Champions - at the double!

7:40am Thursday 28th August 2008

DINAS Powys Cricket Club were crowned double champions last Saturday, for the first time in recent memory.

With both First and Second Elevens odds on for victory the heavens opened, but nothing could dampen Villagers' spirits as rain merely quickened the inevitable.

Gordon Hannah's First XI entertained Caerleon at the Common after a late change of venue, and were thrown in to bat in difficult conditions.

A battling display from all involved mustered a maximum haul of batting points - and with it confirmation of the Conference Division Three title.

A welcome return to the runs for Gareth Evans 30, a positive 27 from Ian Southwell and a battling 21 not out from Steve Bussell helped the cause, and posted a more than challenging total.

In response, Dinas Powys barely mustered 20 overs before the somewhat inevitable rain came, and the game was washed out prematurely. For record's sake, Caerleon were wavering at 74 for 3 at the time.

Wickets for Bussell and Danny Zaman (2) aided their own personal tallies, but the game was cruelly curtailed before any real chance of victory presented itself.

Special thanks to groundsman Ian Richardson, a Dinas player of some 30 years, who ensured the game got under way at all.

But unfortunately, there was a similar rain-soaked story for the Second XI.

Jason Harries and his troops travelled away to the same fixture, and were well on top when dragged off to the elements.

A healthy 229 for 6, with runs from Andy Smith (81), Lewis Clarke (30) and Tariq Ali (35) looked far too much for Caerleon, who sat in for 68 for 6 before the close.

A disappointing end to a fine season for the Villagers, but what a year it has been.

The First XI end with six wins from seven, while the Second XI boast eight from nine.

Both sides ran away with their respected leagues, but face a tough challenge and tougher opponents next time around.

The club is indebted to all players who have represented the village at all levels, and a hard-working and committed junior coaching staff and committee.

Special recognition goes, quite obviously, to promotion-winning captains Hannah and Harries, as well as stalwart scorers Simon Wilton and Ken Hannah.

Inspirational Chairman Mike Lowe has continued his good work through 2008, and mission has been most definitely accomplished!

As always, the club has an exciting close season planned, and interested parties are encouraged to visit the club's website for further details.

FUNDRAISER

On Bank Holiday Monday a Dinas Powys CC Select XI took the field against the Furry Cheque Books CC, in a match to raise funds for Dinas Powys Rotary Club.

Even the early morning rain could not prevent the match from starting and the game began only slightly later than planned at 2pm.

DPCC batted first and it was the brothers Wilton, Miles and Simon who opened the innings and scored 58 for the first wicket. The fall of S Wilton for 11 was a start of a very eventful over, of which DPCC went from 58 for 0 to 63 for 3, with Matthew Cummings dismissing Simon Hiscocks (4) and Miles Wilton (39). With some stability from Ian Southwell (17) and Jason Harries (20), DPCC found themselves in some bother at 112 for 6. However, Geoff Colley scored an important 49 to steady the ship and DPCC were eventually all out for 177. Best bowling for the Cheque Books went to Richard Harding, taking 5-26.

After the break DPCC took the field, in order to defend their total. With early wickets going to Josh Clogg (5-0-11-1) and James Hiscocks (4.5-1-13-4), the Cheque Books were in bother at 18-4 after 8 overs.

Skipper Mike Lowe redeemed himself after his performance with the bat by taking a double wicket maiden in his only over and taking a superb one handed diving catch to give S Hiscocks (2-1-1-1) his wicket.

Despite some lower order resistance, J Harries claimed 2-0-9-2 and S Wilton 2-0-9-1 to wrap up the tail and the Cheque Books finished on 70 all out.

R Harding rounded off an all-round performance by scoring 25.

DPCC wishes to thank everyone who was involved with the match, including Jamie Hosgood and all the sponsors who kindly donated raffle prizes.