2008 Review
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2008 Review Index
1st XI Report
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Being appointed Captain of the Club for
the 2008 season was a great honour but I was aware that leading the 1st XI
was going to be a difficult task. Your first year as captain is never easy
and the year was made more difficult with the departures of two key
experienced players, Matthew Smart to Cardiff and Huw Beaverstock to St
Fagans. However, I had every faith in the young side that had showed signs
of progression and maturity the previous season.
My goals for the season I thought were
simple… Firstly, to get Cowbridge back to the First Division and secondly,
but more importantly, ensuring that Cowbridge maintained its tradition of
producing and developing good young cricketers. We didn’t achieve my first
goal but it was very pleasing to see such a young side perform so
admirably in what proved to be a difficult year.
There was a lot of excitement at the
start of the season and we were confident we would do well and had every
chance of gaining promotion in what appeared to be a strong league. With
the departures of Matthew and Huw from the top of the order it created
opportunities for the younger members of the Club, Jack Harris, Mike
Lloyd, Adam Wood and Elliot Swallow to show what they were capable of. In
addition, the arrival of all-rounder Ryan Taylor from Barnsley, a
Glamorgan University graduate and integral part of the Welsh Universities
Cricket team, would provide strength to the middle order. It was also
pleasing to have kept the services of UWIC student James Marsh who looked
so comfortable at the crease in 2007.
With the blend of exuberant youth and
experience, it was vital we got off to a good start and that we did.
However, despite winning our first two games, it was not all plain
sailing. Excellent bowling performances from Ryan Taylor, Nick Davies and
Tom Dilnot-Smith saw Clydach and Morriston dismissed for 85 and 82
respectively but had it not been for James Marsh with consecutive 50’s we
probably wouldn’t have even reached double figures. None the less, we had
won our first two matches.
Two drawn games followed, firstly away
against Pontardawe and then at home to Mumbles. The latter result did
prove to be a good one as both Tom and Ryan were unavailable and Cowbridge
had to take to the field with an under strength bowling attack. Against
Mumbles, a dubious umpiring decision coupled with some poor batting from
the middle and lower order threw away any chance of a remarkable victory.
Having said that, it was good to see Jack Harris show determination,
batting at three, with a well played 30.
No doubt our most disappointing
performance of the season was the nine wicket defeat the following week to
newly promoted Carmarthen Wanderers. However, despite this poor result,
the team bounced back well as this was followed by an 8 wicket win at home
against Skewen. Two more draws against two of the league’s stronger sides
followed and an excellent, nail biting 2 run win over BS Port Talbot saw
us in the top 4 at the half way stage of the season. If results and the
weather went our way, there was no reason why we couldn’t challenge for
honours in the second half of the season.
Unfortunately, we didn’t have the best
start. The game against Clydach was abandoned and this was followed by
four straight defeats. It did get better however as we did not lose the
next two games – they were both abandoned! The tables had turned with just
two games remaining and relegation was now a distinct possibility if
results were to go against us. Fortunately, they didn’t. We finished the
season with a draw against Dafen and another loss to BS Port Talbot.
So, the season did not go quite as
planned. At times we played some outstanding cricket but lapses in
concentration at key times let us down. However, we can learn from these
mistakes and use these experiences to our advantage - the ability is
certainly there.
It was great to see the younger members;
Jack Harris, Elliot Swallow, Mike Lloyd, Nick Davies and Adam Wood play an
important part in the side. Jack, opening the batting, looked comfortable
in his first full season in the 1st XI. His 55 against Pontardawe was his
best performance. Elliot, who in previous years was Stuart Morton’s
understudy, relished the opportunity as the 1st XI wicket keeper. Two or
three stumpings (standing up) down the leg side showed he had the ability
to keep wicket at a high level and he also contributed well with the bat
in the middle order on a number of occasions.
Nick Davies again bowled well but didn’t
get the luck he deserved and will be looking forward to next season after
breaking his hand early in the second half of the season. Adam Wood, who
impressed for the 2nd XI, took his chance well when called upon scoring an
excellent 59 against Mumbles who went on to win the league convincingly.
Mike Lloyd may feel a little disappointed but I know 2009 will be a big
year for him. If he keeps working hard and shows the desire and will to do
well then there is no reason why he can’t be a big success next summer. He
certainly has the ability.
These youngsters are the future of
Cowbridge Cricket Club and I look forward to hearing of their continued
success in 2009.
Finally, I want to thank everyone
associated with the Club for all their support and effort in what was a
truly enjoyable season.
Andy Daniels
1st XI Captain
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