Newport are Cricket Wales U15 Champions
15th August 2012
| Mallory Gray
On Monday 13th August Newport Cricket Club were crowned as Welsh Under 15 champions following victories over Mochdre Cricket Club and Burton Cricket Club at the Cricket Wales Under 15’s Finals Day.
Originally the Finals Day was due to be held at the end of June but was postponed (like so many other games this season!) because of poor weather. Unfortunately, Pontardulais Cricket Club were unable to field a team on the revised date.
The day started with dark storm clouds surrounding the Newport ground and an agreement from all teams to reduce the format to 15 overs per side, due to the threat of rain interruptions.
In the first match of the day Newport batted first and posted 114 for 2 with Matthew Jones accumulating 50 not out and Scott Thornton 47. After a very promising start Burton’s response fell short (94 for 5), despite Dan Richards scoring 21 and Tory Hayman 25. Dan Lezar did the damage for Newport with 3 for 18.
In game two Newport again batted first with Matthew Jones (38), Dan Lezar (34) and Scott Thornton (22 not out) all making important contributions to a total of 133. Harry Parks took two wickets for Mochdre. In reply, despite 50 not out from Matt Humphries, Mochdre fell short on 81 for 3 and Newport were confirmed as Welsh champions.
In the final game of the day Mochdre posted 86 for 7 with Matt Humphries again top-scoring with 47, ably supported by James French with 22. For Burton, Lewis Boswell was the pick of the bowlers with 3 for 10, whilst Nick Jones also took 2 for 17. Burton reached their target very comfortably with some impressive running between the wickets in a fine opening stand. Dan Richards finished with 50 not out while Jack Davies supported with a steady 25. Burton Cricket Club were duly confirmed as runners-up, matching the achievement of another Pembrokeshire club – Kilgetty – in the U13 event earlier in the season.
From mid-afternoon onwards the ground was bathed in warm August sunshine and the dark storm clouds of the morning were long-forgotten. Thanks go to all teams involved in the competition for their understanding in challenging circumstances throughout the season, and also to Ted Tipper for administering the event so ably.