Saturday
Brymbo 2s – 216/4 (40 overs)
MIMCC – 217/5 (29 overs)
MIMCC win by 5 wickets
Scorecard here: https://mynyddisamaeshafn.play-cricket.com/website/results/6817547
The Argoed pitch has had its detractors over the years. Many a batsman has suffered the indignity of being bowled by one that didn’t get above ankle height, or been surprised by a unanticipated trampoline buried somewhere around a good length. The mind goes back to the game against Buckley a few years back when, having been rolled over for 53, the opposition sought to photograph every square inch of the surface, presumably with the intention of filing a grievance with the Ministry of Dubious Cricket Pitches.
What a difference a bit of dry weather makes. After a week baking under the North Wales sunshine, the Argoed deck on which we had beaten Halkyn last week had been transformed from something that looked like somebody had flattened the Incredible Hulk and stretched him out across 22 yards, to something which resembled an actual cricket pitch. Testament to this transformation was the ~450 runs scored across 70 overs, with MIMCC coming out 13-2 winners in a high scoring encounter.
The skipper won the toss (!) and elected to bowl. Initially this looked a wise decision as Jonty took a wicket in his first over, somehow bowling their opener round his legs. In the next over, Naseer had the other opener nick off only for wicketkeeper Applewhite to grass a fairly regulation chance. Sadly this was not the end of the reigning Div 4 wicketkeeper of the year’s woes, but more of that later.
Having been given a life, the Brymbo skipper was starting to cash in, supported by their number 3. With lots of bowling options at his disposal, the skipper was able to rotate the attack, but the breakthrough proved elusive and at drinks they had passed 100 for the loss of only the 1 wicket.
After drinks, their Skipper was given another life on a caught behind chance, and it was starting to look like a repeat of Llandudno last year when we dropped the guy who got a ton about 17 different times. Darren Gough was also in touch by email enquiring whether he had presented the league wicketkeeping award to the wrong person.
The breakthrough eventually came courtesy of Jon who managed to get one through their Skipper’s defences to send him on his way for 84. Their number 3 followed shortly thereafter with Abs taking a sharp catch-or-die chance off Aryaman.
The bowlers toiled away until the end of the 40 overs, doubtless cursing the Skipper for having elected to field on what was looking like a road, with Jon picking up a second wicket in the process to finish with figures of 2-22. Brymbo finished on 214/4 which looked a good score. Anything over 150 generally gets you in the game at the Argoed, but in its new incarnation as a batter’s paradise, maybe par needs raising to 200.
After tea, Abs and Aryaman went out to open in innings in customary unhurried manner. Unhurried, in this instance, refers not to the manner of the batting, but more to the actual process of getting from the dressing room to middle. Once in place however, they started to accumulate runs quickly from the off, against an inexperienced Brymbo bowling attack who were struggling to offer too much threat.
The openers put on 43 before Abs was out caught in the offside. Thes brought Deepak, fresh off a score of 63 last week to the crease, and he picked up where he left off. Both batters were soon scoring freely, and by drinks we were well on our way to the target at around 150 for 1.
Deepak notched his second 50 in as many games and then was promptly out caught for 53. At the other end, Aryaman had long since left 50 in the rear-view mirror and was approaching three figures. But before we get to that we must put the final nail in the coffin of VC Applewhite’s day. Having sat with his pads on for 20 overs, he was promptly bowled for a second ball duck. Legendary Maeshafn bowler Jim Scarratt who was in attendance as a spectator was heard to remark as Apples strode out to the middle “wouldn’t it be funny if Stu got a duck here”. Lo it came to pass, and Jim had to be helped to his feet having fallen over laughing.
At the other end, Aryaman was now on 99. It was not clear to those watching whether he knew this as he attempted a huge sweep shot which went straight up in the air, only for the fielder to spill a regulation chance at fine leg. To a mixture of cheers and laughter, Aryaman went to his 100 and joined Messrs Applewhite and Hall in the Pantheon of Maeshafn Centurions. He would ultimately finish with 105 off 80 balls in what would prove a match winning knock. A couple of late wickets gave Brymbo another point, but Saboor and the Skipper finished things off for a 5 wicket win – the former smashing a few boundaries in his customary fashion, and the latter registering a third consecutive not out to further massage the average.
A superb chase to knock off the 217 for victory with 11 overs to spare.
Pictured: The Pantheon of Maeshafn Centurions (as generated by ChatGPT).
Monday
Llanrwst 2s 110ao (38 overs)
MIMCC 113/1 (15.5 overs)
Scorecard here: https://mynyddisamaeshafn.play-cricket.com/website/results/6817705
Last week’s heatwave was resolutely thing of the past as MIMCC arrived at a windswept Llanrwst. Our last visit here in 2022 had come in 30-degree heat, however this occasion was the polar opposite, with emphasis on the Polar.
The skipper reverted to type and promptly loss the toss. Llanrwst, who had notched a total in excess of 200 on Saturday, elected to have a bat. Openers Naseer and Jonathan didn’t go for many, but weren’t able to extract a breakthrough either, so an early bowling change was called for with Deepak and Prasad coming on first change. Llanrwst’s fortunes were clearly going to be closely tied to those of one of their openers who looked a very good player, so it was rather surprising to see him attempt to smack Prasad over the club house first ball. As those who have faced the wizard in earmuffs in the nets will attest, this is not the smartest of moves, and it was therefore little surprise when he missed the ball completely and was bowled.
After that, wickets started to fall at regular intervals with Deepak picking up 3-14, Prasad 2-15, Umang 3-14, and Naseer returning at the end to finish with figures of 2-12. Abs took 2 catches in close and Fordy (deputising for Apples who taken the day off to sit in a darkened room) picked up one behind the stumps, and an assist in parrying one to Venkat at first slip.
In the end Llanrwst were restricted to 110 all out which looked a very gettable total. And so it proved. Abs and Aryaman set about the Llanrwst bowlers from the get-go putting on 63 for the first wicket before Aryaman was caught. Deepak joined Abs and kept the foot on the accelerator, seeing us home in just 15.5 overs with Abs finishing 47no and Deepak with 34no. Deepak finished the game with a huge 6 into the pavilion which narrowly missed a small child.
An early dart back down the A55 with all 15 points to send us to the top of league. A comprehensive victory to round off an excellent bank holiday weekend for MIMCC.
Pictured: Poster spotted in Monday’s Llanrwst Gazette