Match Report vs CMA 9th
June 2026 @ Bryn-y-Don, Dinas (Skipper Steveo, report
Rhys)
A home league game against CMA, Cardiff Malayalee Association.
One of the better sides in the league, and also our next cup
opponents. With such a wide range of players they have, we
may see a completely different XI to next week!
Jack picked me up en route to the game since my car is a
bit poorly. A trip down City Road was enough for Jack to already
get angry at other road users, and a quick reminisce of our
Casuals tour to Birmingham (and some shocking driving in the
Midlands – not referring to my golfing btw).
On arrival at the ground, captain Steve-O informed us that
he had won the toss (insert ‘expert tosser’ joke
here). A rare decision to field first followed, and out we
went to see the state of the wicket. Steve’s decision
to field first was heavily based on the fact that the pitch
was a bit of a pudding on one end. So much so, the decision
was made to bowl solely from the North end.
Huzaifa opened up along with Nadders. Both went for a few
boundaries in the first over, and after the batters had got
their eye the 3rd and 4th overs went for a bit more. CMA hitting
50 after the first four overs.
A change of bowling brought on Greg P and a breakthrough
was immediate. A late cut from their #1 bat was well taken
at backward point by Ben. The new batter was also excellent
and was able to dispatch even the good balls for straight
sixes and fours. Ben at the other end was able to loop some
‘air balls’ which proved difficult for the batsmen.
He was able to frustrate them enough to grab a wicket via
some excellent glovework from Jack behind the sticks.
Unfortunately, this only served to bring another good batsmen,
who was able to quickly score and frustrate the fielders.
Iwan on at the other end for a couple of overs, able to limit
them to 10 an over from his twelve balls. CMA 105-2 at the
halfway mark and scoring well.
Time for a bowling change, and with no notice skipper Steve
called upon Bruce - with no warmup and Bruce being located
in deep backward square leg, Steve realised it would be better
to get me on first (also with no warm up I hasten to add…!)
I decided to bowl a bit shorter on the muddy pitch and skid
it thru to the batsman with hopefully some uneven bounce and
a bit more pace. The tactic worked and managed to get a breakthru,
with Will taking a decent shoulder-high catch after moving
approximately 2cm to his left.
It was at this point that a Fox came running onto the pitch.
I say running, more of a saunter, as it was indeed Foxy -
who can’t stay away from watching his favourite team
at Bryn-Y-Don. A welcome addition to the field for about 1
minute while the batsman made his way to the crease, at which
point Foxy made his way back to the covers. By which I mean
the big metal ones. Good to see you Foxy, and happy 87th birthday!
New Casuals should click here to read more https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/cri
... s-31896511
I think I bowled a seven ball over, but who’s counting?!
Clearly not the umpires that’s for sure.
SteveO at the other end also managed to get a wicket –
two in fact. The first a skittling LBW of which the only decision
was whether or not it would have reached the stumps, rather
than its direction toward it…! The second a c&b
that made sure that the battle at the top of the catching
table vs Will ended 1-1 today.
Bruce and Hazaifa back to finish the innings. The former
on the receiving end of a quick fire 25 from their #4 who
finished on a rare 55*. Hazaifa finished off with the 6th
and final wicket of the innings. Bowling their #8 with an
excellent delivery. After Hazaifa nearly took the head off
their #7 batsman (twice!) CMA finished on a hefty 213-6. Extras
contributing 1/8th of the total.
Hazaifa 4-0-38-1
Nadders 2-0-28-0
Greg P 2-0-24-1
Ben W 4-0-28-1
Iwan J 2-0-20-0
SteveO 2-0-25-2
J Rhys 2-0-12-1
Bruce L 2-0-37-0
----------------------------------------
Could we chase down our largest ever T20 total? No. But did
we at least get close? Also no.
As always with CMA they have an excellent lineup of bowlers,
and even with a drying pitch (somewhat), it was proving difficult
to get the ball past the long grass and defensive field placement.
Plenty of singles for the opening pair Will & Greg, but
boundaries at a premium.
Will managed to cream a delightful cut past point to open
the boundary count, but was gone next ball to a straight one
with a bit more pace (7).
James joined Greg at the crease and hit a nice 4 early on,
but again the bowlers were able to limit them to singles.
Cazh 34-1 after 7 overs. Slow and steady, but unfortunately
way behind the runrate.
Our best bet was to hope for rain, and after a quick rain-dance
from our skipper a large cloud overhead started leaking. Unfortunately
for Steve it lasted about as long as Arsenal did in the Champions
League Final penalty shout-out. The game continues.
Greg was next to go (14), after some excellent shots which
found the long off fielder on many occasions (“Good
shot for one” etc). He was caught out trying to get
a bit more angle on the shot, which resulted in a decent looking
drive straight at mid-wicket.
A rare occasion where neither Jack or myself were opening,
and as Jack limped in at #4, the run rate was north of 15
an over. It was even more after a maiden, bowled by their
#2 bat who of course was handy with the ball too.
James was run out, despite Jack being the injured one, and
I joined at the crease. Some quick ones and twos ensued, and
strangely it was Jack who was calling me thru, honest. I managed
to get to (14) before being stumped tidily off their fastest
bowler who definitely had the shortest run up! 75-4.
Jack was able to hit a few boundaries but we were never in
danger of coming close to their score. With our new target
getting to 100, Nadders came in with Captain’s instructions
of ‘just give it a swing’. He did just that but
was c&b for (1) by the same bowler that got me.
I missed Jack’s (19) dismissal as I was changing, but
it was possibly off the right arm round bowler who pitched
every delivery outside leg. Either way, the Steve-O School
Of Umpiring paying dividends for the Cazh who gave him out,
lucky to remain nameless since I didn’t see!
Ben and SteveO at the crease, and if you bet the ambitious
OVER 10 line on balls faced for our captain you would be basking
in glory as it took 11 balls before Steve was dismissed, bowled
for (5) amidst blue air every time he took a swing and a miss!
Iwan faced a couple of balls but was unable to trouble the
scorers meaning the Casuals finished on 88-7, way short of
the target, but raring to go to the pub for some Guinness
0%. If we finish half hour early next time we can perhaps
catch the 2 meals for £12 offer. Just saying.
Well done to CMA who we have to play again in the cup QF next
week. See you then.
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WMW bowled 7 (8)
Greg P ct 14 (20)
James B run out 14 (20)
Jack B LBW 19 (22)
J Rhys Stumped 14 (15)
Nadders c&b 1 (6)
Ben W Not Out 3* (11)
SteveO bowled 5 (11)
Iwan J Not Out 0* (2)
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