MCCC - Briton Ferry Home Report

Result: Drawn Game
Date: 10th May 2008
Venue: Celtic Welfare Park
Toss: Won by Maesteg Celtic who chose to bat
Highlights: Roger Barnes (89), Philip Poole (2-6), Lee Morgan (2-9)
Points: Maesteg Celtic 19, Briton Ferry Town 6

Match Report

Celtic only have themselves to blame for not collecting maximum points against a poor Ferry Town team. Despite an excellent batting performance, a shabby fielding display, which contained several dropped catches ultimately cost them the win.

Earlier some excellent batting by Celtic had put them in a strong position to win the game at tea. A solid opening stand of 66 by Gareth Hopkins and Nick Poole provided the platform for the middle order and thanks to Roger Barnes and Phil Poole they did not disappoint.

Barnes continued his fine start to the season, smashing 89 of just 58 balls. He put the back-up Town bowlers to all parts of the ground, smashing 9 fours and 5 sixes in his sparkling knock. He was well supported by Phil Poole, who despite not having the power of Barnes, scored a decent 28 off 38 balls, the pair putting on 99 for the 5th wicket.

With the departure of Barnes, caught on the boundary with a century begging the innings faded away. It was left to the cheetah like running of keeper Geraint Evans to scramble a couple of byes to get the score past the 210 mark.

It was always going to be a difficult chase for the visitors with the wicket drying out. That was further in evidence when in the 2nd over opening bat Richards had to retire hurt after being rapped on the gloves by a popping delivery by Lee Hicks. Then in his next over Hicks clean bowled spinner Arshad with a pearler.

However, ex-cimla man Bagridge and opening bowler Asif decided to take the attack to the bowlers, putting on 48 for the 2nd wicket. Anything up they smashed over the top, although the latter was fortunate to survive, twice being dropped.

Some good captaincy though by Harris changed the game. Pushing back the field and cutting off their scoring shot seemed to stifle Bagridge, who was out the next over caught and bowled Barnes. Asif soon followed, triggering a collapse which saw wickets tumble constantly and the home team strolling towards victory.

Standing in the Celtics way though was the stubborn but boring and shot-less batting of Matthews, who faced 97 balls for just 11 runs. As wickets fell at the other end, the drab looking Matthews stood firm and with overs running out several bowlers were used to try and prise out the last few wickets.

Harris turned to ‘Retired’ ex-captain Lee Morgan, playing as a batsman, to bowl spin in tandem with his 14 year old son, Thomas. Senior Morgan had Arnold bowled and young Morgan then picked up his first senior wicket, thanks to Nick Poole taking a neat, spiralling catch at mid-on.

With only two more wickets left, opening bat Richards returned to the fold, much to the amusement of the fielding side as every ball left him wincing in pain. He was soon trapped LBW by a fired-up Lee Morgan now bowling like the wind. Despite a huge shout for LBW on Matthews by Barnes in the penultimate over, the visitors managed to cling on for an unlikely draw.

Scorecard

Celtic Innings:

Batsman	How Out	Bowler	Runs
G Hopkins	Ct J Joseph	S Amin	34 (80)
N Poole	Ct. D Crowther	S Amin	31 (77)
I Herbert	Bowled	M Arshad	0 (7)
R Barnes	Ct. S Amin	M Arshad	89 (58)
L Morgan	LBW	O Fawad	1 (6)
P Poole	Bowled	M Arshad	28 (39)
L Harris	LBW	M Arshad	0 (1)
A Green	Bowled	M Asif	3 (3)
L Hicks	Bowled	M Arnold	4 (4)
T Morgan	Not	Out	2 (3)
G Evans	Not	Out	2 (8)
		Extras	18
	50 Overs	(for 9 wkts)	212

F.O.W: 66-1, 70-2, 70-3, 90-4, 189-5, 189-6, 193-7, 200-8, 200-9

Ferry Town Innings:

Batsman	How Out	Bowler	Runs
N Bagridge	Ct & Bowled	R Barnes	25 (72)
S Richards	LBW	L Morgan	0 (21)
M Arshad	Bowled	L Hicks	2 (6)
M Asif	Ct.G Evans	P Poole	24 (60)
A Mainwairing	Ct. R Barnes	L Harris	4 (7)
S Amin	Run	Out	3 (29)
I Matthews	Not	Out	11 (97)
D Crowther	Bowled	P Poole	0 (2)
M Arnold	Bowled	L Morgan	6 (14)
O Fawad	Ct.N Poole	T Morgan	9 (5)
J Joseph	Not	Out	0 (4)
		Extras	23
	50 Overs	(for 9 wkts)	107

F.O.W: 6-1, 54-2, 63-3, 63-4, 76-5, 79-6, 87-7, 96-8, 107-9.

Maesteg Celtic - Lyndsey Harris (Capt), Gareth Hopkins, Nick Poole, Ian Herbert, Roger Barnes, Lee Morgan, Phil Poole, Andrew Green, Lee Hicks, Thomas Morgan, Geraint Evans (wkt).

Bowler	Overs	Mdns	Runs	Wkts
L Hicks	11	3	33	1
R Barnes	13	4	28	1
L Harris	10	6	6	1
P Poole	7	3	6	2
L Morgan	5	2	9	2
T Morgan	4	3	6	1