Llancarfan vs Wick CC T20

Wednesday 29th May 2024

We here at Wick CC like to see ourselves as a multi-faceted juggernaut within the village cricket world, being able to adapt to all styles of the game whether it be 40 over, a 5 day test (🤥) or even the short form of T20. But it is no secret our form in the world of T20 leaves a little to be desired. Having played 2 already this season, and losing by a run on both accounts, when in reality the games could’ve and should’ve been won. The self-destructive tendencies are strong within the team. But I suppose they do make it more interesting. But all of that was about to change. 

The day came for our match up with Llancarfan and it wouldn’t be a Wick match day without the weekly message from Skipper Russ, requiring more players to help us field the full XI. Now there are few certainties in life, one of them SHOULD be our very own frosted tipped, Mohican donning bamboozler, Kenny Ringding, playing for his beloved Wick. This wasn’t the case, as it was reported back that he had decided to play for Llancarfan today ?!?!? Well that went down like a fart in church. There was uproar in the camp. After the dust had settled and the pitchforks had been put down, we had then heard that Llancarfan had found themselves with an impressive 12 players, so we could have Judas back, sorry I mean Kenny. So with Kenny back in the fold and the help of the future of England and the Vale cricket within Sam and Jake, we found ourselves with a strong XI to face Llancarfan in Llantwit. A special mention must go to Colin and Neal who made their season debuts, and both put out excellent performances. Welcome back gents.

In the absence of our South African contingent in Skipper Russ and Josh who were roughing it on the plains of Cornwall, it was down to Co-captains in Dicky and Andy to lose the toss and guide us to victory. 

Wick CC - 110 for 2 (20.0): Chris Day 27*, Colin Dixon 26*, Leo Kelly 25*

Llancarfan CC - 78 for 8 (20.0): M. Pugh 25*, Sam Boughton 2-9, Jake Morgan 1-8, Kenny Thomas 1-6

Wick batted first. 

Usual opener Steve partnered up with newly found star batsmen Chris. The pair got Wick off to a flying start, playing some lovely shots and finding boundaries in what was a giant boundary by wick standards. Chris knocked a lovely four to sail past the 25 run retirement threshold and swaggered off the pitch on an impressive 27 not out for the second consecutive week. Steve shortly fell to some strong bowling on a respectable 17. Dicky, was in at three and faced some more strong bowling but was unable to pick the ball as well as he normally does and his wicket fell with him on 8. In at 4 and 5 were Colin and Leo. Colin coming back off an injury was hoping to follow on from his strong form last year in his first game back, and got off to a flying start. Both him and Leo batted extremely well taking wick up to the final over. Both retired at the 25 mark. Leaving Iestyn to come in at 6 with 4 balls to go and faced 0. And Andy for the second week in a row got padded up and made the long walk out to the wicket to face the final ball. A nice 2 not out from him. Brought the wick innings to an end. 

Wick finished on 110-2 (With 3 retirements) 

After a short break it was Llancarfans turn at the crease. Vale youngster, Jake and wick legend Kenny Ringding opened the bowling. Both set us up in a strong position from the off. Kenny with a wicket maiden off his first over. Jake followed suit with a wicket of his own in his second over. Some resilient batting from the Llancarfan men meant we had to switch up and play our ace in the hole. If you hear of a young spinner named Sam ripping the turf up at Lords in years to come, just remember it was Wick CC that gave him his big break in SENIOR cricket. In Sam’s second over of toying with the batsman, he tossed up a beautiful leg spinner which was found well by the batsmen, and it sailed straight into the hands of Neal at mid-wicket. I think Neal was the last one to notice that it had happened. The next ball was another absolute corker too, Sam switched it up with an off spinner for the new batsmen, a fellow youngster who swung well but caught a strong edge and our own cat behind the sticks Dicky claimed the ball with a giant shout which could be heard for miles. We very rarely get the chance of witnessing a hat-trick here at wick but there was one in the cards here. Every one in, everyone ready, everyone watching, just for Sam to crumble at the crucial moment and bowl it wide…. We’ll let him off. Following Sam, Colin had a bowl, and to cut a long story short, it wasn’t his finest over and gracefully declined his second over, but in fairness he had a bad knee and had run a lot in his batting stint. 

Some brilliant bowling from Steve, Andy and Neal at the death brought wick within reaching distance of the victory. Steve was his usual dependable self. Neal showed us his bowling practice in the offseason has been paying off, so much so was given a third over after his excellent wicket that was caught deep by Leo out on the boundary. Andy then finished us up with an excellent maiden of his own. 

Llancarfan finished their innings on 78 – 8 in a spirited performance. A great game played well within the spirit of the game and we look forward to being able to host them in the future.  

Wick were victorious by 6 wickets.

After the game we were welcomed to the Fox and Hounds in Llancarfan, where we were treated to an excellent spread, and washed it down with some sweet, sweet nectar. Our very own sandwich connoisseur ‘Kelly’s Deli’ ranked it as the best spread he’s seen in a while. So we’d like to extend our gratitude to the Fox and Hounds in Llancarfan for their fantastic hospitality and of course our opponents Llancarfan CC for the great game and for being gracious hosts. 

Wick are next back in action on Sunday 9th June, on the village green, where host Cardiff Casuals. Come along and watch! It would be great to see the community come out and enjoy the weather and the spectacle that is village cricket. 

Also if you or your company would like to get involved as a match day sponsor please feel free to get in contact too.

-Iestyn Jones