Cardiff CC crowned Carbon Law Senior Open Welsh Cup champions
Cardiff CC crowned Carbon Law Senior Open Welsh Cup champions
Cardiff CC capped a memorable season in commanding fashion, beating Briton Ferry Town CC by nine wickets in the Carbon Law Senior Open Welsh Cup Final at Pontarddulais CC’s Ffosyrefail Ground.
Cardiff, who had narrowly avoided relegation the previous year, arrived at the final as Premier League champions.
Briton Ferry Town, meanwhile, had celebrated their year by winning Division One of the South Wales Cricket Association, underlining their resilience by completing remarkable run of 18 league and cup fixtures during August.
Briton Ferry Town had booked their place in the final with victories over Swansea and Civil Service, Port Talbot Town, Maesteg, Abergavenny and Brymbo. Cardiff’s route to the trophy came via wins against Newport Fugitives, Whitchurch-Heath, Newport, Pontarddulais and Penarth.
Despite a brief morning shower, conditions improved in time for the match to start as scheduled. Cardiff captain Tegid Phillips won the toss and chose to field.
Zach Healey and Fazil Rabi Noor made immediate inroads, reducing Briton Ferry Town to 4/3 before Mohsin Ali and Gitanshu Malhotra steadied the innings. Preetham Venkatesh then led the fightback with an excellent 54 from 43 balls, striking five sixes as Briton Ferry Town posted 142 all out in 37.1 overs.
Cardiff shared the wickets around, with all six bowlers playing their part. Noor claimed two, while Healey, Tom Barry, Devansh Agarwal, Sam Swingwood and Phillips took one each.
In reply, Sam Evison and Phillips set the tone with a composed opening stand of 86, seeing off any tricky new-ball movement. Phillips was eventually dismissed for 24 after a sharp catch by Rahul Abbavathi, but Sam Wyatt joined Evison to steer Cardiff towards victory.
Wyatt finished unbeaten on 31 from 31 balls, while Evison anchored the chase with an unbeaten 73 as Cardiff reached 143/1 in 28.1 overs, a match-winning innings that earned him the Player of the Match award and nudged him over 1000 runs for the season.
Both clubs can take great credit from outstanding seasons. Thanks are also due to Pontarddulais Cricket Club for their excellent hospitality and to Carbon Sport for their valued sponsorship of the competition.
Credit : Gareth Roberts Photography
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