6th Aug 2023
Wick CC travelled to Bridgend where Wayne’s faith in Newbridge Fields ability to withstand meteorological events above any other sports field in South Wales was unwavering. He looked up to the onshore winds like Patrick Swayze in Point Break in no doubt he could smell the leather and willow of cricket. Game was on and the surf was probably up. Game started at 1, Gutsy started at 1.05.
Wick CC - 154 for 8 (40.0): Russ Milne 68*, Steve Collins 22 Bridgend - 156 for 8 (35.0): N.Moruzzi 46, Andy Ellis 2-13
Wick batted first at Bridgend kept it tight in the field restricting Wick to 57-2 off 20 overs but critically, skipper and star player, Russ was still at the crease. Whilst others struggled to stay at the crease for long, Russ started upping the run rate and by 30 overs Wick were at 110-5. The drama came in the latter stages of the innings. Firstly, Iestyn top edged a ball into his mouth; initial concern was a forced trip to Turkey for some new teeth… thankfully the pearly whites were intact but his lip was split like a post-fight Rocky – “Adriaaaannnn” sympathetically echoed across the pitch. Secondly, Kenny hit his own wicket, the lads said he accepted this with great grace and dignity…he didn’t want any of what happened next in the “Blog” as he called it, so let’s just say the pram was toy-less until three pints of Inch’s cider were necked in the clubhouse after and we had good old Kenny back!
Wick ended on 154-8 with Russ not out on 68.
Gutsy opened the bowling with Amal and he rebranded the timekeeping twosome to the Wick Wasim and Waqar. It seemed to work with Gutsy (1-11) finding the gap between bat and pad for a breakthrough wicket. Russ (1-10) and Andy (2-13) continued the good work and Bridgend were limited to 66-4 off 20 overs, close game so far.
Despite Steve (1-21) getting the key wicket of Muzzi (46) the Bridgend 6th wicket partnership ramped up the run rate and by the 30 over mark they were at 133-5 and Russ was resigned to the fact the game was beyond Wick and it would be safe to let Dicky have a bowl. Arguably Ben Stokes 1st innings declaration is the most controversial captain decision of the cricketing summer, but Russ not giving Dicky the ball sooner turned out to be a close second. First ball gets an edge, post cruise Colin ain’t back on land properly yet, dropped, no matter as next ball the wickets are shattered and OTT celebrations ensue. Darren (1-11) picks up a wicket and Dicky (2-10) gets one next over as Russ takes his second catch of the game but Bridgend get over the line with two wickets and 5 overs to spare.
Post-match talk was of a bit of fundraising to top up the emptying coffers so watch this space as Steve and Col put together an event.
Thanks to Wayne and the team for the game, always a great place to play cricket.
-Rob Dixon
