Match Report (Cup Final)
vs Radyr Family 4th August 2023 @ Pontcanna(Skipper
Luvvers, report Steve B)
After being rained off the previous week, a dry spell of
weather came at the right time and we were all set to make
the trip up to the Elysian Fields of St Fagan’s cricket
club for the cup final. Unfortunately, those in power up on
Nob Hill enforced their no Irish, no dogs, no Casuals policy
and it took some great work behind the scenes to get the game
on.
So off to Pontcanna Fields. The start was delayed, due road
closures on Western Ave from just before 6, which impacted
mainly Jim who happened to have the kit bag in the boot. Jim
turned up, we took to the field, and Steve-O stood in for
an over or two while Jim performed his pre-match rituals and
kitted up.
The match was 18 overs and the Casuals fielded first.
Dan opened from the caravan park end with a typically tight
over and bowled one of the Radyr openers with a classic Lewis
cutter.
Goff from the other end, with a similarly tight bunch of
deliveries, taking advantage of an unpredictable pitch and
bowling the other opener. Radyr 5-2.
Dan and Goff bowled their seconds overs, going for a boundary
each but a solid start for the Casuals.
Biggs on next from the caravan end. The Radyr number 3 was
looking dangerous but came a cropper due to some hesitation
over running a second followed by a pin-point throw from Rob
which allowed Biggs to remove the bails.
Biggs finished with a wicket maiden and Liam completed his
overs from the other end.
My memory of the rest of Radyr’s innings is a bit hazy
from this point. In summary: Jack took a good c&b and
ran under a couple of catches on the boundary. There were
a few thin edges behind that probably didn’t quite amount
to chances and Rob took a good catch off DT’s bowling.
Will bowled.
Radyr had two batters retire having reached their 25 and
this brought a small child to the crease. Unfortunately, this
coincided with skip bringing himself on for his overs. There
was much debate about what style of bowling was reasonable
in the circumstances. Luvvers led the ‘it’s just
a game and he’s a child’ camp, while Goff advocated
for team ‘that's what his helmet's for’.
In the end, skip sent down some medium pace and took a bit
of punishment from the youngster.
Nothing against juniors playing but perhaps it has to be
questioned when it affects how the opposition are able to
bowl in a cup final.
A strong partnership at the end brought Radyr to 130-6 at
the end of their 18 overs. It felt like a decent total on
that pitch and we probably should have restricted them to
10-15 less.
Lewis 2-0-11-1
Goff 2-0-9-1
Biggs 2-1-5-1
Liam 2-0-20-0
Jack 2-0-20-1
DT 2-0-19-1
Rhys 1-0-6-0
Will 1-0-8-0
Skip 2-0-19-0
Rob 2-0-18-0
Quick turn around and Casuals out to bat with skip and Rhys
opening. A positive start was halted when Rhys was bowled
for 1 in the 2nd over, bringing WMW to the crease.
Will and Luvvers played with confidence on a tricky pitch
and both played some great shots including a couple of maximums
for Will. They both retired having reached 25 and Rob and
Jack looked to keep things moving. There were some well taken
singles and the score was ticking over. Jack also pumped one
back down the ground for 6. We were still in a strong position
at this stage with 2 in the hutch and the score still moving
along.
Rob and Jack were both then run out and Dan fell very quickly
LBW. Jim attempted to keep things going but was also given
LBW.
Steve and Goff tried to keep the scoreboard ticking over
but other than a lusty maximum from G, both fell relatively
cheaply while lashing out.
It’s fair to say that the runs had dried up at this
stage. The RRR was creeping up and Will and skip were understandably
keen to get back in. Liam scored a few and DT struck his customary
quick 2 before the rabbits returned from the hutch needing
20 odd from the last 2 overs. It was extremely dark at this
point and skip missed one that I’m not sure he saw and
was bowled with the Cazh all out for 112.
So it was not to be. An enjoyable match but the better team
probably won on the night.
Our illustrious treasurer treated the team to some chips
and bonus sausages at the pub and all eyes now turn to league
and cup double next season.
Loveridge – bowled – 26
Davies – bowled – 1
WMW – not out – 25
Owens – run out – 8
Beaumont – run out – 9
Jim – LBW – 4
Lewis – LBW – 0
Biggs – bowled – 6
Goff – caught – 9
Liam – bowled – 4
DT – bowled - 2
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