The Shield and Plate competitions continued in the Willow League this past week, with recently crowned League champions South Glamorgan Education taking on Consmen. Batting first Nick Alan (49) and P Davies (56) gave Education a flying start as they shared a century opening stand. Some late wickets from Medcalf (2-16) and J Potter (2-21) did finally stem the flow of runs, but not before Education has posted a formidable 153-3. D Skirrow did his best to keep Consmen in the game as he played his way to the game’s top score of 65, there was support from A Hind (22) but the scoring rate always kept rising in the face of a disciplined Education attack. Luke Vincent grabbed 2-16 to lead Education, as Consmen closed on 102-4.
Cardiff Casuals and Cardiff Bay Barbarians faced off in a close Shield tussle. Batting first Casuals were restricted to just 88-8 as the BaaBaa’s bowlers kept things tight. Hagger and Mogridge both returned 1-9 in their spells, as the Casuals struggled to score. Richard Holliday top-scored with 18, followed by 16 from Mark Stephens, extra’s contributed a game changing 19 to the Casuals total. In reply the BaaBaa’s were led by Darren Mogridge’s 23, but with wickets falling all around him, only Hagger, with 12, could offer any support. Andy Hood’s spell of 0-2 stifled the top of the innings and with Simon Gough taking 3-10 to rattle through the tail, BaaBaa’s closed on 78-9.
Chartered Trust showed just why they led the League for so long with a handy win over Rhiwbina. Despite posting just 46 runs from the first half of the innings Steve Holton (43), Steve Mohring (33), John Cooper (26no) and Huw Liddell (23) helped to propel Trust to a closing score of 159-4. Rhiwbina started well in reply after losing an early wicket, with Mark Sutton hitting 20; a burst of 2-4 from Dale Owen stoped Rhiwbina in their tracks, and despite G Kunalan (24), with support from Dominic Cain (18) Rhiwbina were never able to threaten their target, closing on 102-5.
In the Plate, newcomers Cardiff Hockey played Cardiff University Staff. Batting first, Staff were indebted to the ever reliable Snehasis for their total of 94-7. A burst of 3-11 from Egan at the death prevented Staff from reaching three figures. The Hockey reply was steady, with good contributions from those batsmen required. Egan added 32no to his earlier wickets, M Gardiner hit 25 and T Jones 29no as Hockey easily overhauled their target, by 9 wickets.
In the final Plate match Cardiff Cavaliers easily overcame GE Healthcare by 88 runs. Andy Steadman led the way with 30, supported by Graham Chapman (23) and Nigel Adams (21no). GE Healthcare did themselves no favours in conceding a mammoth 46 extras. Thomas Gane was the one bright spot with 2-17. The reply never really got going, only Gordon Stephenson (14) reached double figures as the Cavaliers bowlers were on top from the start. Jimmy Marchant was the most successful with 2 wickets, whilst Matt Thomas (1-7) and M Twaits (0-7) were the most economical, as GE Healthcare closed on 63-7.