28th April 2025
| Matt Thompson
Wales NC v Dorset Review
Wales National County had a disappointing start to their NCCA One Day Trophy campaign yesterday as their attempts to improve upon their poor record against Dorset in white ball cricket continued.
Despite winning the toss at Lisvane Dorset's opening pair of Luke Webb and Finn Gordon put on 60 for the first wicket, before the former fell leg before to Rhodri Lewis (2-34) on his Welsh debut. The latter held the innings together with it being difficult to score but even when he well for a well constructed 82, Dorset were able to put pressure on the Wales bowlers heading into the last 10 overs. Jacob Gordon (62) and a breezy 30* from Alex Eckland propelled them 238-7 though Wales were exceedingly generous with 30 extras accumulated. Left arm seamer Ollie Sherwood returned repsectable figures of 2-48 on NCCA debut.
CAPTION: Rhodri Lewis celebrates his maiden Wales NC wicket, and was one of the few bright spots in a losing cause. Credit: CIAC Images
A beautiful lofted six over mid on by Will Smale suggested this could have been a successful chase for the home side, but that was quickly dashed when he spooned one skyward the very next ball. When Brad Wadlan's leading edge was fantastically caught one handed at mid off by Will Tripcony in the next over, Wales were in all too familiar territory. Matt Burton and Joe Carson continued to rip through Wales with Friend, Herring and Lewis all falling cheaply. At 56-5 it would have taken something special to get back in the game and the lower order could only get Wales up to 102 before succumbing to defeat.
Wales will cling at the chance to right this result immediately with Hertfordshire the visitors next Sunday at Sudbrook, having beaten them at Hitchin last year. A win there could provide some momentum into the double header the next day against Wiltshire on the bank holiday Monday.
Wales NC North v Staffordshire CCC Review
A glorious day at St Asaph saw both sides enjoy a thorough workout as visiting Staffordshire looked to prepare for their NCCA One Day Trophy opener next weekend.
Wales NC North skipper Will Ryan elected to bat first on a good wicket and fast outfield, and may have felt his side left 40-50 runs on the field by the time the North reached 233-7 at the end of their innings. There were plenty of starts - Matt Ryan (22), Jac Kennedy (32), Nat Scott (25) and the skipper himself (29) among them - but the innings lacked someone go on and make a big score, something which Ben Beaver did his best to do as he ended on 49* able supported by a quick fire 30 from Dan Evans as they put on 60 for the seventh wicket. The spritely off spin of Matthew Morris (3-39) did the bulk of the damage for Staffs who began the chase with a stand of 51 between Berlusconi and Morris. That was ended to a fine diving catch behind by Luke Russell before Evans trapped the dangerous Reev Evitts leg before. When Denbigh skipper Harrison Jones snuck one past the defence of former Glamorgan batter and Staffs captain James Kettleborough for 37 the game was very much in the balance. Sam Aplin's leg spin accounted for McHale and Bonehill but the North couldn't dislodge Morris who remained unbeaten on 83* off 117 balls and guided Staffs to a well fought win.
A really great day's cricket all round with plenty of signs that the North have some promising players to head into the bulk of the season with. Special thanks to St Asaph for their outstanding provision on and off the field.
CAPTION: Wales NC North - sponosred by WPV Property Ventures - had a productive day against Staffordshire CCC's 1st XI.
Wales Disability v Yorkshire
Jack Page's side opened up their ECB D40 North group with an encouraging win against visitors Yorkshire at Sudbrook.
Page chose to bat first and will have been pleased to see his team occupy the crease for their alloted 40 overs - something that has been a challenge in recent seasons. Whilst 153-9 might have felt attainable for Yorkshire it was a score on the board nonetheless thanks to a watchful 33 from Ioan Martin, supported by Dan Quick (20) after the early loss of Rhys Gaskins-Davies. With plenty of extras (39) helping Wales along they were indebted to the skipper for getting them up past 150 who, along with Alex Lloyd scampered their way to the end of the innings with some assertive running between the wickets.
Yorkshire in reply were not allowed to get going in earnest as Josh Mead and Michael Weatherbsy kept things tight before Scott Bishop tore through the visitors line up to register his maiden five wicket haul (5-11) for Wales. He was ably supported by Rhys Gaskins-Davies (2-29) and it was younger brother Rhodri who contributed by running out key player Curtis Sugden (32).
Wales head to Cheshire in a fortnight's time looking to register back to back wins in the competition for the first time in over two years.
CAPTION: Ioan Martin (pictured), alongside Scott Bishop played a key role in helping Wales get over the line against Yorkshire. Credit: CIAC Images.