Sunday 22nd June 2025
Now when you hear that a group of Cardiff causals are heading to Wick you may fear that football hooliganism has raised its ugly head again, but fear not it is just some middle-aged gents playing a peaceful game of cricket.
With the sun beating down all week, the Wick team undertook some desert survival skills (running, climbing, hunting and water divining at Merthyr Mawr sand dunes led by the hardest man in village cricket Mr Owen Thomas) in preparation for the Sunday game. Come Sunday and clouds, wind and what can only be described as ‘light drizzle’ that harsh training camp did seem a bit over the top.
Anyway to the game, at one stage during the week there was a threat of having no Dixons in the team, but Gutsy stepped in and saved the day because having no Dixons would be like Kenny not getting a wicket or Russel not outscoring the rest of the team on his own – unheard of!
Cardiff Casuals CC - 182 for 8 (40.0): Jack Beaumont 73, Andy Ellis 2-8, Simon Stratten 1-15
Wick CC - 183 for 6 (38.2): Russ Milne 92*, Steve Collins 39, Ben Wade 22
SCORECARD
Someone won the toss and Wick were bowling first, as planned by the Wick skipper. We knew their top four batsmen score the majority of their runs, with the number 3 getting a century against us last year, so early wickets would be key. Gutsy and Amal handed the new ball with Owz in his wicket keeping gear, already giving the batsmen some verbal from behind the stumps. Great start by both bowers with Amal getting a wicket in his first over, a catch behind by Owz. Danger man to the crease but Gutsy and Amal did a good job of keeping both batsmen relatively quiet.
Russ knew that we needed wickets so who do you think he turned to next? Yes an obvious answer, no other than King Kenny, who bowled a maiden with his first over and then took the prize scalp of the number 3 batter (bowled) in his second. Wick team up in celebration for Ring a Ding.
Kenny continued with Big Ben Wide and Neal from the other end. No further wickets until drinks – they were 88-2 after 20. Simon on next from the playground end with a batsmen-confusing mix of Neal, Sir Russel and Ian from the other. Simon striking and removing the remaining opener (bowled), then Sir Springbok striking as well soon after. It was left to Steve and Andy to finish off and this led to a few further wickets, run out from a direct hit by Amal, a catch by Sir Springbok off Andy, a return catch by Steve off his own bowling and then a great diving catch by Steve, fielding at point, off Andy. We won’t mention the very easy catch that was dropped by Steve just before this but let’s just say the celebration and ball toss into the air released some pent up frustration.
Casuals ended on a total of 182-8 off their 40 overs
Now to the batting. Unbeknown to the team, secret overnight negotiations had been ongoing between King Kenny and Sir Russel about batting positions – Kenny pushing for an opening slot but Russel too scared of Owen to drop him, so offering ‘middle order’ – Kenny accepting saying OK four it is then and Russel saying well maybe seven.
So anyway, Steve fresh from his drop (I mean catch) opened up with hard man Owen. Nice single to Steve off the first ball. Owen facing his first ball, xxxxxxxxxxx (censored) – so Amal in next at 3.
Steve and Amal built nicely with some good shots until Amal was caught. This brought Big Ben Wide in at four and again runs came at a steady rate. Big Ben falling next after a smart return catch (low to the ground) by the bowler. Sir Russ the skipper in next. Drinks coming with no further losses – 77 for 3 after 20.
Steve falling soon after drinks for a good knock of 39. Andy in next as Kenny had forgotten, looking to support Sir Russel. Andy survived for a while before mistiming a full toss and getting caught.
This brought the batting sensation that is King Ring a Ding himself to the crease to partner Sir Russel. A match winning pair if ever we have seen one. After their long overnight negotiations on batting positions it was obvious that they had also discussed their upcoming partnership (as Russel never gets out he was bound to play with Kenny at some stage).
Runs flowed a plenty with boundaries galore and many quick singles. They took us from 98 to 163 before Kenny played one too many reverse sweeps (apparently Indian wicket keeper batsman Pant has been watching Kenny play) and getting caught for 10. Good knock.
Simon joined Sir Russel, who as usual got us home with 10 balls to spare.
Russel 92 not out, Steve 39, Ben 22, Kenny 10, Amal 7, Andy 6, Simon 1 not out and Owen.
Great win and good all round performance
After the game, Big Ben Wide who offers personal coaching sessions (bigBencoaching.com) was coerced into a late night net session with the bowling machine by a certain hard man opening batsman. This intrepid reporter ventured out to watch as Big Ben kindly offered advice “to move your effing feet” and “eat the ball” as he fed balls into the machine set at 125mph. Net session finished at 2.36am with much blood and bruising seen. We wish Ben a speedy recovery.
Next match is a home fixture v Lisvane on Sunday 13th July
– Andy Ellis
