30th September 2014
| Mallory Gray
The Wales 50’s D&M side has completed the 2014 season playing in the final of the Southern Counties Senior Championship against Dorset 50’s, a game that was played at Trowbridge CC on the 12th September. Unfortunately, the Wales team lost the Final by 9 wickets. In reaching the Final, the team had won 7 of their 8 championship games, Somerset x 1, Devon x 2, Gloucestershire x 2 & Wiltshire x 2.
On a glorious sunny day, Danny Griffiths (Carmarthen Wanderers CC) won the toss and elected to bat, a strategy that had worked well during the season. However, with the tight Dorset bowling, the team score at 20 overs was only 57; several batsmen reached double figures and at the end of the 45 overs Wales were 177 all out, Paul Bennett (Chepstow CC) scoring an excellent 63.
After tea, the players were confident of making inroads into the Dorset batting line up. However, the Dorset opening pair of Jim Ryall and John Young tore into the Welsh seamers and put on 62 in the first 10 overs. Danny changed tactics and brought on the spin attack of Steve Jones (Burton CC) and Paul Webb (Whitland CC) who slowed the scoring down considerably. However, with the batsmen working well together they batted sensibly, with Jim Ryall finally falling on 98, Dorset went on to win by 9 wkts in the 41st over. Excellent bowling by Steve Jones (Burton CC) - 9-4-11-0, certainly deserved a wicket or two.
Back Row: Steve Richmond (Porthcawl CC); Paul Donovan (Tata Steel CC); Steve Richards (Briton Ferry CC); Paul Bennett (Chepstow CC); Nigel Clayton (Bridgend CC); Janice Webb (Scorer); Leighton O'Connor (Whitland CC); Brian Dixon (Wales Umpire)
Front Row: Dave Rickets (Cardiff CC); Keith Davies (Cimla CC); Danny Griffiths Capt (Carmarthen Wanderers CC); Steve Jones (Burton CC); Paul Webb (Whitland CC)
The Welsh D&M Championship side has only been playing in this championship league for two seasons and has reached the final in both seasons. 21 players were called on to represent Wales during this season and 22 called on last season, all representing their country in the most professional manner. Their support is certainly appreciated by captain Danny Griffiths.
The squad is able to field two 49 year old's in this championship, therefore if there is any Welsh cricketer out there currently playing league cricket and who would like to have a taste of championship cricket in this age group please contact Danny on -
[email protected] or 07768574620.