SWCA Division 3    23 July 2005

Carmarthen Wanderers v Hirwaun

SPARKLING WIN SETS UP TENSE SEASON FINISH

An excellent win at Carmarthen ensures Hirwaun have a chance of survival in Division Three, after brilliant match-winning knocks from Jordan Coles and Mathew Flynn. Hirwaun won the toss and elected to field first opting to chase down. The pitch looked a belter, although the first ball of the match went along the floor! Once again Williams and Roberts opened up, and both bowlers got into the groove immediately. Williams found some seam movement and was close on a few occasions to clean bowling the opener who wasn't playing a shot.

Roberts finished with figures of 15-6-25-1 and again showed exceptional control of line and length giving nothing away throughout. Williams' first spell was easily his best, and he ended with 2-60. Flynn (2-55) bowled with energy on this occasion and the caught behind wicket was an absolute jaffa, leaping at the batsmen. Jason Castaldi again showed that he has the qualities to bowl in the middle-late period of the game, ending with 10-3-38-3. His cutters and swingers have consistently caused batsmen problems this season, and his spells have been crucial in taking wickets. For Carmarthen, the innings ended positively after being 115-7. 140 should have been the target, but a combination of slightly loose bowling and good batting ensured Carmarthen reached 190. O Davies (43) top scored, but he was ably assisted throughout. N Davies (35no) also played excellently, with the youngster showing much promise.

A tough chase then, but the pitch was playing true and Hirwaun always play well on good tracks. Gareth Tay was back in the team after a few weeks absence, and together with Roberts opened up. Coles dropped down to four after a season of frustration, and the move paid off. Although Tay was out cheaply, Roberts was looking to play through the early barrage from Rogers. Roberts hit his usual over ten score to avoid fines, before the quick left armed bowled him playing on. Then Morgan fell used as a pinch-hitter. By now Rogers was bowling very fast. Shopland was now at the crease with Coles, but lasted only a matter of minutes before Rogers got one right and smashed Shopland in the face with a searing bouncing delivery. It was fast and well directed, and with claret all over the place Shopland had to go off for a while to clean himself up. The skippers move proved inspirational, and although Mathew almost shit-out of batting because of the pace of Rogers, he nevertheless walked slowly to the crease. The rest is history, as the two youngsters plundered the bowling. Rogers didn't seem to have the penetration after the retired hurt incident, and the rest of the bowling attack was one-dimensional. Coles went from accumulating to hitting boundaries, as they both batted sensibly for long periods.

With the overs ticking away, and the win in our grasp, both batters started to play with flair and style. Coles by now was punishing anything marginally off target with force and aggression, whilst Flynn played with grace chancing his arm every now and again. The last half an hours cricket was superb, as Coles reached a brilliant 87no, and Flynn backing him up with an equally superb 63no. Runs were scored everywhere, as the Carmarthen heads dropped and Hirwaun won with a bit to spare. A very fine effort from the middle order, ensured that we have a chance of staying in three in what was one of the most pleasurable partnerships in recent years. 24 points then, and more hard graft until the seasons end.

SWCA Division 3    9 July 2005

Baglan v Hirwaun

DRAW SECURED, WITH SOME PROMISING PERFORMANCES

Hirwaun reduced Baglan to 84/8 in this away encounter, getting the better half of the draw in the process. After winning the toss skipper Shopland elected to bat on what looked like a solid enough wicket, with the problem of the wicket getting lower and more variable as the game went on in the back of his mind. And so it proved as once again star bat Roberts succumbed to a skidder, leg before, again reaching the twenty mark. And Gareth Howells was unluckily given out for four with no luck on his side. Jordan Coles battled away before he was bowled when just into double figures, finding the accuracy a little too difficult to get away.

Form players Shopland and Flynn were once again at the crease together, but the bowling proved too good in the early stages. Flynn hit a Guiness Book of Records 16 consecutive drives to fielders placed at every possible angle, and Shopland's only get out shot was the risky mid wicket flick. Although he got a few away, this proved to be his downfall as one lobbed straight to mid-on's hands. Flynn meanwhile was happy to accumulate, and this season there has been a growing maturity about his game. The step was needed, and together with the rest of the team runs started to flow when the comedy stuff came on. After the accuracy and pressure bowling of the first few bowlers, came the lobby stuff which wouldn't have been out of place at a celebrity benefit game. From the side the words 'buffet' was regular uttered!

Nicky Thomas was unluckily run out and Fridgey Williams walked off from an edge, something that would backfire on us a little later. Jason Castaldi hit a nice little 10, and Williams gave some support. Hirwaun desperately needed a boost to achieve a competitive total and with the help of an excellent 22no from John Coles, which included a towering six which collided with the 4.45 train to Port Talbot, Flynn was able to reach 45no, and steer us to 150/8. With the last hurrah of Coles, and the sensible, patient, and intelligent knock of Flynn we had dug ourselves out of hole. Mathew's knock was the epitome of what is needed this season. It will be foolish to think we can just plank bowlers about like the olden days, because there's more good balls around the corner. That's why these determined efforts are valuable in reaching our totals. In time honoured fashion there were mutterings of 'batsmen not doing their job', but the more experienced players knew that the reason we looked like divs on times was because the wicket was started to get wicked. For Baglan, Mathews (2-17), Gowdin (3-22) and Lewis (2-28), were the main contributors.

Early wickets was the order of the day, and Williams knew he had to produce. Mike opened alongside him, and soon Hirwaun were on their way. A consistent line and length was being achieved from both players and soon their batsmen grew agitated. One followed another as the pressure was mounting on a pitch that was growing even more uneven, with Williams extracting some bounce and some cut. Something last seen against Bronwydd in 2001. Not only that but Williams managed to take a caught and bowled. Even rarer, because his last was against Kidwelly in 1999! Was there anything this man couldn't do on this day? Arguably, the turning point of the game came when Gareth Howells, took a remarkable catch running backwards from mid-on. Castaldi bowled, and the batsmen top edged one that would have hit the roof in the Millenium Stadium. Not only did the ball have snow on it, but it had some other debris on it not of this world, as the ball disappeared through the clouds. Running back, turning, then sprinting, Howells managed to bring out a stunning dive to take the catch of the season. The batsman couldn't believe it. And neither could we as at least five players were seen walking back to their markers for the next ball.

Williams bowled majestically, and Roberts kept the rate down. The spell of the game though belonged to Castaldi with a brilliant 10-7-10-3. It was a crucial part of the game, and he deserved all three wickets producing some fine accurate leg cut bowling, just when the pressure was back onto us. Mathew bowled with spirit, although the phrase 'bowling within himself' was whispered around the field. The youngster for Baglan battled out to make it a draw, although he was caught behind earlier and refused to walk. It proved to be a frustrating last ten overs, as they limped to 84/8. However, the performance levels of some were excellent, and perhaps some members are starting to put their hands up and reach their potential after a shaky start. It's a team game, and the scorecard showed that it's not a matter of batsmen v bowlers, and the blame factor being shifted to certain areas, but a matter of everyone chipping in when they bat. Everyone is capable of scoring runs if the big guns don't come off, and so it proved here. Encouraging stuff, as we strive for survival.

SWCA Division 3   25 June 2005

Hirwaun v Pontardawe

PONTARDAWE DRAW, AS COXON PUNISHES HIS WAY TO CENTURY

The Welfare track looked like a minefield as 'Waun won the toss and duly elected to bowl first. But surprisingly, for the first time this season, the home surface proved to be fair to both bowlers and batsmen playing true throughout the contest. The big wicket came early on as dangerman Davies was beaten by a fast and full Williams delivery, and the camp was more than happy to see the back of the powerful opener who was in no way going to hang about. Flynn bowled with some vigour early on, and although Williams took another wicket, the away team started to find their feet trusting the surface more and more.

Instead it was Roberts who came away from the game with the wickets, taking 4/52 off 12. Reuben Morgan bowled economically enough without being too threatening and his one wicket for 22 off eight showed this to be the case. Coxon batted excellently for a well deserved century with Appleby weighing in with 32. A mixture of bowling changes ensued in the middle to end period, including the re-introduction of Flynn (12-1-65-1) and a few overs off Castaldi (3-1-12-0). Strike bowler Williams fisnihed with figures of 2/66 off his full quota of overs, unable to penetrate the lower order batsmen's defences. Pontardawe finished on 224/8, as again we struggled to bowl properly for long periods of time.

After the tea interval, Hirwaun restored Roberts to opener together with Coles. After a succession of fours, Roberts managed to pick out square leg pulling straight into his hands. It's turning out to be one of those seasons for the normally prolific Roberts, who looked so comfortable until the error. Yet again however he's getting himself out rather than the bowler doing the trick, and probably only once this season has he been beaten by a good ball. Then Tay walked to the crease, got dropped first ball by the wicket keeper, and was then bowled without scoring. And then Coles was bowled by a leg cutter. The net result was 17/3. Mathew Flynn had been promoted to five for this fixture, and he didn't disappoint as he joined Shopland to set about rebuilding. Getting off the mark, and getting to double figures proved easy for Flynn as every bad ball was dispatched with ease. Growing in confidence the pair managed to slowly dig themselves out of trouble.

The Pontardawe bowling wasn't especially good to be fair, but they didn't bowl the easily hittable four ball, which is a recurring theme this season. Flynn eventually reached 37 when he launched a pull to mid-wicket, and the disappointment was obvious as a fifty seemed inevitable. A yard either side, and Matthew would have no doubt eventually reached the well deserved milestone in what was difficult circumstances early on. His knock was probably the shining moment of the day. Shopland started to gain some momentum, and was hitting the cover-drive especially well, when he too fell in disappointing fashion for 40, caught on the boudary off a hit-me pie full toss.

The win had slipped away, but the next target was to ensure we had some part of the draw points. Nicky Thomas made 30 before being unluckily caught on the boundary...another very good catch. Then Williams was probably unlucky to get run out, when the plumpest man on the field not only picked the ball up as efficiently as he could, but pinged one to the wicky one bounce, a fraction from the stumps. With the keeper doing the rest Fridge was run out. In between this, Manning was out bowled. To be nice about it, the shot bordered on criminal. Probably closer to the truth was that there was little or no application and little willingness to even remotely contribute to the cricket game. Jason Castaldi and Andrew Williams saw the team to 166/8, with JC reaching 14no even though the one run for some points proved almost impossible to get from four balls :-) 

The league is tight, but we're leaving it very late to mount a serious mid-table challenge. Still the combination of loose bowling, and poor batting starts is putting us on the back foot. 17/3 again, left us with rebuilding to do instead of being able to aggressively hunt down the target, and we are still waiting for some special individual performances from any number of people who owe the rest of the team a good showing.

PONTARDAWE 224/8 (18pts), DREW WITH HIRWAUN 166/8 (9pts)

SWCA Division 3   18 June 2005

Briton Ferry Town v Hirwaun

TOWN'S 'INVISIBLE TOUCH' TOO GOOD WITH HIRWAUN 'THROWING IT ALL AWAY'

Hirwaun's slump continued on a baking day at Briton Ferry as once again inept performances came to the fore in another spineless and lucklustre performance. Losing the toss on a spongy wicket Hirwaun's changed line-up looked to get the season kick-started, but got off to the worst possible start losing a wicket early on. Steve Manning and Jordan Coles found the going difficult against a keen and eager attack bowling with energy, gusto and spirit. A leg before decision saw the back of Manning, and when stalwart Tay was uncharacteristically bowled and Coles found himself snaffled in a caught and bowled, Hirwaun were in deep trouble at 17-3 with around a fifth of the overs gone. The plan of having the more experienced players batting in the middle period of the game didn't come off, as Roberts and Shopland tried to set about rebuilding a decimated scorecard. Not only did the plan of giving Roberts a break not come off, but the bowlers now had their backs up bowling pacy, cutting deliveries threatening the stumps with almost every delivery.

Hirwaun knew that they were 'In Too Deep' and survival was the order of the day. Occasionally a bad ball was bowled and the rate began to creep up, in the wake of several bowling changes. It was an impressive and passionate bowling performance from the openers though with the opening left armer bowling fifteen overs straight away. It was obvious he wanted to be there and to bowl with vigour even in scorching weather. It was a tribute to what the bowling and attitude needs to be like and although he got on everybody's nerves with his old age pensioner style moaning and groaning, he turned out to be a captain's dream with his drive and determination and never once questioned his full quota of overs stint. Roberts' vigil was over for 17 in the middle period of the game, edging another full blooded drive in what is becoming a frustrating method of dismissal. And then disaster struck as the Victor Meldrew leftie dismissed Shopland for 35 in the last ball of his spell, adjudged leg before. Nicky Thomas and Mathew Flynn looked to up the tempo as some temporary buffet bowling was served up, as they both contributed 19 to the cause. Extra's weighed in with 17, as the innings began to crumble rapidly. A combination of the bowling being much too good and shot selection proved the downfall of a few as 125 all out was reached it seemed to be 'Follow You, Follow Me' back to the pavilion as we didn't even reach the fifty overs.

Phil Collins helped to 'Turn It On Again' for the home side taking 3-19, and Morgan finished with 5-31. Professional, and obviously with more ability, Ferry just proved how difficult this season will be for us with some of their players on a different planet to ours. 125 was going to be difficult to defend, but once again it was same old same old. It's now apparent that the early season puddings played into our hands, and that we've probably blagged it a bit. Until now that is. Flynn managed just 6 overs of 'strike bowling' sending skipper Shopland into a 'Land of Confusion'. It was once again disappointing as a spirited knock from Matthew proved to take all the energy out of him when the bowling came about. Roberts pegged his bowling back from a very poor start to record a decent 1-28 off 9, and Mathew took a wicket for 22 runs.

Without Fridgey and Hawksey though the control is no longer there for sustained periods as the four ball is offered up far too easily and far too often. The amount of pull shots off our bowling is worrying, and the fact that there have been no slip catches or gully catches of any nature proves the ball just isn't going into the right areas. The usually reliable Castaldi spilled one, to start off an argument with one of their players who like some of their other players had something to say all game. Steve Manning bowled with some vigour with his 5 overs for 18, and Morgan recorded 6 and a half overs for 30. Castaldi was the other bowler going for 22 off 4 and picking up a wicket. S Richards (33) and man-of-the-match Morgan (51*) cruised to victory for the loss of just three wickets. Not much can be said that hasn't already been said, it's up to the players playing at the moment to change things. Perhaps it's the luxury of knowing that they are virtually irreplaceable that's the problem. Whatever it is the smug attitudes and perhaps people feeling they are much better than what they are has to be changed, and quickly. Until then let's just pray for a week of sun so that the Welfare pudding can dry out and prove something of a belter at least.

SWCA Division 3   11 June 2005

^{Hirwaun v Ffynone}

^{HIRWAUN TO THE SLAUGHTER}

SWCA Division 3   4 June 2005 

SWCA Division 3 - 28th May 2005

Cimla v Hirwaun

TRIUMPHANT 'WAUN WIN CROCKER OF A GAME

This was a game that had to be won to keep in touch with the pace setters this season. And Hirwaun didn't disappoint with a six wicket victory in blustery conditions. With a massive slope, a cow patch of a field, and winds which took the metallic paint off some of the cars, Shopland had little doubt that Cimla would bat first. It was a slow start from the fielding side though, as the batsmen looked comfortable scoring off the one bad ball an over repeatedly. Morgan and Williams opened the attack but found it difficult to maintain any pressure due partly to the cross breeze. It was the introduction of Roberts and Castaldi though that changed the game with some accurate bowling. Stevens looked a class apart to be fair, and it was vital that we saw the back of him otherwise a big score was on the cards. Roberts delivered in spades though on this day, and his leg spin, combined with the partnership breaker Castaldi pegged Cimla back quite remarkably. Castaldi finished with 2/25, whilst Roberts recorded a stunning 7/36 off 13.4 overs. A brilliant fightback saw Cimla slump to 140 all out, with the last 5 wickets going for next to nothing. Stevens' 48, Hanney's 28 and Crocker's 25 were the key scores, and the bowlers deserved every credit in such weather. Some excellent keeping from Williams was also the basis for the fightback and such performances will have to be achieved every week.

At tea Hirwaun were confident of chasing this total, but things are never quite straightforward with this team, and we knew that we could be susceptible to a clutch of wickets should a bowler get into the groove. Concentration was the order of the day, as we set about the score. To be fair, Cimla came out and bowled some very good stuff. Davies and Parsons were doing all sorts with the ball, and runs were hard to come by. With hardly any freebies on offer it was vital that even the slightest ball off target had to be punished. A steady start from the openers Roberts and Tay was vital to see the new ball off, and to a certain degree they did the job. Roberts was first to go though for 20, losing the shape of the shot through the point/gully region he was caught quite comfortably off a wide cutting delivery. Then Jordan Coles was given out leg before somewhat dubiously after getting a good stride in. It was vital that a partnership was put on by Shopland and Tay to repair some of the damage and stop the free fall. Battling away Hirwaun knew they had more overs to play with after Cimla had failed to bat their full quota, and every extra over was vital. Tay (16) was next to go, again rather dubiously out lbw off a ball which seemed to do too much off the bowling of Crocker. By this time Hirwaun were still a way off, and when Thomas fell caught at mid-off Hirwaun's big oaf had to pull it out of the bag when it counted. Shopland continued battling, and picking up the bits and pieces on offer whilst Williams was punishing the bad ball to the boundary.

The game came alive soon after with a middle of the wicket confrontation between Crocker and Shopland as the intensity grew. Shopland pulled his next ball for four as the bowler said 'that's the only ball you've timed today'. Two balls later Williams smashed him out of the ground to make it 'two balls timed in a day'!! With the bowlers tiring and a Cimla team running out of ideas the run rate increased as Hirwaun eased closer to their target. Williams gave the run chase the required impetus hitting an immaculate 40no and batting superbly making up for the crap he had bowled earlier. Shopland scored 58no off everywhere but the middle of the bat, in what was a dogged innings to seal victory and 24 well deserved points. An excellent all round performance as the team are beginning to realise what it takes to win these division three games. We'll be having more of these games to come, and it's vital that concentration is kept at all times, and that we continue to play for each other in all departments. We can't afford any passengers this year, and everyone has to stand up and be counted in one way or another throughout the campaign. Well done!

CIMLA 140 all out (5 points) lost to HIRWAUN 145-4 (24 points) by 6 wickets

SWCA Division 3 - 14th May 2005

BS Port Talbot v Hirwaun

MORE B.S. FROM THE CENTIPEDES

Hirwaun succumbed to a consecutive defeat in their second away game of the season. After losing the toss, Hirwaun were asked to bat on what seemed a belter of a track and Roberts and Tay set about the task with aplomb. Consistently putting the bad ball away, Hirwaun were well set for a very big score until Ryan Pugh entered the equation. The Port Talbot captain obviously sensed that the opening bowlers were not firing as usual, and his change of tact worked superbly. Pugh dismissed Tay caught behind for 33, and bowled Coles with a pacy full length delivery. And then it was Roberts' turn to fall victim to the outswinger. Playing at a wide one, the edge was found and Mike was back for 57. Manning and Shopland were now at the crease, and the runs dried up through a combination of quick wickets and accurate bowling. With a great spell at one end, it was the left armer Ferrell who began to look threatening. After Manning holed out, Thomas was then bowled as Port Talbot looked to tighten their grip on the game. Shopland continued to battle away but couldn't find many answers against the line and length bowling. Falling for 10, caught at cover, it was the turn of Flynn to fight back blasting a quick fire 35, with Castaldi chipping in with 19. The end result was Hirwaun finishing on 182 all out, with a few late wickets falling chasing boundaries. Pugh ended with an excllent 3-28, whilst young Ferrell took an impressive 5-43.

Hirwaun knew they would have to battle hard, but at the start of play 180 was touted as a possible minimum winning score. Roberts' leg spin and Reuben Morgan's medium pacers opened the attack, and runs were hard to come by. Morgan had a favourable leg before decision, and he also ran out the number three to get the ball rolling again. Although Roberts bowled superbly throughout, there wasn't much wicket taking threat as his 15-7-18-0 proved. Morgan's analysis was 11-1-54-1 as the batsmen began to pick out the bad ball, and even though a run out from Castaldi gave Hirwaun some hope, the runs starting coming from all angles. John Coles (1-41) kept the pressure up as the game began to get tense and a close finish was on the cards. It was essential that the fielders stayed tuned and focused and kept the pressure on Donovan who was finding something like top form. But as the overs ticked away and the game was to be won or lost, the fielding became laughable at times much to the dismay of one or two team members. Urgency was lacking, and a general sense of a couldn't be bothered attitude turned the game into BS Port Talbot's favour. Flynn ended with 1-43, and put some good effort in, but Donovan (71 no) saw the game home in the last over. Some players couldn't believe what they had witnessed in the last half an hour's cricket, with fielding becoming a chore instead of an inherent part of the game. It underlined what needs to be done this season to win matches, in that everybody must want it as bad as the person next to them, otherwise we will continue to lose such close matches. Port Talbot by 5 wickets then.

BS PORT TALBOT 183-5 (25 PTS) BEAT HIRWAUN 182ao (6 PTS)

SWCA Division 3 - 7 May 2005    

Hirwaun v Baglan

BLACK SATURDAY

SWCA Division 3 - 30th April 2005

Maesteg v Hirwaun

INSPIRED MORGAN, FIRES WAUN TO FIRST WIN

Hirwaun claimed 24 points from the opening game of the season at Maesteg, with a tremendous team display. Shopland's plan of losing the toss on purpose knowing that we'd be inserted anyway worked to perfection in one of the tactical coups of the century. Either that it was another crap coin call. Setting about on the early season green track, openers Roberts and Tay went about their task with proficiency and rarely looked troubled from the medium paced attack. Roberts was first to go (18) holing out at square leg, although in hindsight the ball should have been given the kitchen sink. Meanwhile Tay was progressing quite nicely and started playing some fluent shots.

Jordon Coles hung around for a while, but the wicket didn't really suit the young players as he, Manning and Shopland found it hard to dictate proceedings against some accurate spin bowling. With Hirwaun wobbling a bit for the first time, ex-Skipper Nicky Thomas contributed a significant knock at the right time in what bodes well for the rest of the season. Tay (53) who's a master on such tracks, creamed a shot to deep mid-off to give Maesteg some hope, but Thomas was now in the groove as he twice got a hold of the young off break spinner who was problematic througout, despatching him for two big sixes. Richard Williams hit one the biggest top edged sixes seen for some years as shouts to 'catch it' soon petered out as the ball sailed 28 rows back, or to be more precise 10 yards passed the little wooden hut which looked picturesque throughout.

Young Flynn gave some support, but it was left to Thomas (43no) and Castaldi to see Hirwaun through to 149/7. The experienced players though, knew this would be a good score, and so it proved as Hirwaun set about their task of winning their first game.  For Maesteg it was Washbourne taking 2-36 and O'Connor (3-43) who did the most damage. Hirwaun knew regular wickets was the order of the day, and with Roberts and Williams bowling decently scoring was quite tough. Walters was caught by Morgan off the bowling of Williams for 4 which started the ball rolling, and then Roberts castled R.Parry to strike another blow. And then when Castaldi took a lobby to give Williams his second wicket of the match Hirwaun looked well on course for an upset. However whilst Lovett was at the crease together with new batsman C.Parry, Maesteg still had a chance. And so it proved as Parry set about the attack with some style. Chancing his arm a bit, he nevertheless looked assured and a bowling change was necessary with Roberts looking less threatening. Enter Reuben Morgan who's first few overs proved expensive. Parry fancied the bowling at both ends by now, but a crucial boundary catch from Shopland to dismiss him for 42 off young Flynn's bowling was just the boost that Hirwaun needed. With the dangerman gone, Reubens finally found some accuracy as he started to gain confidence from the seam and swing movement which he started to control. Morgan claimed the wickets of O'Connor and opener Lovett for 16.

Then with a run out and a stumping the game was there for the taking. In amongst this Tay managed to drop a sitter to the disgust of virtually everybody playing, watching, and walking past the ground! With two wickets to get, Morgan clean bowled Cox, and when the young number eleven scooped one to Tay, everyone's breath was held. So to was the ball this time, as Hirwaun claimed a dramatic win ensuring that Morgan finished with an excellent 5-38 off 12.4 overs. Combined with Fridgey's earlier 2-27, Mike's 12-4-28-1, and Flynney's accurate 9-1-24-1, the bowling attack held together superbly. An excellent team performance ensures that we can go into the season in the knowledge that these sides aren't just beatable, but that with our first choice eleven available most weeks, we can more than hold our own and play some good cricket in this new division. Well done!

HIRWAUN 149-7 (24 points) beat MAESTEG 123 all out (6 points) by 26 runs.

SEASON 2004

SWCA Division 4 - 28th August 2004

Hirwaun v Landore

DIVISION 3!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

There were jubilant scenes at the Welfare on Saturday as a record crowd of 29 witnessed a defining moment in the club's history. As news filtered through that Margam had lost, there wasn't a dry eye in the house as Hirwaun rolled over a sorry Landore side and into Division 3. It was a tale of the previous weeks really, more rain leaving a soft pitch. Graft was the order of the day which Roberts (2) didn't fancy, leaving Matthew Flynn to grind it out with Gareth Tay. The run rate was steady, 47 the score at the 25 over mark but Tay, a master on these pitches knew just when to increase the tempo. When Flynn (34) finally went, the score had moved on to 100 with 14 overs to go. The conditions didn't suit Shopland (7) so Richard Williams joined Tay to provide the impetus needed for maximum batting points. 

HIRWAUN 206-4 (26 pts) BEAT LANDORE 70 (3 pts) BY 136 RUNS.

SWCA Division 4 - 21st August 2004

Aberdare v Hirwaun

THE 'FLYING FLYNN' SWOOPS TO GUN DOWN THE ENEMY

SWCA Division 4 - 14th August 2004

Hirwaun v Carmarthen Wanderers

SWCA Division 4 - 7th August 2004

South Llanelli v Hirwaun

PROMOTION PARTY ON HOLD, AS RED BALLOONS ARE POPPED BY SOUTH

SWCA Division 4 - 31st July 2004

Hirwaun v Llandysul

HIRWAUN CLOSE THE GAP IN BORE DRAW

SWCA Division 4 - 24th July 2004

Margam v Hirwaun

FRIDGE KEEPS COOL TO PRESERVE PROMOTION HOPES

SWCA Division 4 - 17th July 2004

Hirwaun v Drefach

HIRWAUN SEYMOUR RUNS, AS TAY HITS MAIDEN TON

With prolific opener Mike Roberts sunning the places the Welsh weather cannot reach, and Stephen Mannings 'big break gig' at the Mount Pleasant pub, the pressure to produce was even greater.  And when skipper Thomas lost the toss on what was a typical slow, damp Welfare track, Manning's rendition of 'The Winner takes it All' seemed ominous. 

The two Garerth's, Tay and Howells, set about their task with determination early on, on what looked like a low scoring game.  The bad ball was put away but driving proved hazardous against Drefach's slow paced, on the spot attack.  Evans and Morgan bowled a straight line as Hirwaun crept to 22 off 9 overs.  Howells was first to go on the unlucky number 13, caught behind off Morgan, who's perserverence looked to have paid off.  And when Havard was triggered lbw for nought, things were looking a little bleak.  Havard had put in hours of talking to the umpire after the game the last few weeks, but not even this entente cordiale could get him off the hook! 

Tay by this time had found a groove and was playing the conditions well, as Shopland found his feet.  Both players found timing difficult even after playing themselves in, and at the 25 over mark, Hirwaun were chugging along at 64-2.  But things soon became easier as Tay pounced on anything legside against the leg-spin of Seymour, and Shopland looked to drive and cut his shorter stuff.  With the 30 over mark reached, both batsmen started to play fluently and the full array of strokes came out of the bag.  Tay continued to pull anything short of a length, whilst Shopland bludgeoned anything outside off-stump through the cover area. 

The early Drefach strangle hold was now broken as the field spread far and wide, and runs were available everywhere.  Shopland eventually holed out for 78 off the bowling of Seymour, as Hirwaun progressed towards maximum batting points.  The only other question was whether Gareth Tay would net his first Hirwaun century, after being dismissed two years prior for 99 against Llandysul?  With backup from Williams, Thomas and Hawkes, Tay reached the landmark before Seymour dismissed him for exactly 100.  215 on this track looked plenty, but we knew that our chances had to be taken if we were to win this game, because both Tay and Shopland benefitted from dropped catches by the Drefach boys.  Of the attack, it was only Morgan (15-4-38-2) and R Seymour (14-1-59-3) who made any inroads.  

Williams and Hawkes opened up, and immediately got the ball to swing.  Williams' inswingers, combined with Hawkes' wobbly outswingers proved a difficult proposition for the openers, who struggled early on.  Chancing their arm when the pressure mounted, both bowlers were unlucky not to take more wickets in the early stages.  Drefach didn't seem to panic though, and although the scoreboard was hardly racing along, they kept wickets in the bag.  M Jones was first to go off the bowling of Hawkes, caught Ruben Morgan for 10, which brought the dangerman Seymour to the crease. 

Both he and opener Carter played very nicely, but it was a good catching day for Ruben's bagging both of them, one off Hawkes and one off Flynn.  With Carter gone for 37 and Seymour for 24, Hirwaun sniffed victory.  Williams bowled Humphreys for 13, and had A Evans caught by Tay for 14.  And when Williams bowled Morgan (0) and Rubens had a caught and bowled off G Evans (3), along with the wicket of J Evans, Hirwaun needed two wickets for maximum points.  Disappointingly, it was not to be though.  Hirwaun were left to rue a clutch of dropped catches and some bad luck, as Drefach battled to a draw.  Again the fielding standard was quite poor, and again a lot of overs were wasted by short bowling which provided a comfort zone for the batsmen. 

On a green track, against the bottom side, it was disappointing that we couldn't bowl them out, especially having seen how their lads bowled short and were punished, and pitched it up and got more reward.  Williams was again excellent in his spell (15-6-22-3) backed up by his partner in crime Hawksey (15-5-41-2).  Morgan bowled tidily in spells to finish with 2-17 off 9 overs, whilst Flynney claimed the other wicket to fall, Bondy bowled 3 overs and Castaldi had an over at the death.  

19 points was okay, but we have all the batting and bowling tools to be winning these games outright.  It's a lesson that seems to be hard to learn, but we need to get the batsmen driving on these green tracks and applying pressure so that they have to chance their arm a bit.  They finished on 129/8, which in the context of the game, really flattered them.  

HIRWAUN 215/5 (19 POINTS), drew with DREFACH 129/8 (5 POINTS)

SWCA Division 4 - 10th July 2004

Porthcawl v Hirwaun

PEPSI MAX PREFERRED AT THE SEASIDE

With the night club shirts and the bucket and spade safely packed in the bag, Hirwaun were intent on claiming big points.  And the maximum 26 was ours after a day of fluctuating fortunes.  Just before the game Mike Roberts had visited the fortune teller at the fairground for some inspiration, and was told he had 'lucky energy' flowing through him.  But not even he would have bet on the generosity given to him by the home team.  Tay, back in the side after a farming accident, was first down after edging one to the keeper.  And then Steve Havard departed the scene for 11 after looking good on the pitch that was darting about.  Meanwhile Mike Roberts was progressing well, as Porthcawl were incapable of taking the chances he offered them.  His now legendary pull shot again got him into trouble as he spooned one to mid-wicket where he was dropped, to the disbelief of the entire crowd. 

Shopland and Roberts were going well, until Shopland (16) was dubiously triggered by the local village idiot standing in due to the umpires not turning up.  Stephen Manning (28) kept up the momentum, and then Williams weighed in with a quick-fire 25 to leave Hirwaun within touching distance of 200.  A last ditch quick single by Morgan and Bond ensured Hirwaun got to 200.  Roberts' 83 was the significent score in the innings, and although we would have liked 220, the other contributions are exactly what is needed if we are to challenge for promotion.  For Porthcawl, Dixon (11-3-43-3) bowled well, together with Parsons (2-36) and Doherty (2-22).

Gareth Hawkes was back in the first eleven after injury, and soon got into his rhythm with superb control of line and length.  With Hawkes' control and Williams' seering pace, Porthcawl found things difficult.  Tuck was lbw to Williams for 3, whilst Hawksey dismissed the other opener Hughes (20), Doherty (20), Smith (1), Jones (30) and the dangerous Dixon (16).  With them wobbling on 110/8, the game should have been over in a matter of minutes.  But their lower order batsmen had different ideas, and soon the pressure was back onto us as they reached 153.  Thankfully Williams found a way through Parsons' gate.  And with Bondy tidying things up at the end, Hirwaun won by 44 runs.  In future we have to concentrate right through the innings and not take things for granted, as we let things slide right at the end after doing the hard work.  Williams finished with 2-42 from his 15, accompanied by Flynney (1-18) and Morgan (1-16).  But the pick of the bowlers was Hawskey with an excellent 15-3-57-5, who balanced control and subtle variation.  A good victory puts us in good stead for the next few weeks.

SWCA Division 4 - 3rd July 2004

Hirwaun v Hills Plymouth

GLOVES ARE OFF IN TASTIEST ENCOUNTER YET

Hills Plymouth won the toss and elected to field, on what was again another poor batting wicket at the Welfare.  It was hard work with the ball not coming onto the bat, and the bowlers accuracy meant the scoring rate was kept in check.  Howells (2) fell first and so next to the crease was Stephen Havard, Hirwaun's overseas player.  The ex-New York Yankees player compiled a patient 17 before being duped by a good bowling variation.  Next to come and go was Steve Manning and then calamity reared its head with the run out of Roberts for 66 involving Shopland.  A 'yes, no, maybe' moment ended with one of he oldest people in the league lobbing it to the keeper to whip the bails off as the forlorn Roberts reflected on two run outs in a week.  Shifty wasn't impressed, and displayed all the emotions of a woman scorned for a good hour or so after the event. 

The pressure was beginning to tell as the bowlers found an excellent length as Shopland was unable to get the attack away eventually falling for 5.  But Thomas and Williams weighed in with 25 each and with Flynneys 14no, Hirwaun ended on 175/9.  Throughout the innings their boys were a bit chirpy, so it was all we could do to recipricate the favour when they batted.

The Hills Plymouth game plan seemed to be to keep wickets in the bag whatever the scoring rate, and have a dash at the last 20 overs.  With not much happening, the skipper turned to Andrew Bond.  After starting steadily, followed by loose stuff which was punished, Bondy was rewarded for full straight bowling getting the top three batsmen out.  Owen (28) fell lbw, Lewis (38) was snaffled by Flynn and Havard pouched a catch to dismiss the number three.  With the game tensing up, the atmosphere regularly became fiery especially when Howells gave as good as got from Snowden.  Then others got involved as personal battles where developing all over the pitch as the intensity level rose.  With Morgan bowling Birch and Chamberlain for ducks and Williams bowling Malpas, the game was there for the winning.  But with Snowden at the crease, they settled for a losing draw, for the second time against us this season.  Williams (15-3-26-3) bowled excellently, and was backed up by Morgan (10-1-24-2), Bond (10-0-48-3) and Flynn (15-6-34-0) who bowled with zest but without much luck again. 

A winning draw and heading in the right direction, next weeks game is a must win game against Porthcawl.

SWCA CUP 3rd Round - 27th June 2004

Ynystawe v Hirwaun

DIVISION ONE CLASS SHINES THROUGH

After the excellent performance against Llangennech nobody would have thought that lightening would have struck twice - and they would have been right.  Despite a respectable initial display, the power and class came through for them in spades.  Batting first, Hirwaun found the going difficult as both Roberts and Howells looked to play themselves in against some good leg and off cut bowling.  Roberts batted well and looked to be gathering momentum before his infamous pull shot landed him in trouble lobbing one up to the mid-wicket fielder for 39.  And soon Andrew Bond was back in the pavilion dismissed caught and bowled by Curran for a single.  Although Shopland was looking comfortable against the spin attack, the bowlers maintained a consistent line and length and getting the boundaries proved to be difficult.  Castaldi was bamboozled from the one end by the 'bloke with the Welsh top', in between confusion over a rain interuption.  With wickets falling regularly and Shopland being run out for 31, the innings petered out a little finally settling at 110. 

But they weren't finished there either, as the Ynystawe lads obviously wanted to get back to the bar to watch the end of the England-West Indies match, smashing the ball to all parts in the process.  Despite taking a couple down with us, they proved much too strong against some erratic bowling and poor fielding, with two catches going down again.  It was a comprehensive win for them in the end, against our under strength side.  The facilities were excellent and they seemed a nice enough bunch of lads.  The dream ended then.

SWCA Division 4 - 19th June 2004

Hirwaun v Aberdare

RIVALS GO DOWN AS TAY MAKES HAY

The derby clash resumed once again, and once again Hirwaun came out on top.  Hirwauns recent record against Aberdare has been excellent, and we kept up the tradition with an excellent batting performance backed by good bowling.  Howells opened up with Roberts, but was first to go for 9 trapped lbw by Timmy Godsall.  More success followed for Aberdare in the 24th over when Andrew Harris notched another Mike Roberts scalp into his bedpost, with the Hirwaun batsmen getting 61.  What was needed was a steady partnership that could give a good platform for the later batsmen, and Tay and Manning did just that.  After playing himself in, Manning began to up the ante and together they piled on the runs in a 112 run partnership.  Fridgey hit Andrew Harris out of the park later on for a bit of entertainment, and although Harris picked him up next ball, the damage was already done.  Tay's 87 and Steve's 54 propelled Hirwaun to 244 and put their team firmly in the driving seat.  Andrew Harris was perhaps the pick of the bowlers for Aberdare picking up 3-65, whilst Tim Griffiths bowled tightly in a good nine over spell.

Hirwaun knew that to win this game they had to pick up wickets at regular intervals, and more or less achieved their goal.  With 9 overs gone, Hirwaun had blasted away the top order with Dai Ireland (2), Joel Garthwaite (7) and Tim Griffiths (1) back in the pavilion.  The highlight of the early exchanges was an excellent run out by Gareth Howells to seal Garthwaites fate.  Despite some resistence in the middle order (Geoff Derrick 26, Matthew Smith 22), it was only Jordon Coles who threatened a big score.  When he was dismissed by ex-Aberdare Serviceman Flynn though, Hirwaun sensed victory.  And in the 48th over Hirwaun wrapped up the game.  Fridgey helped himself to 3-50 from 13.2, whilst he was backed up by pressure bowling from Ruben Morgan, good zip from Flynney (3-49), the eagerness of Bondy (8-2-28-1) and guile from Mike Roberts (7-1-12-2) 

An efficient and accomplished performance which lifted the club a few places in the table.  We need to string together results now however if we want to compete for top places toward the end of the season.  It's a tight league this year, and nothing should be taken for granted!

SWCA Division 4 - 12th June 2004

Carmarthen Wanderers v Hirwaun

HIRWAUN SHORT OF THE MARK IN RUN FEAST

Hirwaun will probably look back at missed chances when the dust settles, as Carmarthen romped to an emphatic 92 run victory.  The Wanderers batted first and rode their luck when Thomas was dropped early on.  Combining with Luck (36), Edwards (18) and eventually Evans (95), he made the bowlers pay by reaching an excellent 125 not out.  Although Williams showed some control and aggression, there was little penetration from the rest of the attack who were continually peppered to the boundary.  Williams returned with 14-4-59-1, and was the pick of the bowlers.  Meanwhile Carmarthen had raced to 300/3 and declared their innings in the 48th over. 

In response, Hirwaun set about the target determined to make a dent into the huge score.  Roberts (45), Tay (37), and Williams (42) were the main contributors with a few cameos from the lower order.  But it was to no avail, as Hirwaun were bowled out for 208 with Rogers (3-46), Edwards (3-60) and Thomas (3-31) sharing the workload.  Hirwaun really do have to pick up their game if they are going to compete this year, and must get a run going soon to avoid the relegation dogfight.

SWCA Division 4 - 5th June 2004

Hirwaun v South Llanelli