2007 Review
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2nd XI Report
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With the majority of the same side as
the previous season the 2nd XI were looking to build on a good
season the year before and again focus on developing the young side into
potential 1st XI players and bring more youngsters through from
the West Wales XI.
The season’s opening game was strange
against a poor Pontyberem side who opted to bat first and block for 50
overs. The runs were easily knocked off in quick time mainly by Elliot
Swallow and Jack Harris who had been promoted up the order from the
previous season and showed his potential with a brisk 36. Dafen away was
always difficult and with a very young side (average age of around 18) the
previous seasons experience was going to be required. Dafen got off to a
flying start and reached 116 for 3 off 17 overs but they hadn’t counted on
Nick Davies who bowled superbly ending with 3 for 18 off 10 and turned the
game and was duly promoted into the 1st XI for the rest of the
season. Dafen still managed 189 all out in 35 overs. Cowbridge started
steadily but lost regular wickets and were 67 for 4 when in came Andrew
Finucane who proceeded to smash the ball all around the ground for a very
quick 87 not out to finish the game inside 33 overs.
The next game Skewen at home was in the
balance before Lloyd Bishop took 3 quick wickets and Haydn White 2 in 2
balls to win the game by 9 runs. A draw away to Llanelli was a good result
with contributions with the bat from Elliot Swallow (31) and Jack Harris
(61). The next match Gorseinon at home was the most convincing win of the
season. Batting first again Elliot Swallow (53) and Jack Harris (79) were
the mainstay of the innings with a quick cameo of 40 from Andrew Finucane
to finish with a total of 245. Elliot Street then struck with the first
ball of the innings and things didn’t improve for Gorseinon who were all
out for 33.
Pontardawe away was all about Jamie
Pursey who took 4 catches (including the catch of the season) and 3
wickets restricting Pontardawe on a very hot day to 97 all out with help
from Street and Bishop who were developing into the League’s best opening
bowling partnership. The highlights of the very close winning draw against
Morriston was a maiden century from Richard Finucane well supported by
newly promoted Adam Wood and tight bowling from Elliot Street and Lloyd
Bishop.
The second half of the season was to be
badly affected by the weather, with only 3 matches played to a finish out
of 9. Another win against Dafen with Jamie Pursey and Haydn White both
taking 5 wickets and Andrew Finucane scoring 46 not out (think he likes
playing against Dafen). Half a game against Llanelli was brightened by an
unbeaten 85 from Rob Carney. The last game of the season against newly
crowned champions Llangennech was a game the Seconds wanted to prove
themselves in. A positive start from Elliot Swallow and Adam Wood was
followed by a superb 81 not out by Jack Harris and a useful 47 from Ryan
Davies. Llangennech were bowled out 71 runs short, mainly by Elliot
Street with 6 wickets and the season finished on a high.
There was real progress this season from
all the younger players who are maturing well into cricketers capable of
holding their own against much more experienced opponents. Jack Harris was
outstanding with the bat averaging 45, the improvement as the season went
on was clear to see. Also nice to see was Andrew Finucane enjoying his
cricket again averaging 40. On the bowling side the opening bowlers
dominated most sides with Lloyd Bishop taking 28 wickets and Elliot Street
21, well backed up by Jamie Pursey. It was good to see Nick Davies and
Mike Lloyd do well in the 1st XI and Adam Wood along with
latterly James Thomas coming into the side from the West Wales XI. Next
season has a lot of potential.
Richard Finucane
2nd XI
Captain
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