Sunday 3rd August 2025
A rare Sunday away fixture this week for Wick – travelling to Blaengarw to play the return leg from our first fixture of 2025.
Sunday morning awoke to rain fall and a million WhatsApp messages to Steve (fixture secretary) – is the game on? It’s raining? Will we be playing? Where’s my socks? Who shot JFK?
This did at least uncover some hidden talents within the team.
Who knew that Owen (Toughest man in village cricket, expectant father, Iron man, comedian) was also an amateur meteorologist (weather man) – I have never seen so many weather maps – he promised us a dry spell just past 1pm and gave a running commentary of the wetness level of his neighbours roof throughout the morning. Enthralling.
Anyway, after Steve had used all of his minutes on his pay as you go contract communicating with the groundsman in Blaengarw – we were on – delayed start and 30 overs a side.
Rob ‘Dicky’ Dixon returned to the team from his around the world cruise, Ian returned after spending the last few weeks being coached by Steve Smith of Australia. Now every team needs a superhero duo so Owen’s sidekick Matt joined us, coming in for his second Wick game – soon christened Batman and Robin by the rest of the team. No Simon though as he is now filming his latest movie in Hollywood (Return of Batman?). Team limo left Wick at around 1.30, with several members of the team comfortably seated with champagne, caviar and chocolate covered strawberries.
To the game, beautiful ground with stunning views and the promised sunshine arrived as forecast by our own Derek the weather man.
Wick CC - 183 all out (29.0): Gareth Dixon 53, Steve Collins 43
Blaengarw & Coedely CC - 184 for 8 (27.1): Craig Butler 36, Rob Dixon 3-7, Andy Ellis 3-9
SCORECARD
Wick losing the toss and being asked to bat first. Dicky returning to open with Steve. Bish, bash, bosh – we raced to 25 after 9 balls of the innings – a beautiful 6 down the ground by Rob the pick of the shots but plenty by both batsmen – until the champagne kicked in and Rob was out to a good diving low return catch by the bowler. Colin in next. The pitch was helpful to slower bowling and so on came a bowler who floated a few up. Both batsmen played a few good shots and ran well before Colin came down the pitch and missed and was stumped. The weather man caped crusader in next – too much energy used on monitoring the heavens in the morning and he soon departed. Meanwhile Steve is going along nicely – including a lovely 6. Chris in next. A few nice sweep shots by him before he departed as well. This brought Gutsy to the crease, promoted up the order after promising great things. Steve the next to go after a great 43. Skipper in now looking to up the rate but a very rare outing for him and he didn’t get to double figures (first time in living memory). Matt, the other half of the dynamic duo, who according to Owen is a very quick runner, better cyclist and all round good egg, in next. He and Gutsy hit some nice shots, scampered really well and took the score up to 150 before Matt fell. Gutsy, now decided the time was right to set the record straight about who is the best Dixon family batsman and started to cream the ball all over the park, including a nice 6 to match his brother earlier. He flew past his 50 with Amal supporting him from the other end. Gutsy eventually fell for a fine 53. Ian in with 4 overs to go. Amal out next leaving last man Andy to join Ian. They got a few more before Andy was bowled, leaving Wick all out with 1 over to go and 183 runs on the board.
A quick turnaround.
Amal opening the bowling, decent start just 4 from the first over. Russ taking the ball from the other end and bowling their skipper with his first ball. After a few more overs Dicky replaced Russ and Ian came on for Amal – Russ having read the training update from Steve Smith on Ian’s new bowling technique. Ian bowled well but was unlucky no to take any wickets, a couple of catching chances not being taken.
However the battle of the Dixons was now going strong. After Gutsy had taken the batting honours, Dicky now set out to win the bowling – taking a remarkable 3 wickets for 7 runs in 4 overs. The first a stunning full length airborne catch by Chris in the slips, a bowled and then a catch off his own bowling.
After his marvellous catch, Chris felt like having a bowl, good effort but probably needs to go talk with Ian about his technique.
Andy asked to bowl next by Russ, struggling with a bad knee, he trudged in off about 3 yards and managed to burgle a few wickets for the team – with the help of a Gutsy catch (rumours he pushed Rob out of the way to take the catch for more game points are unfounded).
Gutsy and Colin then came on to bowl but Blaengarw were going strong now and runs kept coming. Gutsy did strike and removed a dangerous batsman. Steve on last to finish off.
However it was all in vain as the last wicket pair for Blaengarw managed to sneak the required runs with 2 overs left. Throughout the game Matt was running, diving and throwing himself around doing the work of at least 3 fielders. Good work Batman.
Wick 183 all out (29), Blaengarw 184-9 (27.3)
A great game of cricket in a lovely location played in Great Spirit with a lovely bunch of lads.
BBQ on, beer sipped, lovely evening. Many thanks to Blaengarw team for their hospitality and a great game of cricket. We look forward to another home / away series next year.
The limo ride home was lovely and Andy judged the Dixon battle a draw.
If anyone one is bothered, the stats for the season are looking interesting with just 4 games left.
Batting – well we all know who is the leading run getter (Russ 466) but it is level pegging for second place between Owen and Steve (both on 178)
Bowling – Steve out in front with 16 but tied for second between Simon and Kenny on 10.
Catching – Battle between Owen and Steve with Russ a close third.
The next game is a midweek T20 v F Troop (Wednesday 6th) with games against Bridgend (Sunday 10th), a Wales Over 50’s select 11 (Sunday 17th) Yes you read that right Wick v Wales! and then Barry West End Away on Sept 7th
– Andy Ellis
