Tondu vs Baglan
With the weather claiming both first and second XI fixtures on the Saturday, some hard work by the players in ensuring the wicket stayed dry over the course of the week meant that Tondu were able fulfil their National Village Cup fixture as they welcomed Baglan.
​
The visitors batted first but the top order found it difficult to settle against an opening bowling partnership of Elliot Rees and James Leppard. Rhys Gaskins-Davies will feel he had done the hard graft and weathered the storm, making 20 runs, before he was run out by the fielding skills of Tom Jenkins. Ali fell for 10, edging a delivery from Leppard through to David Rees. A bowling change brought on the spin bowling of David Matthews, who then took the scalp of Lewis. Rodri Gaskins-Davies really carried the innings for Baglan with a fine 56 not out. Meanwhile, John Bussey and Richard Ready took further wickets for the home side, Bussey even taking a catch to assist Reddy.
​
Baglan struggled to 148-5 off their 40 overs with no one able to back their top scorer. Credit has to be given to the Tondu bowling attack with some very economical spells, so important in limited overs cricket. In reply, Tondu went at the task with real intent, with opening partnership Ben Green and Scott Thornton knocking off the target without the loss of a wicket in a mere 25.1 overs. Green ended on 43 not out, acting as the perfect foil for Thornton score an impressive 102 not out. The demoralised Baglan bowling attack could not find a way through and Tondu completed an extremely impressive 10 wicket victory in the prestigious competition.
One to watch:
​
Scott Thornton – Great knock, attacking the Baglan bowling from the off, forcing them into many changes and not allowing any of them to get into their groove. Skippered the side well with his field placement, can genuinely look upon the day as a ‘good day at the office’ all around.
Baglan 148-5 (40 overs)
Rodri Gaskins-Davies 56*
D Matthews 1-17
Tondu 152-0 (25.1 overs)
Scott Thornton 102*
Ben Green 43*