battled against the conditions before Holmes was bowled. Reji and Phil Thomas soon followed.

Wickets were tumbling and there were worrying signs that the Stags would fall for a low total.

With the score at 84-6, the signs were getting more worrying. However, Martin Baker showed the true meaning of ‘Griggideer Block’ after holding his wicket for 32 overs and scoring 26 not out…..astonishing effort.

The Stags battled to 129-7 from their 50 overs.

After the tea session, the home side began steadily with the bat. Pritchard and Hybert were looking good and pressure was building on the Stags.

They had to wait until the 27th over for the first wicket, for John Gee, after Pritchard 'skied' the ball to Reji.

This didn’t stop Miskin Manor claiming the victory they needed for a chance of getting promoted to Division One and despite a wicket for Reji after a fine catch from Simon Phillips, the home side reached their target with 13 overs to spare.

Eighteen points wasn’t enough for Miskin Manor, after Malpas claimed 20 points to pip them to 2nd spot and claim successive promotions, along with Radyr.

3RD XI GO DOWN FIGHTING

ANDY Ellis led his young 3rd XI against Panteg A, hoping to claim a win and end the campaign on a high.

Panteg won the toss and chose to field first.

On a bowler-friendly pitch, opening batsmen Ashley Baker and Tom Ellis hit boundaries at all angles. Both looked confident as they played their strokes and there were signs of a big partnership being formed.

However, in the 12th over Baker was caught and bowled for 23. Ellis soon followed for 13 and the middle order was exposed.

Despite the two quick wickets, vital mini-partnerships were formed and the Stags began to battle.

Jake Griffett (29), Jonathan Phillips (20) and Andy Ellis (13) added useful runs, along with a little help from the extras column, to give the Stags a fighting chance as they were bowled out for 139.

After tea, the Stags began strongly with Griffett and Frost putting the ‘Hawks’ under pressure and with the score at 29-1 from 12 overs, the Stags were looking good for victory.

Callum Twomey, Ashley Baker and Andy Ellis all contributed with wickets and the ever reliable Director of 3rd XI Cricket, Peter Phillips, continued with his economical bowling.

However, a match-winning partnership of 65 from 14.4 overs proved vital as Panteg A fought back for a 5-wicket win.

A NIGHT TO REMEMBER

BARRY Athletic CC would like to thank all Stags who turned out at the Barry Oval, after the match with Newbridge, to celebrate another fine season highlighted by Barry 1st XI’s first league title since 1987 – a fine achievement.

The club would also like to thank Mark Wilshire and son, James for providing the live music for the party, and also congratulate Sticky Jones on Cardiff Airport’s 6-2 victory against Barry Villa FC.

Also congratulations Mr and Mrs Mark Moulden after they were married on Saturday.

BREAKING NEWS

BARRY Athletic CC Interim Chairman, Martin Baker would like to thank, on behalf of the committee, all those who contributed to improving facilities at the Barry Oval.

Big mentions to Glan Williams and Ian Gadd for putting a lot of effort in.

However, a special mention to Michael Gadd for performing nothing short of a miracle in improving the exteriors of the pavilion and helping the Stags ensure promotion.

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