The Willow League entered its second week of play in the 2008 season in much better weather than the first.
Last years runners up, South Glamorgan Education continued to look the part as they took on Cardiff University Staff. Nick Allen (26), John Sparks (35) and Paul Harding (37) all scored runs at the top of the order as Education rattled up 147-6 in their allotted overs. Andy Lloyd and matt Turner both picked up 2 wickets for Staff. The Education bowlers kept a tight lid on the scoring rate s wickets tumbled regularly, Jack Lansdown (3-5) led the way with excellent support from Tim Wegener (1-7), Andy Parry (1-10) and Steve Parker (2-20) as Uni Staff were restricted to just 59-8 in reply. Andy Lloyd top scored with 20, Snehasis (18) was the only other batsman to reach double figures.
Defending champions, Cardiff Casuals also started strongly as they faced Cardiff Bay Barbarians. The BaaBaa’s were bowled out for 83, with only Imran (26) making much headway. S Karim snared 3 wickets in his solitary over to finish the innings, whilst S Hand (1-10) and Matt Foote (2-11) had started the damage. Hand’s 21 not out from the number 8 spot sealed the win for Casuals after Goad, Akbari and O’Reilly had all made it to double figures before falling. Hagger (2-10) led the BaaBaa’s attack, but overall the bowling couldn’t deliver the control required, as Casuals coasted home with 3 overs to spare.
Rhiwbina and Cardiff Cavaliers fought a tense game down to the wire. Batting first, Rhiwbina posted 124-4 on the back of 30 from George Oliver and 32 from Dan Clayton, and a late 27no from Dominic Cain. Ross Bowen’s 1-14 was the pick of the Cavaliers attack, though Dave Parsons did grab both top scorers in his 2-20. Cavaliers started well in reply, anchored by Andy Steadman, and added by a slew of wides (30) from the Rhiwbina bowlers. Ashleigh Crowter’s (2-10) snared Steadman for 29 and despite a late 27no from Nigel Adams, Cavaliers fell two runs short, Rhiwbina’s John Davies serving up a blockhole delivery to save the game.
There were bowling hauls aplenty when Eclipse Print met British Airways. Batting first Eclipse were reduced to 18-5 by a brilliant spell of 4-5 by Jason Owens. A partnership of 47 between Brian Condon (24) and Kevin Hull (14) steadied the ship, allowing Rob Dayton-Jones to blast 22no to boost Print to 98-8 at the close. Simon Morgan added 3-26 to complete the wicket taking. Both Hull and Dayton-Jones then starred with the ball, taking 3-12 and 5-17 respectively as BA were bundled out for 71, Rose top scored with 12.
In the final match, Chartered Trust faced GE Healthcare. Batting first GE Healthcare were indebted to 38no from opener Ian James as they posted 82-6, Andy Gane’s 14 was the only other double digit score. Craig Mohrings’s 2-9 was the pick of the Trust attack, John Waters returned 1-9 to provide able support. The Trust reply was quickly in trouble as Dave Powell (3-4) bowled well opening up, but there was no support at the other end as Craig Mohring blasted an unbeaten half century, supported by Mark Pickenell (23no) as Trust cantered home by 7 wickets.