Cavaliers Club Archive: 2007

In this document you will be able to find details of:  Officers & Award winners  Player averages  Results & Match reports  AGM reports & minutes If you know the name of a person or a match you particularly want to see please use the “Find” box in the PDF (usually at the top of the page)

Officers & Award winners

Officers (serving for 2007 season):

Honorary President: Graham (Joey) Newbury Chairman: Steve Davis : Mark Simpson Vice Captain: Jimmy Marchant Secretary: Jeremy Sparkes Treasurer: Jonathan Thomas

Awards:

Player of the Year: Jimmy Marchant Clubman: Mark Searle Top batsman: Andrew Steadman Top bowler: Rhidian Dafydd

Notable achievements

Willow League Cup Runners-Up

Record number of members

Andrew Steadman set a new club record by scoring 686 runs in the season

Derek Lewis becomes the third Cavalier to take a hat trick during a spell of four in five balls (see match report of the „Ashes‟ encounter with Chartered Trust at the School on 21 August)

Player averages

Appearances/ Qualification: 5 completed

M Inn NO HS Runs 4/6 50s Ave Andrew Steadman 22 22 3 87 686 66/6 6 36.10 Jimmy Marchant 19 18 5 79 446 60/8 2 34.31 Nick Hutchings 10 9 1 85 244 32/4 1 30.50 Glenn Chapman 12 11 3 45 198 28/5 - 24.75 Warwick Armstrong 11 8 1 54* 173 10/- 1 24.71 Dave Parsons 16 14 1 70 231 20/0 2 17.77 Nigel Adams 15 12 2 40 165 13/1 - 16.50 Jonathan Davies 18 15 2 59 197 14/4 1 15.15 Mark Simpson 23 13 3 24 106 6/1 - 10.60 Jason Duffy 17 12 2 22 102 11/1 - 10.20 Jonathan Thomas 9 9 3 13 55 5/0 9.17 Rhidian Dafydd 15 7 2 28 43 6/- - 8.60 Huw Parsons 11 8 2 16 36 5/0 - 6.00 Vince Strawson 6 5 0 13 26 2/0 - 5.20 Steve Davis 13 12 3 12 46 2/0 - 5.11 Steve Roake 14 10 0 10 47 4/0 - 4.70 Wyn Pritchard 12 8 3 5 9 1/0 - 1.80

Also played/batted M Inn NO HS Runs 4/6 50s Dominic Bland 1 0 - - - - - Julian Boardman 2 1 0 1 1 0/0 - Ross Bowen 12 6 2 8 27 3/0 - Graeme Brown 13 7 3 8 25 2/0 - Martin Buckle 5 3 0 5 8 0/0 - Richard Davies 6 5 3 17 32 3/0 - George Hanna 3 3 0 5 5 0/0 - Derek Lewis 5 2 0 13 12 1/0 - Geoff Lewis 1 1 0 1 1 0/0 - Nigel Moore 5 5 1 23 48 5/0 - Graham Newbury 5 5 3 20 72 8/1 - Glyn Poulsom 4 3 2 20 31 1/0 - Mark Searle 6 3 0 0 0 0/0 - Jeremy Sparkes 8 5 1 10 16 2/0 - Alastair Steadman 2 2 0 2 2 0/0 - Sean Taylor 1 0 - - - - - Matt Thomas 7 6 2 29 59 7/0 -

Bowling/ Qualification: 20 overs Ovs Mdn Runs Wkts 3+ Best Ave Ct/St Rhidian Dafydd 43 3 218 13 2 3/11 16.77 3/- Dave Parsons 45.4 1 293 16 2 3/4 18.31 4/- Glenn Chapman 30 0 160 8 - 2/6 20.00 3/- Nigel Adams 53.5 2 295 13 - 2/17 22.69 1/- Jimmy Marchant 63.2 3 319 14 - 2/2 22.78 7/- Mark Simpson 58 3 379 15 - 2/19 25.27 3/- Andrew Steadman + 35 4 183 7 1 5/27 26.14 5/0 Jason Duffy 59 6 314 11 - 2/9 28.55 6/- Huw Parsons 41 2 193 6 1 3/9 32.17 0/- Jonathan Davies 68.1 3 370 11 - 2/7 33.64 5/- Ross Bowen 40 1 259 7 - 2/16 37.00 1/- Warwick Armstrong + 25.3 3 122 3 - 2/19 40.67 1/0 Graeme Brown 36.3 0 290 7 1 3/25 41.43 1/- Steve Roake 36 2 234 4 - 2/37 58.50 1/-

Also bowled/fielded Ovs Mdn Runs Wkts 3+ Best Ct/St Dominic Bland 1.4 0 19 0 - 0/19 0/- Julian Boardman 5.3 1 46 1 - 1/38 0/- Martin Buckle 2 0 21 0 - 0/21 1/- Richard Davies 4 0 22 1 - 1/11 2/- Steve Davis + 0.2 0 5 0 - 0/5 1/2 George Hanna 1 0 7 0 - 0/7 0/- Nick Hutchings + 1 0 10 0 - 0/10 1/2 Derek Lewis 14 0 59 7 1 4/2 0/- Geoff Lewis + ------0/0 Nigel Moore 10 0 68 0 - 0/10 1/- Graham Newbury 17 1 88 0 - 0/8 1/- Glyn Poulsom 6 0 51 2 - 2/17 3/- Wyn Pritchard 6 0 51 0 - 0/11 0/- Mark Searle + ------2/1 Jeremy Sparkes 0.2 0 4 0 - 0/4 0/- Alastair Steadman ------0/- Vince Strawson 8 2 32 3 - 2/3 0/- Sean Taylor + 1 0 11 0 - 0/11 0/0 Jonathan Thomas + 10 0 61 2 - 1/15 2/2 Matt Thomas 11 0 99 3 1 3/50 1/- + indicates kept in at least one game Results & Match reports

Fixtures 47 Played 30 Won 10 Lost 18 Drawn 1 Abandoned 1 Cancelled 17

Match reports are in chronological order with the most recent game first or click on a game in the summary below and it will take you direct to that report

Barry Wanderers. Lost by 72 runs Barry W 159/3 (Brown 1/15, J Thomas 1/19). Cav 87ao (29.3 ovs Duffy 22, Marchant 18) Barry Athletic. Lost by 8 wickets Cav 219/4 (Marchant 71, Armstrong 54no, Steadman jnr 36). Barry Ath 221/2 (29.3ovs) South Sri Lankans. Lost by 43 runs SWSL 214/5 (Armstrong2/19). Cav 171ao (37ovs, Marchant 79no) Highways Hurricanes. Won by 23 runs Cav 116/5 (Poulsom 2/2, Chapman 43, Steadman jnr 31). HH 93/6 (D Parsons 3/4, D Lewis 1/5) Barry Athletic. Lost by 52 runs Barry Ath 194/8 (Brown 3/25, Simspon 2/19). Cav 142ao (32ovs, Steadman jnr 54, Duffy 22) Highways Hurricanes. Won by 9 wickets HH 68 (15.3ovs, Armstrong 1/0, Chapman 2/6, Dafydd 2/9). Cav 71/1 (13.2 ovs, Chapman 25no, Marchant 23no) Chartered Trust. Lost by 39 runs CT 143/8 (D Lewis 4/2, Dafydd 1/14). Cav 104/6 (Bowen 2/1; Steadman jnr 32, D Parsons 24) Penarth. Cancelled due to waterlogged outfield South Glam. Lost by 60 runs SG 143/3 (D Parsons 1/6, Simpson 1/21). Cav 83ao (15.4ovs, Marchant 34, Steadman jnr 15) Uni Staff. Cancelled due to rain South Glam. Lost by 10 wickets Cav 97/4 (Marchant 25, Steadman jnr 21). SG 101/0 (13.5ovs) Haverfordwest - game B. Abandoned as a draw due to rain H'west 42/2 (7ovs, Chapman 2/14) Haverfordwest - game A. Lost by 7 wickets Cav 101ao (19.5ovs, Adams 40, Marchant 21). H'west 104/3 (16.2ovs, Duffy 2/9, D Parsons 1/16) Ynystawe . Match drawn Ynys 266/4 declared (33 ovs, D Parsons 2/18, Chapman 1/20). Cav 200/9 (43 ovs, D Parsons 70, Chapman 45) Sevenoaks. Won by 74 runs Cav 144/5 (Steadman jnr 52, Marchant 47). S‟ks 70ao (13.3ovs, Marchant 2/2, J Davies 2/8) Chartered Trust. Cancelled due to rain Welsh Water. 'Lost' by 6 wickets Cav 114/7 (Dafydd 28, Newbury 27, Steadman jnr 27no). WW 115/4 (17.2ovs, H Parsons 3/ Sudbrook. Cancelled due to waterlogged pitch Casuals. Cancelled due to rain Royal Mail. Cancelled due to rain Casuals, Cup semi final. Won by 9 wickets Cas 110/7 (Dafydd 3/11, Adams 1/3). Cav 113/1 (Steadman jnr 41ret, Hutchings 32) Clytha Arms. Cancelled due to rain Uni Staff. Cancelled due to rain Casuals. Cancelled due to waterlogged pitch. Fixture rearranged for Monday 16 July South Glam. Cancelled due to rain Casuals. Cancelled due to waterlogged pitch. Fixture rearranged for Monday 9 July Barry Strollers. Cancelled due to waterlogged pitch Rhiwbina. Lost by 29 runs Rhw 144/6 (J Davies 2/13, Duffy 2/33). Cav 115/6 (Steadman jnr 29, J Davies 21). Casuals. Cancelled due to rain. Fixture to be rearranged Tiger Moths. Lost by 7 wickets Cav 110/9 (Poulsom 20no, Simpson 19). TMoths 115/3 (20.3 ovs, Simpson 2/34). Sevenoaks. Lost by 76 runs Sks 158/2 (Bowen 1/10, Marchant 1/13). Cav 82 (19.2ovs, Newbury 20no, Duffy 11). Highways Hurricanes. Cancelled due to waterlogged pitch Consmen. Won by 7 wickets Consmen 82/6 (Chapman 2/12). Cavaliers 83/3 (12.4ovs, Marchant 34no, Adams 16 no). Abercarn. Won by 33 runs Cav 212/7 (Hutchings 85, Steadman jnr 61). Abercarn 179/7 (J Davies 1/23). Admiral Insurance. Lost by 8 wickets Cav 94/9 (H Parsons 16, D Lewis 13). Adm 97/2 (14.2 ovs). Consmen. Won by 50 runs Cav 165/6 (Chapman 41 retired, Hutchings 40 retired). Cons 115/9 (Marchant 2/11, D Parsons 2/19). Rogerstone Welfare. Lost by 96 runs R‟stone 224/6 (Dafydd 3/40, H Parsons 1/16). Cav 128/9 (Hutchings 33, Armstrong 27). GE Healthcare. Cancelled due to rain Chartered Trust. Lost by 5 wickets Cav 130/8 (M Thomas 29 , J Davies 14). CT 134/5 (18.4ovs, Marchant 1/11, D Parsons 1/13). & Edmundstone. Won by 58 runs Cav 157/9 (Armstrong 39, M Thomas 19 not out); T&E 99 all out (32.4ovs, D Parsons 3/19, J Davies 2/7). Euro-Commercials. Won by 30 runs Cav 146/0 (18ovs, D Parsons 51 ret, Steadman jnr 50 ret). Euros 116/4 (18ovs, Strawson 2/3, J Thomas 1/10). Highways Hurricanes. Cancelled due to waterlogged pitch Cardiff Casuals. Cancelled due to wet weather. Sri Lankans. Lost by 4 runs SWSL 263/9 (Steadman jnr 5/27, Adams 2/56); Cav 259/8 (Steadman jnr 87, J Davies 59, Adams 33). Barbarians. Won by 8 wickets CBB 139/5 (20ovs, Bowen 2/16, Duffy 1/14). Cav 140/2 (16.3ovs, Steadman jnr 62, Marchant 40no). Dinas Powys. Lost by 235 runs DP 271 ao (34.4 ovs, M Thomas 3/50, D Parsons 2/45). Cav 36 ao (19.4ovs, J Thomas 9, Simpson 8). Barry Wanderers. Lost by 93 runs Barry W 223/7 (Simpson 2/34, Adams 1/17). Cav 130 ao (29.1 ovs, Steadman Jnr 38, Adams 28)

Barry Wanderers, 22 Sep. Barry Wanderers 159/3 (Brown 1/15, J Thomas 1/19). Cavaliers 87ao (29.3ovs, Duffy 22, Marchant 18). Lost by 72 runs

The Cavaliers reported for duty at the less frequent time of early Saturday afternoon for the curtain call to what has been an historic season in many ways, with good levels of success in both league and cup competitions, not to mention some personal milestones.

Fitting it was then that the last game was to be at the hospitable Wanderer‟s home ground (anyone else see the irony there?) to complete the year, with the picturesque backdrop of the Atlantic behind the trees. The Wanderer‟s were clearly expecting the now commonplace large number of travelling Cavalier supporters, and had prepared by going through the trouble of erecting no less than 3 advertising boards.

Jimmy Marchant looking to protect his 100% “as long as you don‟t count the tour match” winning record as captain lost the toss, and the Wanderers decided to take to the middle first. Jason Duffy opened the and produced an aggressive but unlucky spell including 3 maidens. Several edges were found, with the clearest opportunity being created of a thick outside edge that the diving „Papa‟ Roake was unable to hold onto at second (N.B there was no first slip, Gog had it covered). Duffy was rewarded for his good form by being bowled straight through and finishing with economical figures of 8-3-23-0.

Papa Roake opened at the other end, starting well with two maidens, and causing problems for the batsman with no small amount of help from a steeply in-sloping pitch. Unfortunately the best opportunity of Roake‟s early bowling was a and bowled that was dropped, leading Brownie to comment “even I would have caught that one!” However, in a subsequent the first wicket of the Wanderers innings fell clean bowled by Roake (6-2-22-1). Next on was Derek „Geisha‟ Lewis who managed to find a good line and length immediately, again using the bowler friendly slope of the pitch to good effect, keeping things tight and being unlucky not to claim our second wicket (6-0-21-0). He was partnered by the equally miserly Warwick „Wazza‟ Armstrong who was bowling a similar combination of varying speeds and lines to good effect, ending with respectable figures of 5-1-24-0.

The captain, sensing the need for more wickets to fall, brought himself into the attack bowling his combination of various spinners sprinkled with the odd „moody‟ outburst. Jimmy, like several other bowlers before him was unlucky not to take a wicket, but did succeed in keeping the rate achievable and finishing with figures of 8- 0-29-0 and closing the innings from his end [Ed: there were loaud groans when Papa, mistaking his fielding position on the square leg , was directed by Jez towards the boundary board, the one that was “the Surridge with the fringe on top”].

From the other end of the wicket breakthroughs were made. Firstly JT managed to secure a wicket from his 3 overs, ending with 3-0-19-1, while the king of spin Graeme Brown bowled well, teasing one Wanderers batsman with a 6, before having him clean bowled next ball, with his self proclaimed „quicker one‟.

The Cavaliers generally fielded well, with the exception of a few dropped catches. However, as has been commonplace this season all fielders worked hard to support their bowlers, notably with Wyn „Rabbit‟ Pritchard living up to his nickname and diving (or falling – its ok he doesn‟t have the internet) all over the place to stop certain boundaries [Ed: it has been another feature of the Club this year that several of our novices and/or older players have clearly been working on improving their game particularly on the field, and Rabbit followed up this fine display with another good one and an economical spell of bowling at the indoor game on Tuesday.]

The Wanderers finished on 159 from their 40 overs, and the mood amongst the Cavaliers was one of optimism, with a run rate of 4 an over feeling achievable. A mood that was certainly helped by an excellent tea, and a slightly less excellent win in the rugby for England (buoying at least some of the less Welsh Cavaliers.)

We opened our innings with the two most successful batsman in the Club's history (at least in one season) Wazza and the Dog Crusher. The two showed their contrasting but equally effective styles in the first few overs, with Warwick ever watchfully accumulating runs, while Steaders was all out on attack, perhaps worried that Warwick may score a quick 500 and overtake his newly established record. Initially the runs were flowing and if the pace could have been continued, the target would have been met with ease.

Unfortunately Steaders attacking style led to his downfall, catching a top edge when attempting a pull, that was well caught on the boundary for 15 (9 balls, 3x4). JT came to join Warwick at the crease, but he was out in a similar way to Steaders, also top-edging a pull shot and being caught for 1 (8 balls).

Warwick was next to depart, having played a well paced innings being clean bowled for 17 (27 balls, 3x4). This left the new partnership of captain Jimmy and newly discovered all rounder Jason Duffy. [Ed: Our erstwhile Oracle had all his cricketing knowledge and wisdom called upon when, at the start of one Mike Ashton over, the bowler stopped at the crease and veered suddenly towards short mid-off at a rate of knots, doubtless in search of purer air as the non-striking Mr Marchant found it necessary to release the effect of some of the fine tea at that juncture.] Both played some attacking shots in an effort to push on with the run rate, with attacking intent leading to Jimmy‟s wicket, being bowled for 18 (3x4). Steve Roake was next out to join Duffy at the crease.

After some wise words of advice from a friendly to „nudge and nurdle‟ our way back into the innings Jason had clearly not been listening (or needs to have explained to him the meaning of nudge and nurdle), opening up and hitting the very next for a great 6 over mid on, and following it up with another attacking shot for 4 off the same over. Roake meanwhile was more conservative at the other end, hitting one boundary before departing for 7 (10 balls) being bowled by a straight one [Ed: such tautology – if it wasn‟t straight, it wouldn‟t have bowled him. QED.]

[Ed: there was much discussion and debate about whether this tail was the oldest in Cavalier history, with Sparky being the “junior” just a few years short of his half , Gog, Brownie and Rabbit being past that milestone, and Geisha having declared his 67 years earlier in the season. Only the late withdrawal of Swash to protect an Achilles niggle meant that it stayed under a combined total of 300.]

The Gog was next in but never looked settled and was soon back in the pavilion (0, 5 balls). Next in was Brownie, who unfortunately was not on the same wavelength as Jason and a misunderstanding and run-out brought to an end Jason‟s entertaining innings, finishing with the Cavalier‟s top score of 22 (23 balls, 1x6, 3x4). At the same time that wicket ushered in an era of what was phrased „Master‟s cricket‟ by one of the unruly boundary-side crowd. Derek Lewis, Graeme Brown and Wyn Pritchard were unlucky not to put on more runs between them. Jez was last man in, but was unfortunate not to face a ball, but will console himself with a N.O to bolster his average [Ed: no such luck as the miserly statistician advises that he hasn‟t had enough innings to get an average this season.]

The Wanderers thoroughly deserved their win, putting on a determined show with both bat and ball.

Following the game many of the players retired to the Wanderer‟s local, The Sully Arms, where Steaders bought a jug to celebrate his record-breaking feat and a fines court was presided over by Judge Gog where the heinous crimes of the day were discussed and enjoyed the end of a successful and enjoyable season.

Barry Athletic, 16 Sep. Cavaliers 219/4 (Marchant 71 , Armstrong 54no, Steadman jnr 36). Barry Athletic 221/2 (29.3 ovs, Buckland 95no, Baker 66, Phillips 41). Lost by 8 wkts

At 1.55 on Sunday 16 September, the Red Arrows flew over the picturesque Barry Athletic Cricket Club in perfect formation to celebrate Andy Steadman breaking the record for most runs scored in a season. Unfortunately, they had obviously anticipated Steaders reaching the 36 runs he needed a little quicker than he actually did and we couldn‟t arrange for them to turn around and do it again quarter of an hour later when, in the 20th over, a lovely square cut took him to 36, 671 for the season and relief all round.

Let‟s rewind a bit. As we pulled into the Island, all Cavaliers shared the same thoughts – will he? Won‟t he? There was a distinct “end of the summer” feel to the afternoon. Seagulls were circling, the faint smell of chips was wafting from the seafront and the warmth of the September sun was tempered by increasing cloud cover and a blustery breeze. With just two games of the season left Steaders seemed quite relaxed at the prospect of becoming a record breaker. With Simmo winning the toss and electing to bat, he didn‟t have too much time to think about it and was soon marching out to his date with destiny as he prepared to open the innings with Dave Parsons.

Our first pair made steady progress against an all spin attack with 50 coming up in the 11th over. The watching Cavaliers were entertained by a ball by ball commentary from our own team – Bishan Brown and the Gog QC. It‟s fair to say that the microphone was hogged by Browny who was delighted to be able to comment not only on the occasional passing bus, but, more importantly on the constant flow of trains bringing day-trippers to the Island for their last 99 of the summer. Arriva train followed Arriva train followed Ar... no, wait a moment, which company operates trains bearing such a smart dark green livery? Our hosts couldn‟t tell us but thanks to the marvels of the interweb the author is please to be able to confirm that this was a Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU) set out in a two car combination (as opposed to the 4 car version) operated by the Barry Island Railway company. We can all rest happy.

The Gog‟s musings tended to be more along the lines of “there‟s a cloud up there that looks like Keira Knightley”. A few minutes later he spotted a cloud “that looks like Lord Voldemort”. Oh dear. The very mention of “you know who” set all kinds of mystical forces in motion and we lost our first wicket – Dave being caught in the covers for a patient 22 with the score standing at 69.

Jimmy joined Steaders at the crease but it was clear that the weight of expectation was getting to the dog- crushing run machine. He scratched around, trying to get the ball away with little success until that lovely cut in the 20th: 671 runs for the season, one ahead of Warwick who, typically, led the applause from the boundary. With the shackles off, Steaders moved his feet freely for the first time in the innings and was promptly bowled without adding any more to his score!

In walked Warwick and proved from the outset why he has been such an important part of the Cavaliers batting line up for so long. He and Jimmy batted splendidly. Jimmy scored an excellent 75 last year at this ground and was determined to do the same again this year. He batted aggressively and was accumulating runs quickly, peppering the boundary all around field and shouting his displeasure when he felt he‟d missed out on giving a bad ball the treatment. It was a surprise that he only hit one 6 in his innings but what a 6 - a magnificent straight hit over the distant rope at mid-on. Warwick wasn‟t going to be overshadowed by this display of hitting and was building another significant score at over a run a ball. The pair took the score from 79 for 2 in the 20th over to 198 in the 38th when Jimmy was the victim of a smart stumping. He‟d scored 71 in 66 balls with 50 of his runs coming in boundaries.

Next up was JT, the Havers-haired charmer. He stayed until the final over, pushed a ball towards midwicket, scampered for a single but was little too slow to respond to the call for a second. Despite a game attempt to emulate his hero in Havers‟ finest hour, Chariots of Fire, the Honorary Embezzler couldn‟t cross the line before the stumps were broken which meant that the Gog QC was able to join Warwick at the wicket for the last couple of balls. At the end of the innings Warwick had racked up another 54 not out, the Gog had a well crafted 2 and the Cavaliers had set their hosts a challenging 220 to win.

After a lovely tea we walked back onto the pitch to find the sun disappearing, the clouds rolling in and the wind picking up. Late summer appeared to have turned to autumn in the space of 25 minutes!

A couple of weeks ago the young Barry openers had started very cautiously on the agricultural disgrace of the Oval. No such fears this afternoon as they were much more at home in familiar surroundings with a decent pitch to play on.

The Cavaliers started with a Parsons and Parsons attack but with little joy. Athletic were 50 up in just 5 overs but even the loss of Phillips, bowled by a beauty from Huw, didn‟t stop the flow of runs. The brothers were replaced by Warwick and Jimmy but both batsmen were “in” and seeing the ball really well. Drinks were brought out after 20 overs with the score standing at 146 for 1, the skies were becoming darker by the minute and the first spits of rain were blowing in off the sea.

The spits became drizzle, which became swirling rain in the space of a couple of overs. The boundary was deserted as all the Athletic players were taking shelter and it was clear that the batsmen wanted to secure their victory and get off the pitch as quickly as possible. Jules “do the” Boardman and Bishan Brown were asked to bowl with an increasingly slippery ball and it was getting more and more difficult for the Cavalier fielders to back them up due to the conditions. Steaders, Swash, Warwick and Dave manfully chased balls to all corners of the pitch but the batsmen were always in control.

Wet cricket shirts stuck to flabby tummies more tightly than a Wales rugby jersey but it wasn‟t just the fielders suffering at the hands of the weather. The batsmen were finding it difficult to hold onto their bats and on a couple of occasions a Gunn and Moore flew further than the ball it had just hit.

There was a brief moment of joy as Jules picked up a wicket in his third over when Baker chipped a catch to Jimmy in the covers but by this stage the result was never in doubt. A few more big hits saw the Athletic reach 221 for 2 in the 30th over, at which point both teams legged it of the field and into the clubhouse as quickly as possible.

Okay, so it was a comprehensive victory for the Athletic in the end but a memorable one for the Cavaliers and for Andy Steadman in particular. Who‟ll nudge ahead of 671 next year? Andy? Jimmy? Warwick again? That‟ll keep for the 2008 season. Right now we‟re waiting for Steaders to get a jug in!!

South Wales Sri Lankans, 9 Sep. SWSL 214/5 (Armstrong 2/19). Cavaliers 171ao (37ovs, Marchant 79no). Lost by 43 runs

This was expected to be a keenly fought contest, following the Sri Lankans‟ narrow victory early in the season, and so it proved. Cavaliers captain Mark Simpson, commenting prior to the toss, concluded that 200 would be a good score on this wicket. He clearly knows the Llandaff Oval well.

Having won the toss, the Sri Lankans opted to bat, but must have questioned their choice, as Cavaliers opening bowlers Armstrong and Adams (not the quickest opening pair around) quickly found line and length. Runs were hard to come by and, as the pressure began to tell, two batsmen were quickly back in the pavilion (or at least the tea gazebo). However, as Saeed joined Siva to raise the run rate, and the back up bowlers were unable to maintain the hold exerted by their predecessors, the balance of the game gradually shifted towards the visitors.

Simpson rotated his attack diligently, using seven bowlers in all, but not until Saeed retired hurt on 56 towards the end of the innings [Ed: an unfortunate run for Saaed who has had to retire on several occasions in games against us], were they able to make a further breakthrough. Siva eventually fell after an impressive innings of 111, taken by Steadman with a typically fine catch off the bowling of Jimmy Marchant.

The Sri Lankans completed their 40 overs on 214 for 5. Warwick Armstrong, having bowled his 8 overs straight through at the outset, finished with the best figures of 2 for 19. Simpson took the other two wickets to fall. While the visitors batted well, the bowlers did not always benefit from quality support in the field. Nevertheless, there were some highlights in the fielding performance, with Armstrong demonstrating his more exotic dancing skills trying to stop a boundary and Adams, over a typically fine Cavaliers tea, exhibiting badly bloodied knees. He did, however, admit this was in part down to spending too much time on them.

Cavaliers opened their innings brightly with Armstrong and Andy Steadman keeping close to the . However, after Steadman nicked an inside edge onto his stumps [Ed: a clever bit of thinking by the left- arm bowler who‟d changed his attack to round the wicket and the new angle of delivery brought instant rewards], Armstrong was bowled by a quality ball which turned and lifted, taking the top of the off stump. At this point Marchant was joined by Adams, and again the run rate was restored [Ed: both showed excellent judgment, defending the good ball but then dispatching the bad ball, often for the maximum, and were suitably cheered by Hon Sec's faithful hound who had earlier been much disappointed to find no errant sandwiches or other teatime accoutrements festooned upon the floor.]

However, after Adams went lbw for 14 out of a partnership of 53, the Cavaliers middle and lower orders proved fragile in the face of consistent bowling [Ed: concentration was focussed when Caesar strode to the wicket with everyone willing him a run to open his season‟s account but, alas, the lack of pace on the ball again did for him when he was through the perfectly correct shot an instant before the ball arrived while Gog then continued to underline his reputation for eschewing running with yet another crunching boundary]. Despite keeping tantalizingly close to the run rate, the innings eventually folded on 171 with 3 overs remaining.

Marchant, displaying power and versatility in his choice of shots, gained some compensation for an unusually torrid time as a bowler, and finished marooned on 79 not out [Ed: a pity that no-one could keep Jimmy company long enough that might have made it possible for him to reach the three figure landmark that will surely come if he continues in this rich vein of form]. Brian Condon was the pick of the visitors‟ bowlers, taking 3 for 40 off his 8 overs.

At the outset the visitors had claimed a lack of match practice due to the poor summer weather, but in the event they looked well in tune. Cavaliers performed competently, but will need to sharpen their fielding and see more application in the middle and lower order batting, if they are to turn more of these competitive performances into victories. [Ed: UWIC continued to 'endear' themselves to us when several of the team found it impossible to leave the grounds as the security guard had gone off on his rounds – or popped out for a cuppa perhaps – and had to wait for what seemed a considerable length of time before the car park barrier could be raised. Clearly, the incoming committee for 2008 will have to address the question of how we manage these September home games in the future.]

Highways Hurricanes, 6 Sep. C&H Cup series decider. Cavaliers 116/5 (Poulsom 2/2, Chapman 43, Steadman jnr 31). Hurricanes 93/6 (AD Parsons 3/4, D Lewis 1/5). Won by 23 runs and reclaim the C&H Cup with a 2-0 series victory

Silverware for the Cavaliers - The C & H trophy has returned home!

Herds of wildebeest grazed on the high veldt meadowland, formerly known as Llandaff Oval, as the Hurricanes took to the field following an “engineered” toss of the coin. Late changes saw some familiar names appearing on the Hurricanes team sheet – Brown, Davis, Poulsom and Sparkes [Ed: they‟d been promised the cream of our youth academy and looks like they certainly got it!].

Vince and Andy opened the batting for the Cavaliers. Steaders Junior looked nervous at the start, the pressure of chasing the run-record clearly evident! After a cautious start the runs began to flow before Vince was bowled for 13. Jimmy, captaining, was soon into his stride but unfortunately chased a delivery only to be well caught by Griffo off his own bowling.

A solid partnership then developed between Glen (43) and Andy (31) who played their shots all around the field, and were eventually well caught on the boundary. Despite a late flurry of wickets, including a fantastic run-out by Chris O‟Brien of Dave Parsons [Ed: eliciting the following „sledge‟, if it might be termed such from the Oracle, who growled at the outgoing batsman, “No-one takes two off my bowling, son!”], the Cavaliers finished on a very commendable 116 for 5 from 16 overs. [Ed: later recriminations among the Hurricanes, as they sought long and hard into the night and then continued into Friday afternoon to seek to explain how they had ben so completely outplayed for two weeks running, highlighted that fact their Cavalier „loans‟ had bowled just 19% of the overs, but conceded only 12% of the runs and yet 60% of the wickets fell in these overs – a fine testament to the excellent quality of cricketers that Jimmy had allowed to appear for the opposition.]

(There were claims that the Cavaliers‟ batsmen were dazzled by one of the Hurricanes‟ fielders who was, regrettably, wearing shorts and whose legs were sponsored by Persil!)

The Hurricanes innings started well, with Griffo in particular scoring freely including one magnificent straight 6 off Geisha Lewis. A fine bowling spell from Wyn the Rabbit Pritchard (0-14) and Derek Geisha Lewis (1-5) slowed the scoring and the pressure began to mount on the Hurricanes batsmen. Fine wicket keeping from Mark “the cat” Searle, yet another catch and great support in the field, ensured that the Hurricanes were always behind the run rate. Excellent bowling from Jimmy (1-7) and a superb over from Dave P (3-4) saw the Hurricanes innings crumble away, but not before there were some fine lusty blows from our Chairman guesting for the Hurricanes – “too late” was the cry from the boundary.

Jimmy retained his 100% record as captain and the Cavaliers, therefore, regained the C & H trophy which had been residing with the Hurricanes for too long! Deep analysis of the game followed in the Butchers Arms as usual.

There were disturbing reports that the amateur status of the guesting players was placed in jeopardy when the Hurricanes were seen handing over brown envelopes to the “mercenaries” – I mean Cavaliers – anyone with information on this heinous crime should contact the web-master!! [Ed: sadly we have yet to get our hands physically on the trophy as Griffo managed to „forget‟ to bring it but he has been asked by Hurricanes C-in-C to ensure it is handed over in time for the dinner where, he says, “it will be formally presented, to a rapturous reception with Glyn and Jeremy being carried shoulder-high through the throng, followed by a ticker-tape parade through the city centre”.]

Barry Athletic, 2 September. Barry Ath 194/8 (Brown 3/25 Simpson 2/19). Cavaliers 142ao (32ovs, Steadman jnr 54, Duffy 22). Lost by 52 runs

A distinctly Autumnal day greeted the teams at a windswept Oval. However before the action commenced the Cavaliers bonding exercise took place, ie. erecting the Gazebo. Due note was taken of Armstrong‟s instruction as to the siting of the Gazebo in relation to the setting sun (sun in this summer Warwick?).

Rhidian caused some wry amusement in innocently enquiring as to his full duties as 12th man. The wry reply was that as the starting eleven contained four members in their sixth decade a quick visit to an alternative medicine outlet in town would assist these veterans in matters both within and beyond the boundary.

Play eventually started at 1.50pm [Ed: Barry Ath having asked that the match revert to its traditional start time were then delayed in their departure but fortunately rang to warn us of their late arrival} with Duffy opening from the Llandaff end. His opening salvo contained a brutal snorter which flew off a length and Thomas did well to avoid injury. His lively opening spell brought its reward with Thomas playing on (9) but Taylor introduced himself by cutting a rare loose delivery to the point boundary. The Barry boys quickly assessed the track and concluded that to set the base for a competitive total concentration rather than flamboyance would be required. They therefore were not tempted by Parsons (D) variations of pace and length (0-29)

The introduction of “Jiffy” and Adams almost saw the breakthrough by dint of imaginative field positioning by the bowlers. JD (0-22) request for a slip saw Eastman edge agonisingly close to Moore and Adams strengthening of his offside was almost rewarded with Brown‟s fingernails grazing the ball following his despairing dive (sort of). Adams continued his rich vein of form with the ball with the southpaw Eastman jabbing to backward point where Davies (R) did the necessary with little fuss.

Buckland and Taylor then commenced a mature partnership that belied their tender years. It was a master class of how to build a total on an uneven wicket and a slow outfield. They harried the field with quick running and punished any loose deliveries. Parsons (H) joined his brother in having little luck in an accurate spell (0- 12). Clearly Mrs Parsons must have been some bowler in view of the consistently good performances of her offspring (a bit of an in joke here for Senior Cavaliers). That wise head Moore produced a tidy spell against a partnership looking to cut loose and was unlucky not to get in the wicket column (0-28).

Simpson ended their 72 run partnership by removing Buckland (46) courtesy of a fine over the shoulder catch by Duffy and he followed up to by taking a return catch from the impressive Taylor (57) (Simpson 2-19 ).

Simpson then took the considerable risk of inviting Brown to the attack. This erstwhile prolific wicket taker has endured a dark summer of the soul with the current generation of batsmen treating his teasing with little respect and distant spectators have been in more danger than the stumps. Indeed watching him bowl this season has been the cricketing equivalent of Leslie Phillips attempting to attend a weekend rave still believing that his blazer, cravat and louche demeanour can pull the modern day chicks. Concern for his fate had spread beyond the human world as the Hon Sec's canine companion Suka ran on the pitch and re-inforced the legside field. She need not have fret as Brown‟s balls began to sing a redemption song.

He deceived both Phillips (5) and Roberts (0) with flight and gently disturbed their timbers. He induced a mistimed drive from Dodds (0) to cover where Moore exhibited the safe pair of hands that graced the no.15 jersey at the Old Cantonians and . His figures were damaged when Regie struck a sumptuous straight six but he happily accepted the gifts of the cricketing Gods (Brown 3-25) [Ed: and Suka was happy to bark her support at the fall of each wicket.]

Duffy returned and removed the dangerous Regie (12) with the gloveman Davis pouching a stinging edge and the innings closed with the visitors reaching 194-8. This was a stiff target but the home side had stuck to the task well with disciplined bowling backed up with keen out fielding. Tea was taken with the Cavaliers spread much appreciated by all [Ed: including the faithful hound when an errant ham sandwich found its way on to the grass.]

The Cavaliers openers Steadman and Parsons (D) took the field inevitable in this dreadful season in a light drizzle which fortunately relented. They faced a youthful but well versed opening attack. Roberts in particular gave a delightful exhibition of accurate . To grasp this most elusive art at such an early age is a credit both to himself and his coaches.

The Cavaliers duo were clearly intent on a long stay and it was a surprise when Parsons departed bowled by Eastman in the 8th over for 11 with a score on 33. JD greeted the Vale men with typical pulls through midwicket but perished for 16 when feathering a catch through to the keeper. Moore fell to Baker (0) which was an inappropriate seasonal end for the Honourable whose return to the colours is welcomed by all Cavaliers.

Baker accounted for Davies (R) and Adams cheaply [Ed: a rare failure for Grizz who, until this game, has rarely failed to make runs against this side.] Steadman despite playing a typical innings of studied defence, quick singles and elegant strokemaking was in danger of being marooned. The drinks break at the halfway point of 88 for 5 indicated that the Cavaliers chances were undone not by the run rate but by the steady stream of wickets.

Steadman again passed the half century and was only defeated by a stunning catch on the midwicket boundary worthy of any stage for 54 giving Eastman a third victim. Duffy refused to give up hope and counter attacked with a belligerent knock highlighted by a front foot smash which fell inches short of the long off boundary and a midwicket maximum as the fielder fumbled a gallant attempt to pull of another memorable catch. Davis provided worthy assistance although his running between wickets did suggest that the Chairman‟s haemorrhoids may still be troubling him.

This brave 7th wicket partnership yielded 33 runs before Duffy was bowled by Thomas for 22 [Ed: good to see 'Mystic' getting over his disappointment of being denied the opportunity by the weather to add to his Penarth folklore but it's not know whether the light was good enough for his cameraphone to take another snap] and Davis followed soon afterwards for 10. The final acts were quick and painless with Simpson and Parsons (H) dismissed in consecutive balls leaving Dodd tantalisingly on a hatrick. The Cavaliers were bowled out for 142 at 6.33pm with 8 overs unused.

Sadly no match report would be complete without reference to the state of the outfield which looked more like a harvest festival from the nearby Cathedral than a cricket ground. What made it more galling is the alacrity with which the college authorities now charge for car parking through their private contractors in comparison to their tardiness in removing newly cut grass from the field [Ed: the Wurzels would've felt at home in this hay field and if ever vindication was needed of the club's decision to make the Cathedral School its home base this season - several visiting batsmen have opined that they liked Llandaff Oval - the state of UWIC's outfield and the slow and unpredictable nature of the wicket itself provided it.]

Nonetheless this did not diminish the sheer pleasure of playing our first 40 over fixture on a Sunday since mid June. Hopefully the weather will now allow the Club to play the remaining fixtures including the return at Barry Island. There is still much to play for in September this most evocative of cricketing months.

Match Attendance: 9 (8 Humans, 1 Canine) Away Support: 4

Highways Hurricanes, 30 Aug. C&H Cup series. Hurricanes 68ao (15.3ovs, Armstrong1/0, Chapman 2/6, Dafydd 2/9). Cavaliers 71/1 (13.2ovs, Chapman 25no, Marchant 23no). Won by 9 wickets and take a 1-0 lead in the series

On a bright Thursday evening, the Cavaliers met the Highway Hurricanes for the first time this season on a wicket that can only be described as green (some may say under-prepared) and an outfield which can only be described as lush (some may say grassy).

The talk before the game centred around the merits of attempting to clear the grass from the outfield which had recently been cut, but unfortunately Jimmy only had two rakes in the back of his van, and on calculating that it would take two people, with a rake each, until lunchtime on Saturday to clear the excess grass, it was decided to abandon the idea and just have a kickabout with Rhidian‟s football as a warm up instead.

The square looked like it was getting its first action of the season and this was reinforced when it was established that there were no holes in the pitch for the stumps! Gog, Glyn and Simmo battled manfully for twenty minutes to force the stumps into the ground and allow play to get under way. An engineered toss allowed the Hurricanes to bat first to allow some of their team to get to the ground.

Looking keen and sounding vocal the Cavaliers took to the field and opened up with Ross (1-6) and „Geisha‟ Lewis (1-17), who, fresh from his wicket taking exploits in the previous match, was on the hunt for a 4th career hat-trick. Both struck early as the Hurricanes started slowly and lost wickets at regular intervals, with the first five batsmen all departing after being clean bowled with only 38 on the board.

Ross and Geisha were replaced by Rhidian the Riddler (2-9) who earned his new nickname as the opposing batsmen seemed to have no answer to his well directed, full pitched bowling which earned him 2 more clean bowled victims. In keeping with the Batman theme, Jimmy the Joker (1-5) was next up and he went through his full repertoire of deliveries including an attempted googly which deceived the batsman by bouncing twice. Incidentally, Jimmy earned his new nickname just by looking a bit funny, and it has a better ring to it than Jimmy the Penguin, although with his knees ...

Glyn (2-17) came on to bowl next and was unlucky when Rhidian, who was stood at long on, did his best Peter Shilton (or should that be Paris Hilton?) impression and tipped the ball over the bar for a six – a great save considering he was staring straight into a setting sun. [Ed: allegedly the Hurricanes had upbraided Hon Sec when he guested for them in their recent victory over Willow League champions Casuals for a reference in a match report last year concerning the inability of their batsmen to recognise the forward defensive, let alone know how to essay one. He could claim, were he such a man to do so, that this evening‟s game simply reinforced the accurate observation of the obviously keen eyed reporter as 8 Hurricanes were clean bowled on this occasion, with some of them attempting an agricultural heave of straight balls in the direction of cow corner. Not even the presence of Mr Clive Campbell QC among their number could find a shred of evidence to weave a defence so Hon Sec rests his case, m‟lord.]

The Hurricanes tail wagged [Ed: and you always thought it was the eye of the hurricane you had to look out for ...] with some lusty blows and took them up to 68 with their last wicket falling in the final over bowled by Warwick (1-0), who came on following spells by Simmo (0-7) and Glenn (2-6).

The Cavaliers bowling and ground fielding was excellent and Caesar excelled behind the stumps, managing not to concede a on what was a difficult seaming track, which was no mean feat. Equally impressive was the enthusiastic appealing from Jez throughout the game, particularly for LBW shouts, from his perfect vantage point of backward point, all of which proved fruitless. [Ed: he claimed he was only helping out Caesar who, on removing the bails with some alacrity on one occasion, whirled round like a top, saying “Where is he? Where‟s the umpire? Who do I appeal to?” – a somewhat tall story even by the normal standards applied to the erstwhile Mr Sparkes.]

With the sun setting Steaders jnr and Glenn were sent in with team orders to be there at the end. Team orders however started to change somewhat when, at 6-0 from 5 overs, both openers looked as if they were having a competition to see who could look the most out of touch, with the general feeling beyond the boundary ropes that both players were decidedly „scratchy‟ [Ed: so much so that there was considerable debate whether we'd better off jettisoning the calypso cry of "Give it da long handle!" in favour of sending out some flea powder with a drink.]

Steaders however pushed the pace with a few quick singles (much to the distaste of his much heavier batting partner) and seemed determined not to let anything through his defences – including two balls which were so wide he had to catch a Cardiff cab just to hit them [Ed: verily, one was almost in the adjoining parish].

With 30 on the board Steaders unfortunately played on for 11, still 126 runs short of Warwick‟s record run total for the season, but this only served to bring Jimmy to the crease who made light of the conditions by smacking a couple of moon balls to the boundary, before sensibly deciding to defend the balls that pitched [Ed: in the light of his new moniker, should this now be known alongside "Powerplays" and "Taking the new ball" as a stage in the game of "Playing one's Joker" ...] An unbeaten stand of 41 saw the game won in the 13th over with Glenn on 25 [Ed: including 2 huge sixes, perhaps a sign of his displeasure at being made to run singles] and Jimmy 23, completing a resounding Cavaliers victory.

All in all a good team performance, enjoyed by all, and a good attendance at the Butchers afterwards [Ed: it has long been thought that the Cavaliers is a broad church but even so, Caesar & Son were espied in earnest discussion with Father Ted in the beer garden, but it is not known whether they were receiving catechism on the triumvirate LBW or simply had designs on Rome] with even the non-playing Duffy making an appearance as he‟d forgotten there was cricket on the telly. Roll on Thursday for the rematch [Ed: and the C&H Cup series decider]!!

Chartered Trust, 21 Aug. ‘Ashes’ series decider. Ch Trust 143-8 (D Lewis 4/2, Dafydd 1/14). Cavaliers 104-6 (Bowen 2/1; Steadman jnr 32, D Parsons 24). Lost by 39 runs

On one of these rare occasions this wet Summer the Cavaliers arrived at the Cathedral School to take on the Chartered Trust in our annual cup game. I say a wet Summer as if you look at the web site for this season 18 times games have been cancelled because of the wrong type of rain from the skies. If it is the right type you can play on and win cup semi-finals or make record scores against Sri Lankans, but the wrong type and you are washed away on a range of excuses from wet outfield to waterlogged wickets. Anyway I ramble on about that great British Tradition the weather and I should be concentrating on the game that made heroes of Laker & Bradman, Botham & Richards and Jones.S & Flintoff. Those great players who have graced the playing fields of these shores and overseas for the past decades and have been an inspiration and model to all budding Cavaliers in both cricket and the Art of Alcohol consumption.

This game was to be the last at the Cathedral school this season as soon those rosy cheeked choristers would be lifting on their cassocks and rising from sublimation off their hassocks and wending their way to the playing fields of this suburb of Cardiff to partake once again of the school they love. We Cavaliers had been kindly given the opportunity to sample the manicured strip this season that those young budding stars of the future would soon be back running and singing over these green fields – little sods.

A prelude to this delightful days sport was a message at 15.00 from the Hon Sec to announce it was game on and a veiled threat that my preparation of this report in advance would be scrutinised for copying. In addition a reference to that mysterious figure of the webmaster (aka Kaiser Soeze) was mentioned and the possibility of incurring the masters displeasure was woven through the second message with undertones of retribution should the master be displeased by my report [Ed: to avoid confusion, Hon Sec was only following orders for no-one would wish to incur the wrath of Kaiser Soza]. I am therefore taking the precaution of sticking to the cricket from here on in – well as best as I can. A subsequent message from the Hon Sec proclaimed that 3 Trust gentlemen had been swept away by a surge of tidal effluence up the Taff and they were now marooned in Roger Thorney‟s net at the Barrage – Roger was thinking of keeping them as pets but they were proving difficult to train. Therefore as they were now in thrall to said Thorney “King of the Barrage” he would hold them for ransom until the morrow. This allows Hon Sec and Captain Simmo to muster the reserve force of the Cavaliers to rescue the Trust and make good the deficit for the game.

As I ponder the game I must also mention an incident last night (Monday 20th August) with some Welshpool cricketers, one Steve Monk and others who were inebriated and know our latest recruit Glenn – Mr Monk tells me he taught Glenn all he knows and proceeded to insist on hugging me and spraying me with beer fumes during the night at Sophia Gardens. He delighted in shaking hands with the Yorkshire players and having his photo taken while the gent with him (Stanners) insisted on waving to Barnsley Gough and calling him the Dancing Queen.

Drunken cricketers are a pain – some want to hug, others want to scrap as Panda Villa will testify. It was also noted that some Cavaliers attended the thrashing by the white rose county and appreciated the search & pat down by the security staff (Grizz Adams was particularly grateful to be touched up). Trigger was also in attendance in a smart looking Saville Row number [Ed: by all accounts it was a really dashing „flute‟ and one feared if chilli dog stains are easy to remove] and was carrying hotdogs laced with mustard and tomato sauce by the handful to feed presumably the remaining Cavalier throng of The Honourable, Bishen Brown and Hon Sec.

Anyway to the great game for the Cavaliers/Trust trophy 2007 – the Trust were late and three men down so the Cavaliers with great kindness gave them Caesar, Gog and Panda from their unlimited resources [Ed: Panda had offered to forego his place for Jez to have a game but this was felt to be too unfair to our opposition and so the Panda played on]. Chartered Trust was given first use of the wicket as they only had 6 guys in attendance and Gog and Panda volunteered for umpiring duties. Rhidian Llewellyn ap Wyn Pugh Dafydd opened the bowling and had a tidy spell taking a wicket bowled middle stump. Trigger Thomas at the other end kept a steady pace but Captain Craig of the Trust took a liking to his “half trackers” on leg and smacked him for a couple of maximums. One of which was sailing towards his offspring who had to be shouted at to avoid the flying object.

This brought Simmo to the fray who bowled a peach of a first ball that missed the stumps by a flea‟s dick, a subsequent delivery took an inside edge to go onto the pads but direction down leg and Simmo went up like a whirling dervish of Kurdiststan screaming howzat into the face of the handsome and debonair umpire at the river end. Sadly he had to be informed that edges and direction of ball travel do not allow for lbw decisions in favour of the bowler under present MCC laws of cricket – it was a shame because the batsman was 6 hitting Craig [Ed: even the assembled throng of Trust batsman, who‟d now gathered at the pavilion, felt that it was deserving of a referral to the third umpire as the Gog‟s eyesight has not been as keen of late and they were all convinced it was out].

All our bowlers stuck to the task well and Dave P, Bish Brown, Grizz and Golden Knuckles Moore each twirled their magic with little joy against some good batsmen, the Pars (3-0-21-1) and Grizz (3-0-27-1) each got a wicket so did Rhidian who had some creditable figures 3-0-14-1, as did the Skip with 3-0-18-1. Young JT was prominent behind the stumps sporting a new pair of wickies gloves to go with his Havers Hairstyle and claiming a stumping with his speed of hand.

However the star of the show was Geisha Lewis who came on to bowl the penultimate over when all seemed lost and he destroyed the cream of a generation of batting in a few minutes of this precious and fragile life. Young Lewis a master of dip, swerve and spin sent his first ball down to the Gog who delicately swept to the Pars at short fine leg (this was the same son of Garry who earlier had taken a good catch at point) result no run.

Next ball the elegant yet wild number seven bat from the Northern sweeps of Cymru smashed the second ball of Geisha‟s over towards mid-wicket where panther Brown was prowling, the panther of Roath parried and dived towards the hurtling object and held onto a tremendous catch that Jonty Rhodes would have been proud of [Ed: to the neutral onlooker it seemed more a case of “catching practice or dental practice” with Brownie deciding on the cheaper option but managing to make it look nonchalant as though he pocketed these in his sleep].

The Gog was mendicant at this stage but all wishes were in vain as the traitor of his team was seen off to the pavilion with Brown screaming his delight like a porn star on heat. The crowd knew this was something special and went silent but expectant. Caesar was next in Geisha‟s firing line and the silent white haired assassin bowled him “neck & crop” next ball to have two in two off 3 deliveries. [Ed: Caesar reports that he was done for pace, the lack of it, having got into position and played his shot before the ball pitched.] Dooley of the Trust entered the fray and took guard; all were expectant; the bowl was delivered from the fingers of the Geisha it swerved, stopped, did a backflip – came on straight and true and up went the umpire‟s digit – out roared the baying mob and Geisha was swamped by excited men showing delight at the sight of Derek‟s might. A single off the next ball brought Panda into the firing line a vicious spitting cobra leapt at him and took his bails – Lewis the destroyer had 4 wickets in 5 balls, the final ball recorded a run and it was job done for the journeyman of this precious but unpredictable game. The final over was bowled and a score of 143 was posted leaving Derek (Geisha) Lewis unable to improve on his enviable figures of 1-0-2-4.

The Cavaliers innings started well with a good opening partnership between the Dogcrusher and Pars which covered 8.3 overs and 55 runs (Steaders of the Bailey scored 32 was retired, returned and in confusing circumstances [Ed: his team cheered and clapped when the total reached 50 and Steaders thought it was summonsing him to the bar and he bade his farewells only to be sent back, his concentration cruelly broken] – Pars was C&B‟d for 24. The white ball was introduced at over 8 and this seemed to herald the demise of the Cavaliers batting as only Mooro 13 and JT 12 got into double figures after the openers. [Ed: Grizz was „done‟ by JT‟s alacrity and penchant for a quick single that he had previously been declining with other partners, leaving Grizz somewhat vainly stretching for the safety of the crease.] The last man standing was Wyn the Rocky Rabbit who gave a fine display of holding up one end to allow JT to smack a couple of fours. Cavaliers were 104 for 6 off their allocated overs [Ed: with Panda having excelled in opposition colours with 2/1 so he and Geisha took 6 of the 14 wickets in the match for a combined total of 3 runs off 12 deliveries.]

[Ed: there was, again, a fine crowd with Trust nippers outnumbering Cavaliers once we'd been dragooned into playing for the oppo, and several of the Welsh Asians who were sizing up the changing rooms with a builder. There was also a brief interruption when men in black appeared and wished to know who was in charge. Never one to shirk responsibility, Hon Sec was pointed out by everybody. However, these upstanding gentleman - at least, no-one offered them a seat - were pitch-to-pitch insurance salesmen who claimed they wanted to offload policies upon unsuspecting sportsmen and women. Hon Sec was suspicious when they asked if we had any youngsters playing they could talk to and diverted them successfully so they went off to bother the rugby lads training on the far side of the field.]

The trophy was presented at the victory bash to the winning skipper of the Trust who cried and swayed with the emotion of the event and then it was off to the Butchers for a beer were the Trust held a Kangaroo court to lift money off their chaps and also impinged on my territory. It wouldn‟t have happened in the King‟s day and I am sure Kaiser soeze (aka Verbal Kint) will have something to say about this. Did you know the word Kaiser originates from the word Caesar?

All magicians thrive on misdirection (as does the Soeze) and there is no better an exponent than a spin bowler so the mystery of this dark figure continues to haunt us. Only those in the inner sanctum have the vaguest inkling of who the webmaster may be [Ed: apparently several players were noticed with a limp or, at least, it looked as if they had a limp but decency does not allow us to postulate further; or could this be yet more subterfuge or maybe even a double, triple or quadruple bluff], can he be unveiled, will the Hon Sec give in under torture or bribe to reveal His/her name – watch this space for the next exciting instalment of “who is the Webmaster?”

Cup final. South Glam, 16 August. South Glam 143/3 (D Parsons 1/6, Simpson 1/21). Cavaliers 83ao (15.4ovs, Marchant 34, Steadman jnr 15). Lost by 60 runs

Go to the photo gallery section of the website for a link to the match day photos on the web album

Cavaliers: Mark Simpson (capt), James Marchant (vice capt), Andrew Steadman, Nick Hutchings (wkt), Glenn Chapman, Jonathan Davies, Nigel Adams, David Parsons, Jason Duffy, Rhidian Dafydd, Ross Bowen. 12th men and reserves: Richard Davies, Matt Thomas, Warwick Armstrong, Steve Roake

Umpires: John Furnham (Cardiff Casuals), Chris Vanstone (The Consmen)

Scorers: Mark Searle, Warwick Armstrong

With South Glam needing 7 attempts to play their semi final due to the soggy summer, the final took place a full month after its appointed date with both teams relieved to get the “all systems go” signal from the Cathedral School groundsman to say that everything had dried sufficiently for the pitch to be readied.

South Glam did a unique treble last year, winning the League title, Cup and Shield and went into this game having retained the Shield and having lost only 2 competitive games in the whole of the last two seasons, so were clearly the form side. The Cavaliers, though, had found the Cup format more suited to their all round depth, overwhelming both The Consmen and the newly crowned 2007 League champions Casuals on our way to the Cathedral School [Ed: yes, we know it doesn‟t have quite the same ring as “the road to Wembley” but it‟s certainly much easier to get to it]. The bookies would probably make South Glam favourites but may have hedged their bets a bit given the Cavaliers Cup form.

The selectors had been posed some interesting and tricky questions in deciding on the line up for the Cavaliers with 15 players in the reckoning and it was heartening to get the full support of the four who missed out [Ed: indeed it‟s been a feature of every Cavaliers fixture so far this season, not so much a case of “how on earth do we find 11”, but “which ones do we leave out for this match”, such has been the strength and commitment in player availability.]

As has been the case for many matches this year (only 2 games played in the pouring rain so far this season have attracted less than 2 supporters), the Cavaliers past and present were out in full strength and could probably have fielded 2 or even three teams given the vast numbers that thronged the boundary; even Hon Sec‟s faithful hound Suka was in attendance for a large part of the game and barked encouragement at the right time. And, as has been the case throughout the history of the Cavaliers, excellent performances by players of both teams were warmly applauded.

The toss was won by Simmo who decided with a firm pitch that we would probably be best placed to chase down a target and so he summoned his men for a team talk on the edge of the square [Ed: see photo link at the top of this report for some visual impressions.]

Hon Sec may have made a huge error in raiding the cupboard for a pucker brand new ball that had a good seam and was really shiny. The drawback was that both Rhidian and Ross, opening the bowling, got too much movement beating not just the bat but the keeper too on several occasions. With the League‟s unforgiving rule on wides and faced with a left/right batting combination that was adept at rotating the strike both struggled at first but then posed questions that lesser batsmen might well have found unanswerable. There were several plays and misses, inside edges that just missed the stumps and a few mishits later on that fell tantalising between fielders.

The introduction of JD and Jimmy slowed the scoring, conceding just 5 and 3 respectively each off their first overs. The switch to Dave P so that Jimmy could bowl at the death brought immediate rewards when Dave completely outfoxed South Glam‟s captain and leading batsman, Nick Allen, clean bowling him with his first delivery for 21. Dave continued with some great flight and accuracy to be the pick of our attack returning figures from his 12 deliveries of 1/6.

However, Jack Lansdown coming in at no3, was quickly into his stride, using his feet well to play some authentic shots, including 3 straight sixes and 2 fours, retiring at 40 off just 21 balls. This looked to set South Glam up for a push to a total of 160plus but there was some superb fielding by the Cavaliers with what seemed like easy 2s turned into singles and boundaries saved with wholehearted (and, at times, wholebody) commitment. Everyone played their part, with particular mention to Rhidan, JD, Dave P, Steaders and Jimmy who all had several excellent saves, but each Cavalier was involved, including tremendous backing up at both wickets to ensure there were no silly overthrows or gimme runs.

There was a moment of mirth after a straight six that ended on the footpath on the other side of the railings. With JD, Jason and Jez deliberating who should try and shimmy over the 6 foot high spiked fence, a cyclist was spotted coming along the path. “Oi, love”, chirped JD (which he later claimed was said by Jase), “can you toss our ball back?” The cyclist dismounted and collected the ball; “I will this time but don‟t call me „love‟ again” said the young man as he handed it through the rails to Jason.

A memorable moment of magic occurred when another of South Glam‟s top batsman, Andy Parry, was sent back from attempting a quick single only for Steaders to have a direct hit from square leg with just one stump to aim at.

This was followed by a well judged catch by Ross off Simmo‟s bowling (who finished with 1/21). Jason and Jimmy bowled well at the death with no boundary scored off the final three overs even though South Glam had plenty of wickets in hand. A total of 143 was certainly going to be competitive but was not the imposing score that it might have been but for the excellent fielding performance.

Steaders and Nick set out knowing that we needed to ensure that the asking rate of 8/over never got too high and set the right tone with 17 off the opening two overs. With our new set of boundary markers, recently liberated from the darkest recesses of Martin‟s attic, making it easier for the batsmen to see when they needed to keep going, we continued to show excellent judgement in running between the wickets that has been one of the many improvements in our play this year. It included a 3 that appeared to be a single, put pressure on the fielder by taking 2 who then gave a weak throw and so a 3rd was stolen before anyone in South Glam realised what was happening.

With a steep run rate, though, we had to go for the shots and Nick was the first to perish in the cause, bowled for 5 and then Steaders suffered the most unfortunate of dismissals (on a par with being run out backing up when the ball is deflected on to the stumps). In attempting to play a ball to leg, it caught his toe, glanced off at an acute angle, only to strike the keeper‟s foot and ricochet at another acute angle and on to the stumps with Steaders out of his ground, just, It goes down as but surely there should be a more equitable way of attributing such a . He made 15 in 12 balls, with one 4. Jimmy was playing well but a mix up with Glenn on a misfield saw Glenn run out for 1, JD perish first ball and Grizz (1), Dave (0), Jason (0) and Simmo (1) all went trying to ensure that we kept up with the rate as 4 wickets fell in as many overs to effectively end the contest. South Glam took all their catches well and we were faced with needing 100 off 10 overs but with only 2 wickets left.

The towel could‟ve been flung in but both Rhidian and Ross played sensibly and ran excellently as Jimmy tried valiantly to pull the game round our way with some judicious hitting and nearly doubled our total before he was last out for our top score of 34 (from just 28 balls with 3 fours.)

South Glam‟s all round strength made them worthy winners in a game played in the best spirit by both teams but the Cavaliers can hold their heads high that they gave their all and performed well on the day. We're no the first team to have struggled against them but never caved in and, with a little more luck going our way (eg. with the Chinese cuts just missing the wickets and mishits not going to the field), it could have been a much closer affair.

Our thanks to John and Chris of Casuals and The Consmen respectively who gave up their evening to umpire the final – their willingness to assist in this way was much appreciated.

Finally, to all the fans who turned up – your support and sportsmanship was excellent and appreciated by everyone; it made the final a great occasion and it will stay in the mind for a long time. Those in attendance were (all Cavaliers unless otherwise shown): Warwick Armstrong, Graeme Brown, Martin Buckle, Richard Davies, Steve Davis, Dan Lewis (Casuals) Derek Lewis, Nigel Moore, Joey Newbury, Glyn Poulsom, Wyn Pritchard, Steve Roake, Richard Saunders (The Consmen), Mark Searle, Jeremy Sparkes, Valerie Sparkes, Suka Sparkes, Chris Stork (Sevenoaks), Jonathan Thomas and Roger Thorney.

South Glam, Shield 9 August. Cavaliers 97/4 (Marchant 25, Steadman jnr 21). South Glam 101/0 (13.5 ovs, Alan 57 no, Sparks 34 no). Lost by 10 wkts

With a week to go before the Willow League Cup final a curious twist of fixture fate saw the Cavaliers up against our fellow finalists, South Glam, in this latest Shield match. On a lovely evening Simmo won the toss and chose to bat. With a strong batting line up, why not set a challenging target for our bowlers to defend? Nick and Steaders jnr opened the innings and made steady progress. The bowling was accurate but both Cavaliers were quick to latch on to the bad ball and most of our early runs came from boundaries[Ed: shades of the England bowling here, then].

Nick was bowled for 18 in the 8th over when the score stood at 48 and Jimmy joined Steaders jnr at the crease. Tight bowling and well placed fields clearly frustrated the batsmen - Steaders jnr holed out to a well taken catch on the deep long off boundary for 21, while Jimmy had to work hard to keep the score ticking along. 70 for 2 soon became 78 for 3 when Jimmy was bowled for 25 and the fourth wicket fell at 84 as a straight full toss clattered into the stumps, removing Glenn for 6. Our final pairing, JD and Richie D, looked to force the pace. Both stayed in until the close of the innings but our total of 97 looked a little light.

One plus point during our innings was the continuing development of Jason Duffy‟s umpiring skills. He‟s clearly been working on his range of signals, all of which are followed by a thumbs-up to the scorers just to show them he‟s in control. His economical “4” is a particular joy but his remains a bit wobbly.

So, to the fielding. While the Cavaliers were waiting for the South Glam batsmen, Rhidian was spotted assuming the press-up position, lowering himself to the turf until his nose touched the grass, before standing up and preparing to bowl. We hope this was some kind of Pope John Paul-type ritual so that Rhidian could be “as one” with the pitch. However, there is a suspicion that he was actually warming up and if this is found to be true he will surely incur the wrath of The Gog QC and many of the older members of the club for bringing such new-fangled techniques onto the field.

Whereas we had found it difficult to pick up the tempo of our innings the South Glam openers were soon scoring freely. Simmo rotated his bowling attack but 46 off 6 soon became 67 off 9 and the batsmen were looking comfortable. We seemed “flat” in the field. There was very little chatter. We weren‟t really encouraging our bowlers. Perhaps we knew that our total was never going to be enough.

We kept at the task but South Glam reached the target with a boundary in the 14th over, both openers unbeaten with Alan on 57 and John Sparks [Ed: no relation, he ain‟t got any „e‟s] on 34. In the Hon Sec‟s recent email advising us of a website update, he invited new match reporters to “take on this exciting and fulfilling role”. Oh dear! If only I‟d had a more exciting and fulfilling match to report on! Put it down to a post-tour hangover, or to having no luck on the day, or facing opponents at the top of their game – let‟s hope that we‟ve got our bad day at the office out of the system before we meet again for the silverware.

Go to the photo gallery section of the website for a link to the match day photos on the web album [Ed: our thanks to Lord Snowdon of Penylan for his efforts, we use the word advisedly, in this respect.]

Haverfordwest, 5 August. Tour match. Cavaliers 101ao (19.5ovs, Adams 40, Marchant 21). H’west 104/3 (16.2ovs, Duffy 2/9, D Parsons 1/16). Lost by 7 wickets

Upon arriving at the main ground of Haverfordwest, it was commented on that the excellent teams at the under 12 tournament currently being played might have what it took to roll-over a tired, hungover and possibly drunk team of Cavaliers. The sight to greet the Cavaliers upon entering the visitors changing rooms did nothing to dispel this feeling, with the facilities fully equipped with disabled additions.

However, upon reaching the ring-fenced oval open to the natural elements of West Wales, the Cavaliers appeared invigorated and ready to rise to the challenge, especially after the toss resulted in the Cavaliers batting, with a comfortable bed of grass provided for some leisurely Sunday afternoon viewing. Adding to the occasion was the introduction of a new trailblazing form of cricket by the Cavaliers, 18:18. Not quite as catchy as 20:20, but at 4 overs shorter, far more action packed!

The Cavaliers opened their batting with the underused opening partnership of, (in the Red corner) Rabbit „The Destroyer‟ Pritchard and (in the blue corner) Ross „Panda‟ Bowen. The destroyer ironically played more defensively than his more docile counterpart, and was unfortunate not to score before being caught and bowled after 5 balls. The Panda provided an attacking start to the innings, with one lofty blow for 4 in his score of 8 (9 balls). Next in was the second bear, the Grizzly Adams, determined not to let the rambling of the previous day show any ill effect. He was shortly joined by his rambling partner Buckle, and together they built a steady partnership, with Buckle falling first for 5 (13 balls).

Grizz was joined at the crease by captain for the day, and prized wicket for the opposition, Jimmy „Moody‟ Marchant. Both both played their shots, with Grizz the first to fall for a well built innings of 40, which included 4x4 and 1x6 at a run-a-ball. Out to join his captain, after being disturbed from his comfortable spectating position of lying down eyes closed, came Jason Duffy. Jason battled for longer than his 3 balls for 2 runs would suggest, before being replaced by equally tired looking Steve „Papa‟ Roake.

Seeing the deteriorating mental and physical state of his younger team-mates coming and going at the other end, Jimmy decided to attack. He timed the ball well and clearly was enjoying himself, so much that he decided to set cricket back 5 years by adding 2 overs to the match to extend his innings and reverting the game to 20:20. However the tactic didn‟t pay off as he was caught after a mistimed shot for a rapid 21 of 21 balls, (including 2x4 and a 6).

Dave Parsons was next in, and after his Boycott anchoring heroics of the last game clearly felt that he had done enough batting for one tour, and was promptly bowled by a straight one for a golden . The Dog Whisperer came next to join the Papa at the crease. Despite the Whisperer‟s rather loud and repeated shouting of no, there was no stopping Papa Roake, who was desperate to add to his total of 2 off 3 balls.

He ran to the non-strikers end (after a misfield gave the opportunity of a single), before retreating too late to his crease and being run out. [Ed: Papa covered 40 yards so it would not be stretching too fine a point to suggest that while the Dog Whisperer‟s cricketing skills would not normally lead us to put him in the same bracket as Sir , his culpability in this incident ranked alongside that of Boycs in running out Derek Randall in the test match at Trent Bridge, at a time so long ago that some of our younger members may not have been weaned, and would require the barristorial services of one with far greater ability than even Rumpole - if one exists - to get him acquitted.]

Huw Parsons (0 off 2 balls), Gog Davis (1 not out, 1 ball) and the Dog Whisperer (10, off 8 balls, 1x4) brought the innings to an end 1 ball short of the extended 20 overs, with the Cavaliers total at a respectable 101 all out. [Ed: apparently the Dog Whisperer had been unsettled by Gog informing him that the lads were doing a wagon wheel for his innings but currently it only had two spokes on it, both backward of square, and it wouldn‟t be much use on a cart, or any other vehicle for that matter.] Huw Parsons (2-0-6-0) and the Panda (2-0-12-0) opened the bowling in controlled style to two talented youngsters from the hosts‟ team [Ed: Dave P pondered aloud whether the age of the batsmen meant that if Huw took a wicket it would only count as a fifth in the averages].

However, the tourists managed to always remain ahead of the run rate, with most bowlers going for a few runs with Grizz (2-0-14-0), Papa Roake (1-0-6-0), Buckle (2-0-21-0) and The Destroyer (2-0-11-0) all without luck. [Ed: Buckle was unlucky to miss out on a wicket when the ball, travelling at pace, ricocheted off his arm, on to his upper chest, then travelled vertically up his chest, over and long the top of his head, back along the right shoulder before eventually falling to ground]. However, Dave Parsons made amends for his golden duck with a good wicket (2-0-16-1), and, after shaking off the worst of a hangover, Jason Duffy bowled accurately to deliver excellent figures of 3-0-9-2.

Despite acquitting themselves respectably with the bat the Cavaliers toiled in the field, with one potential catch helped on its way over the boundary for 6, some unsightly Bruce Grobelaar goal-keeping antics from Grizz in attempting (and succeeding) in stopping a boundary [Ed: those with more of a public school upbringing may have mistaken it for an intriguing variation on the august game of Eton fives], as well as some complaints of tiredness from some of the older Cavaliers such as Papa Roake [Ed: who was chided by the Dog Whisperer for his feeble attempt at a run out only to commit a worse howler himself three balls later.]

The hosts reached their target off Jimmy‟s second ball (0.2-0-8-0), totalling 104 with the loss of three wickets after 16.2 overs.

Haverfordwest, 5 August. Tour match. H’west 42/2 (7ovs, Chapman 2/14). Match abandoned – rain

After a quick turnaround, and some personnel changes, the second game of this tense double header was underway, with the Cavaliers asked to field.

Hutchings, making a substitute appearance following the first game opened the bowling, and was promptly taken off after 1 over (10/0) by the ruthless Marchant, clearly out to avenge the first game defeat. From the other end Jimmy bowled tidily for his 3 overs (18/0). However, the damage was done at the other end, by Chapman (3-0-14-2) (another substitute from the first game) [Ed: well, after all his howlers, perhaps fitting in other circumstances for a dog whisperer, he was demoted in favour of Glenn as the skipper sought a cutting edge]. First he took a caught and bowled, and then having Jimmy‟s team mate caught, by Jimmy, something that will surely be talked about in next week‟s game at Haverfordwest.

Shortly after this wicket the rain came, and the match was abandoned, with Haverfordwest on 42/2. After some improvised washing and possibly some burning in the shower in the name of cleanliness, many of the Cavaliers retired to the dry of the club bar, and enjoyed the hospitality of our hosts and the climax of a successful tour.

[Ed: our thanks to Havefordwest for a warm welcome and games played in a great spirit, and to Jimmy for making the arrangements for this leg of the tour.]

Ynystawe, 3 August. Tour. Ynystawe 266/4 declared (D Parsons 2/18, Chapman 1/20). Cavaliers 200/9 (43ovs, D Parsons 70, Chapman 45). Match drawn

Tour had arrived and our first game was on route to Haverfordwest at Ynystawe in the Swansea Valley. Everybody arrived bright and early and waited in anticipation on the selection (everybody apart from Grizz who had to turn around at Pencoed as he forgot his Good Beer Guide 1985!!, apparently essential for tour).

Team selected and Simmo won the toss (finally) after discussions with a select few, he chose to put our hosts into bat on a wicket that was at best a little green! in a time game.

Simmo elected Duffy and Bowen to open the bowling. Duffy started well with his first ball then the batsman seemed to read his action so he decided to vary his length. (Short to shorter!) He finished with figures of 4-0- 41-0. Simmo opened the other end with Bowen (5-0-36-1) running up the hill and into the wind. With the short leg-side boundary to defend Ross did well to dismiss the opener who was done by a little bit of extra bounce. He cut the ball to a juggling Dave Parsons who, on the 5th attempt, settled the ball in his palms.

The skipper then looked to the big guys Chapman and Davies. Chapman bowled a disciplined line and length and deserved his wicket caught by his good mate Duffy. Chapman continued and finished up with respectable figures of 4-0-20-1.

For JD it was a different story. Bowling up the hill and into the wind he struggled to find a good length and not helped by some questionable fielding finished up with figures of 4-0-44-0 much to Duffy's delight.

Needing to capitalise on Chapman‟s breakthrough, Simmo brought himself on alongside Dave Parsons. Simmo (3-0-24-0) tied down the one end while Parsons (5-1-18-2) put paid to Ynystawe's middle order. Firstly, forcing the batsmen into a mistimed cut towards Chapman who took a solid catch. Parsons second wicket came when he beat the batsmen with turn and the Gog padded/gloved the ball to take off the stumps [Ed: in the meantime Panda, perhaps with due regard to the limits of his Bupa cover, decided that discretion was the better part of cosmetic surgery and misjudged his dash for a skier that might otherwise have slipped through his hands and landed on the nose again.]

With time running out Simmo looked to slow our hosts‟ run rate down. After informing Air traffic control he brought on the Cavaliers‟ legend Brown. He was unfortunate that, after a few retirements, Ynystawe brought on their 1st Team opening Batsman who also opens for Wales minor counties. Brown (2-0-32-0) bowled a good line and length but was picked off with two superb reverse sweeps and one off drive all for 6. The latter nearly killing an elderly man who was watching! (No, not Rabbit aka Rocky). Huw Parsons (3-0-20-0) and Papa Roake (3-0-27-0) bowled the final overs and Ynystawe finished their timed innings with a massive 266/5 declared (33 overs).

Set 267 to win Hutchings and Boycott, sorry D Parsons, strode out to the wicket to open the innings. Hutchings knowing that time at the crease was needed started very cautiously. After a steady start Nick finally fell for 13 (17 balls), caught off the bowling of his boss. Read into that what you think, but my money is on Nick getting a pay rise soon!

Next in was the imposing figure of Chapman. With Boycott, sorry D Parsons, holding the one end up Chapman decided to take on the Ynystawe attack, scoring an impressive 45 of 53 balls including 9 fours putting on a partnership of 75 with Boycott, sorry D Parsons.

[Ed: at the halfway stage a drink was sent to the middle with instructions from the captain, “Great foundations, now time to press on and give it a go”. The start of Dave‟s response is unrepeatable in polite circles but the rest of it was something like “*******, I‟m enjoying myself!”]

Next to the crease was Davies. JD after having a net before his innings felt in good form and was relishing facing his first ball, however this was not to be the case. Boycott, sorry D Parsons, played a ball straight to mid on. He called the run, JD suffering from a massive turbo lag failed to make the ground and was run out without facing. He strode off back from where he had come with a long face, although he did get to see the 4:30 at Kempton! [Ed: some thought the distance was a short head while others suggested a steward's inquiry but we shall leave further equine similies there.]

Next to partner our anchor man was S Roake. Boycott, sorry D Parsons, now took the lead and upped his run rate. Roake finally fell for 8 (7 balls) but he backed Parsons up in a 4th Wicket partnership that brought 33 runs.

Dave finally fell for a magnificent 70 off 116 balls, he batted for 2hrs 10 minutes and was only 2 balls short of carrying his bat through the innings [Ed: there was some consternation at square leg where Hon Sec attempted to consult the umpiring Gog at the bowler‟s end concerning the legitimacy of the delivery, it having appeared to be above the waist, hence should be called a no-ball and so Dave should stay at the wicket. However, he was given short shrift by Gog and, to add insult to injury, was fined for his temerity after the game.]

There were also telling contributions with the bat from S Davis 4 (1x4) 5 balls, Duffy 8 (2x4) 7 balls, Simpson 8 (1x4) 16 balls, Bowen 2 (11 balls), Brown 6 not out (6 balls) and H Parsons 4 not out (2 balls) [Ed: Huw deciding that attack was the best form of defence, punch drove his first ball to the long on boundary and, despite the cluster of close in fielders, only just vfailed to repeat the feat with his second, and our innings' final, ball] and so the Cavaliers held on for a well earned draw.

Man of the Match: Dave Parsons. [Ed: Ynystawe proved very hospitable, using the time game and switch round of their batting and bowling to ensure that an obvious discrepancy in class didn‟t ruin a tour friendly. The tea was excellent and they joined in the judicial proceedings in the bar afterwards with a good sense of fun. Our thanks to them and to Nick for organising the fixture.]

Sevenoaks, Shield 31 July. Cavaliers 144/5 (Steadman jnr 52, Marchant 47). Sevenoaks 70 all out (13.3ovs, Marchant 2/2, J Davies 2/8). Won by 74 runs. Cavaliers 2pts, Sevenoaks 0pts

The first ever Shield match for the Cavaliers and it was great to see several supporters during the course of the game. At last, a beautiful evening. Alas, Sevenoaks had been hit by holidays and night shifts and had only 9 on the field, later reduced to just 8 batsman as one player hurt his shoulder attempting what would have been a spectacular catch.

Simmo won the toss and opted to bat, almost immediately wondering if he‟d the right thing when Glen was bowled by a beautiful, pacey delivery that cut back and just flicked the off bail. The same bowler appeared to trouble Steaders at times too so Steaders and Jimmy set about building the innings with sensible cricket that firstly eschewed risk. Later, as they built momentum, they turned on the gas and the style, running eagerly between the wickets and both playing some delightful shots all round the wicket. On one occasion, the two were side by side as Jimmy thought the ball would reach the ropes and Steaders kept on running. Fortunately the scorers, Waz and Steve Roake, had been keeping a keen eye on proceedings and scored the correct number of runs.

They added 109 for the 2nd wicket in just 12 overs, before Jimmy was bowled trying to pull a ball that kept a little low. He‟d tried it a bit earlier and, chastising himself, caused the ripple of “moody, moody, moody” to echo among the crowd. Our support, as mentioned, was great and particular thanks go to Waz, Gog and Jez who all turned up as reserves in case anyone should be delayed or injured; especial thanks to Waz who kept an immaculate scorebook throughout both innings.

Jimmy made 47 off just 34 balls, including 1 six and 3 fours. Steaders followed him in the same over, perishing in similar fashion. He‟d made 52 off 40 balls with 3 fours and 2 sixes. JD kept things moving along with 17 not out, although the old timers in the crowd reckoned that a few 2s were missed out on as, with wickets in hand in the closing overs, fielders could‟ve been taken on.

We closed on 144/5 which didn‟t feel particularly high as several teams have scored more at the School this year, including Sevenoaks on their last visit here when they slayed us in the League. There were exceptionally good bowling figures from Brian Condon who took 2/6 off 3 overs and Mike Williams who had 1/10 off 3.

Ross and Rhidian started off in excellent fashion, bowling tightly to well placed fields and, knowing that they had only 7 wickets in effect, meant that Sevenoaks couldn‟t afford to take risks early on. When Glenn was introduced for the 5th over, he made the breakthrough and Ross followed this up with a maiden to leave them 23/1 with a third of their overs gone and a mountainous run rate that was now in excess of 10 an over.

Steady inroads were made as Simmo switched his bowlers around to great effect. Grizz finished with 2/17 courtesy of two very different but equally impressive catches. The first was the captain leading by example, running back from a very short mid-off and taking the ball arms stretched out fully with the ball coming blind to him over his head. This disposed of their opener and top scorer, Mike Williams, for 25.

The second catch was a superb take by Steve Roake making excellent ground from mid-wicket and, sun in his eyes, sliding in but holding on to the ball as he over balanced. As has been the case on many occasions this summer Steve‟s fielding in the deep has been of an exceptionally high standard and has saved countless runs.

Jimmy‟s only over put paid to any hope Sevenoaks may have harboured of a late order flourish, firstly bowling their skipper Chris Stork for a golden duck with a wicked delivery that kept low, a horrible ball to receive first up. Then he repeated it 4 balls later to claim 2/2.

JD wrapped up the innings, one bowled and one LBW, taking 2/8 and we ended up winning our first ever Shield game by 74 runs to set us in good heart heading into the tour weekend.

Welsh Water, 24 July. Cavaliers 114/7 (Dafydd 28, Newbury 27, Steadman jnr 27no); Welsh Water 115/4 (17.2ovs, M Thomas 53 ret, H Parsons 3/9, Strawson 1/4). ‘Technical’ loss by 6 wickets

This is what social cricket is all about – a beautiful sunny evening, 22 eager and willing men, a mix of ages, abilities and attire, and a fun atmosphere. There was even one who took to the field in white braces to match his flannels and shirt, it having been a number of years apparently since he‟d last been summoned into cricketing action. [Ed: thankfully the Cavaliers had rallied to Hon Sec‟s lunchtime plea for extra players as WW had thought they‟d have to cry off with only 6 being available on the day. As so much cricket had been lost to rain, Hon Sec was desperate to get the guys a game and so it was 15 Cavaliers who played.]

Jez was captain for the day as Simmo and Jimmy opted to forego the fixture to allow more places for others to get a game and he decided to stick with the 11 originally selected to carry the Cavaliers colours but this meant that WW was supplemented by some of our younger leading lights this year as JD, Ross, Matt and Dave P all guested for them. [Ed: it was probably a bit of a mismatch as, pound for pound, when you try and put Rabbit up against JD.]

He lost the toss and we were put in to bat. Apparently, Jez claims that the batting line up was in accordance with some selectorial policy and discussions but there was some amazement – and, it must be said, pleasure – when the likes of Joey and Rhidian found themselves in the top 3, with Vince adding some firepower at the top of the order. [Ed: Hon Sec says the selectors‟ aim was to give some of the bowlers a go up the order so that if they found themselves having to bat at a crucial stage in a Shield/Cup game then they‟d had the chance of a proper knock and so would feel more confident about it.]

Whether this will pay dividends for the Club, only time will tell, but certainly both Joey and Rhidian set out strong claims to be considered genuine all rounders. After the early loss of Vince for 3 when he mistimed an off drive that should‟ve sailed to the long off boundary and instead picked out the man at mid-off [Ed: with all the tales of leaky pipes, who‟d have thought that Welsh water could‟ve held on to a catch] 41 was added for the 2nd wicket in just 4 overs as Joey hit 27 off 21 balls including 2 fours and a six, and Rhidian a stylish 28 (4 fours) that was an innings of authentic cricket shots and mixed sound defence with some lovely drives.

George was the victim of a most despicable piece of cricket one could ever see in this sort of amicable fixture – JD getting him caught and bowled off his first ball, as if JD needed the wicket [Ed: and it doesn‟t count in the Cavaliers stats anyway.] It didn't help that JD then tried to be all apologetic and would've been much better off just giving the batsman a gesture to point out the location of the dressing room or some sledging comment.

Enter the immediate former ex Chair in the form of Mr Poulsom who decided that he‟d try and keep pace with Steaders and was run out for his efforts for 10. Brownie, after handing the umpire his false teeth for safe keeping, tried to do likewise and perished in the same way for 4. Huw thought he‟d manage it but was also run out off the last ball for 3, attempting a Caesar [Ed: not moving an inch after he‟s played the shot and looking surprised when his partner joins him at the crease.]

We closed on 114 for 7 with Steaders finishing on 27 not out from 17 balls including 3 fours. Given the firepower we had loaned them it was probably going to be hard, but not impossible, to defend and it would be interesting to see how Cap‟n Sparky approached it as he‟d, perhaps somewhat foolishly with himself and Rabbit in the side, agreed with his opposite number that everyone had to bowl.

He opened conventionally [Ed: is this first recorded instance of Hon Sec ever being conventional ...] with Rhidian and Huw. The latter was on fire, tempting WW‟s captain into an attempted lofted drive only to pick out Glyn, carefully stationed by our astute [Ed: astute??] captain at mid-on, with his first delivery and clean bowling the incoming man with the next ball. The hat trick ball was survived by Matt Thomas and a single nicked to bring JD down to face his first ball from Huw. It was an absolute cracker of a delivery, beating the well executed forward defensive shot that was perhaps a tad late for the extra pace Huw generated when seeking to appease the treatment JD had meted out to George, and literally ripped leg stump out from the ground.

At 6 for 3, the Cavaliers may have sensed that the game was going their way but Jez knew he had to fiddle in the occasional overs somewhere as well as, again following selectorial orders, giving Steaders a bowl. He opted for a daring strategy [Ed: that‟s an interesting way of describing it] as Steaders struggled to find his radar, keeping Sean Taylor, in his first appearance of the season after his nuptials, busy behind the stumps. Some excellent deliveries were mixed up with, well, some not so excellent ones.

George got his first bowl for the Cavaliers and returned very respectable figures, conceding just the one boundary, a brace of singles and a wide from his over. Vince bowled brilliantly, giving away just 2 singles in first over and getting a wicket in his second to finish with 1/4.

Sadly, the oft worn cricket phrases are just that because they reflect the truth of this sporting contest, and so it came to pass that "catches win matches". A certain fielder moaned that he'd been set too far back to attempt a catch a few balls earlier was sent back by the Captain to the original position given to him at a deep mid-on position. When Bishen Brown bowled to his field, the said fielder then dropped a relatively easy looking chance offered by the ever dangerous Matt Thomas and this was, probably, the difference in the game as Matt eventually went on to retire having reached his 50 with 4 fours and a six. As no later WW batsman was able to hit the ball as well or as hard, it was a costly drop. [Ed: since this report was first uploaded concern has been expressed about this paragraph and so we would like to make it clear that it was not intended to cause any offence and have no hesitation in apologising if it has done so. The aim of the match reports is to try to give a flavour of the game for those who weren't there, to celebrate good individual and club performances, to share the fun and reflect, when it happens, on the game's ironies and it was felt that this incident was one of those occasions. The web is perhaps not always the easiest medium when working with irony and if this, together with the choice of words, has caused any upset then it is regrettable and will be a learning point.]

We got no more sniff of wickets despite several encouraging LBW appeals from the captain at cover point [Ed: an excellent vantage point for such things] and some good rehab for JD, back on the field as an umpire.

Sean came out from behind the stumps for a bowl and, when he pitched it on the wicket, caused problems for the batsman which bodes well for the future when he gets some overs under his belt and has confidence in his length. Joey also bowled well, conceding just 9 from his 2 overs and the Rabbit acquitted himself well too.

It fell to Jez to bowl the last over with just 4 needed. Despite a carefully placed ring of fielders to save the singles, the WW batsman managed to find the gaps and the match was theirs with a few balls to spare.

Everyone was glad just to have got to play and WW were very happy that they‟d not actually cried off and were very hospitable and good fun down at the Butchers afterwards.

[Ed: thanks to all the Cavaliers who turned out at short notice otherwise we would‟ve lost the opportunity for a game in a rare bit of sunshine.]

Casuals, 16 July, Willow League Cup semi-final. Casuals 110/7 (Dafydd 3/11, Adams 1/3, R Davies 1/11, Simpson 1/11, Marchant 1/13). Cavaliers 113/1 (14.3 ovs, Steadman jnr 41 rtd, Hutchings 32, Chapman 17no). Cavaliers won by 9 wickets and progress to the final

Venue: Llandaff Fields

Weather …Wet!!

[Ed: some quick and inventive thinking from Hon Sec‟s opposite number at Casuals had switched the venue to the artificial strip at Llandaff Fields as Wenvoe was, like every other pitch that day, under water.]

5.30 pm the heavens opened and it looked like the ongoing saga of postponements was to continue. It did not look good and it was obvious amongst the players that they wanted to just get the game out of way. Simmo, Jimmy and others were quite content to settle the game by a bowl off [Ed: Hon Sec was, as one might expect from a polished diplomat, making the correct noises to both Cavaliers and Casuals skippers and their entourages, suggesting that a pitch inspection should at least be undertaken and that he had provisionally booked the Cathedral School for next week should that be required].

The Casuals were quite keen to play the game judging by the way that they unloaded the kit bags from their cars, understandable as they had won the League and were unbeaten. Simmo and Jimmy strolled over to inspect the artificial wicket and came back to announce that the game was ON … shock horror amongst the players … were we hearing things? No ….the game was on; quite unbelievable!

Simmo had lost the toss and the Casuals elected to bat first, something that they may have regretted after Rhidian‟s first over which resulted in 3 wickets falling to some superb bowling [Ed: all clean bowled on a strip that was true, if a little squidgy, so high class indeed]. Duffers was unlucky not to add to his haul for the season and in difficult conditions bowled 2 overs for just 6 runs, an excellent effort. The rain re-appeared and the Casuals looked to step up the run rate just in case the Duckworth-Lewis method came into play. The wickets continued to fall with a maiden wicket in Cavaliers‟ colours for Richard Davies, a superb full toss which should have been dispatched into Western Avenue but ended up hitting off stump.

Smith for the Casuals provided some resistance with a good innings of 44 though if it wasn‟t for Steader‟s honesty he might have departed the scene a lot earlier before a cry from the Hon Sec, trying to shelter the scorebook from the worst of the storm by hiding under a tree, “Batsmen retire”. A sharp chance saw Steaders sliding in from the boundary to take a low catch only to say that he caught it on the bounce … didn‟t look like it from where I was standing but a great piece of fielding and, as typifies a true Cavalier, nothing but honesty from the fielder.

Hood chipped in with 22 not out for the Casuals as they reached a very achievable target of 110 for 7 from their allotted 18 overs. Grizz, Simmo and Jimmy chipped in with the other wickets [Ed: Grizz had remarkable figures of 12 balls, 1 wicket and just 3 singles, applying the tourniquet just when Casuals were looking to be aggressive and, had there been a 3rd umpire, might well have had further victims]. This can be put down to a fine display in the field and from Nick behind the stumps as most of the Casuals innings was bowled in the rain, the total of just 9 extras was even more remarkable. [Ed: there was a fine catch by Jason at long off who had the rain in his face for a long time while waiting for the ball to come down, and a very smart stumping by Nick off Jimmy which needed no 3rd umpire as the batsman continued his wander down the track to head back to the boundary without even a backward glance].

In bright sunshine, a rarity this summer, the opening duo of Hutchings and Steadman set about the target at a great rate punishing the bad ball, running the singles and never allowing the Casuals to settle in the field. [Ed: a curious tactical decision by Casuals to hold back their main strike bowlers in the hope they could „fiddle‟ a few overs from part-timers before the batsmen settled went horribly wrong when 35 was posted off the opening 4 overs].

This great start put us so far ahead of the run rate that we could afford to see off the bowling of Hood and Lewis [Ed: who conceded just 13 runs off their 4 overs] before restarting the onslaught. Steadman hit 3 fours and 2 sixes in a chanceless innings of 41 before retiring. His partner in crime Hutchings departed for a fine 32 off just 21 balls with 3 fours and 1 six before a leading edge off Stephens led to his dismissal.

The foundations had been set enabling Jimmy and Glenn to complete the chase with the latter hitting two fours and a six in his 17 not out … the final shot clearing the ropes to finish the game which saw scenes of jubilation from the players and supporters as our place in the final was secured. The celebrations were carried on in the Halfway after the game. It might have taken four attempts to get the game to be played but after the frustrations of a wet summer and many postponements but in the end it has been well worth it.

[Ed: with the other semi final having fallen victim to the rain, we are still waiting to hear who our opponents will be, and sorting out the venue and date for the final.]

Rhiwbina. 27 June. Willow League. Rhiwbina 144/6 (J Davies 2/13, Duffy 2/33); Cavaliers 115/6 (Steadman jnr 29, J Davies 21). Lost by 29 runs. Cavaliers 1 pt, Rhiwbina 14 pts

With steady rain pouring over Llanrhymni, it looked unlikely any play would take place. Fortunately, Derek Brockway‟s weather predictions came true and the game in the end was played under glorious sunshine. Having discussed at length whether we should field or bat first, Simmo lost the toss and the Cavaliers were asked to field.

Bowen and Dafydd opened the bowling and the first wicket fell in Dafydd‟s first over. It turned out to be a wicket maiden, however it was his worst ball which took the wicket, a loose full toss caught by Richard Davies [Ed: good to see Radar restored to full working capacity after his recuperative holiday].

Marchant and JD took over the bowling duties which proved to be a successful partnership. Marchant picked up his wicket bowling straight and trapping his man leg before and he ended with very economical figures: 4-0- 14-1. JD, “the one hip wonder”, bowled a disciplined line and picked up two wickets. The first was a good catch by Dafydd running in from the boundary and the other clean bowling Carter for 4. JD ended with our best figures of 4-0-13-2 and Rhiwbina were ominously placed at a mere 41 runs with only 9 overs left in the innings.

Newbury and Duffy bowled next but found the going tough to start with. A special mention should be made however to Rhiwbina‟s top scorer, Morgan, who batted well and reached 56 not out. After a few wides by Duffy he showed great character to dismiss another of their dangerous batsmen for 29. He quickly picked up his second wicket and ended up with very commendable figures: 3-0-33-2. An over each from Strawson and Armstrong wrapped up the innings and the Cavaliers were left facing a total of 144.

One couldn‟t help but feel frustrated however by gifting Rhiwbina 23 runs in extras [Ed: it must also have been difficult to keep tabs on things as the erstwhile Mr Duffy, on failing to find batteries for his desk calculator, had clearly decided to cannibalise our scoreboard to aid his mortgage repayment reckonings and had left in his office.]

With just over 7 runs an over required, Steadman and Armstrong started well picking up runs at every given opportunity. As ever, Steadman was running like a whippet [Ed: strange how he could manage it without a Rabbit there …] and Armstrong was pushing the ball nicely into the gaps. But with boundaries hard to come by, the pressure tolled and, after pushing for a run that wasn‟t really there, Armstrong was run out for 12.

Having seen out Rhiwbina‟s competent opening bowlers Richard Davies and Steadman looked to pick up the run rate. Rhiwbina‟s bowling attack was relentless, however. Crowter dismissed Davies for 7 and Steadman was caught off his bowling for 29 – our top scorer. With only one functioning hip JD was next up to bat. He called upon the sprinting services of Dafydd to aid him but Dafydd was mainly a spectator watching JD hit a series of 4s and a beautiful 6. A nice partnership developed between JD and Newbury with Newbury constantly keeping the scoreboard ticking over. JD was beaten in the end by a slower ball and was bowled for 21 [Ed: how hip is that, we wonder ...]

Newbury stayed at the crease and proved to be our batting backbone which allowed Duffy to open up. Newbury and Duffy finished unbeaten on 16 and 11 respectively. The late flurry of runs towards the end of the innings helped the Cavaliers gain a crucial bonus point.

Any disappointment after suffering another league defeat soon evaporated as there was a vast improvement in our fielding performance with Marchant and Strawson fielding particularly well. In addition, Steve „Gog‟ Davis, our absent 12th man [Ed: he had been granted dispensation, despite his earlier declaration of “I am always available”, to fulfil parental duties that had not been foreseen when team selection was made] will be pleased to hear that the game was played in very good spirit.

Tiger Moths. 23 June. Cavaliers 110/9 (Poulsom 20no, Simpson 19). Tiger Moths 115/3 (20.3ovs, Simpson 2/34). Lost by 7 wickets

Despite heavy overnight rain, and showers in the morning leading up to this game, we were able to 'press ahead' with a start on time as the skies cleared. The 'original' pitch that we booked [Ed: see comments later] was, though, in a quite appalling state, but thanks to Glyn's quick thinking, we were able to 'steal' an 'alternative' nearby pitch, which although not prepared or marked, would at least do better justice to our guests and good friends from Tigermoths [Ed: the email booking confirmation from the Council showed that, in fact, the pitch the game was actually played on was the one that we had booked and should, therefore, have been properly cut and marked for our use so quite why Parks had done another, inferior one is anybody's guess.]

Because of the uncertain weather, and Tigermoths' plans to return to their base in Crickhowell in time for their annual tour dinner early that evening, the game was reduced to 30 overs per side. Normal service was resumed at the toss, and Simmo opted to bat first. Waz and Jase were given the honour of opening on what was an underprepared 'pudding' of a pitch, but after hitting a beautifully straight driven early boundary, Jase was bowled by a 'jaffa' from Tigermoths' Owen. JT was well caught in the covers shortly afterwards, and then Waz and Simmo briefly threatened to build a significant partnership. However, Waz then somehow skied, and was well caught off, a full toss that he would normally have expected to hit into Cathedral Road. His dismissal is a symptom of a frustrating period for our record run scorer, who has got 'starts' in all his innings so far this season, only to fail to convert them to bigger scores.

Stevie Roake then helped Simmo take the score past 50 before he was bowled in bizarre fashion by White, the ball 'sitting' into the soaking wet pitch and then lobbing over Stevie's immaculate forward defensive stroke before 'coming down' just in time to clip the top of the bails. Simmo (for a useful 19), and then Joey, then fell to good catches in the Tigermoths' outfield, before the Gog and Glyn rebuilt the innings with sensible placing of the ball to pinch numerous singles. The Gog (lbw), and then, shortly afterwards Rhidian (bowled) fell to Campbell, who got just rewards for 'stump to stump' bowling, before there was a brief, but highly entertaining, partnership between Glyn and Browny, including an inventive and productive reverse sweep from the latter [Ed: described by the batsman himself as "entertaining" though whether that was the intention or simply the manner in which it was performed is open to conjecture].

However, in the chase for quick runs late in the innings, Browny found himself running on those parts of the square that were underwater, looking for a second run (or so it appeared from the boundary, such was how his running looked), and was run out by the proverbial 'country mile'. Further brief entertainment from Rabbit, and Glyn, who looked in fine form and top scored with a well constructed 20 not out, took us through to 110-9 at the close of the innings. Whilst 110 might not 'sound' a lot, it was, nonetheless, a useful working total on a difficult pitch. It was also pleasing that everybody scored runs, and that we used up our allotted overs. The Tigermoths' bowling could perhaps best be described as 'wily', gentle but straight bowling and letting the pitch do the work.

Tigermoths started cautiously against a hostile first over from Rhiddian before their left hander Green took a liking to Stevie Roake, taking 18 off his first over, thanks to effective straight hitting for a series of boundaries. After Jase came on at Stevie's end, Tigermoths' run rate steadied to about four runs per over, but there was no real sign of a breakthrough before a excellent throw by Simmo from the deep brought about a run out with the score on 34.

After that, Green and Robinson then built a significant partnership with a combination of good running and selective big hitting. Despite Simmo's numerous bowling changes, and some very respectable bowling from Rhidian, Jase and Joey, Cavaliers found it difficult to stem the flow of runs. However, Cavaliers took two late wickets as just rewards for determined efforts, Simmo clean bowling Green and having Robinson well caught by Glyn, but not before both had passed 40.

Tigermoths finished things off and reached their target in the 21st over with some impressive hitting from Chapman in what by now was warm late afternoon sunshine. Despite the defeat, Cavaliers took some good 'positives' from the game, in particular Rhidian's hostile and accurate bowling, going for only 10 runs from his five overs, Joey, who only conceded 18 from his five, and Glyn and Simmo being in the runs.

Afterwards, we 'retired' to the Halfway, where we were treated to a fine buffet and, after we wished the Tigermoths' farewell, we took an opportunity to try our hand on the skittle alley. Joey showed that he had lost none of his 'underarm' skills, honed in yesteryear in the baseball arena, by 'cleaning up' on the money roll!

Sevenoaks. 20 June. Willow League. Sevenoaks 158/2 (Bowen 1/10, Marchant 1/13); Cavaliers 82 (19.2 ovs, Newbury 20no, Duffy 11). Lost by 76 runs. Cavaliers 0 pts, Sevenoaks 15 pts

Following a terrible period of weather it was pleasant surprise to find a narrow window of opportunity to get an evening of cricket in [Ed: although the arrival of 12th man Dafydd swinging his immaculately furled black City- style brolly in a dapper way suggested that there was at least one present who reckoned the elements might have the last word]. The Cavaliers arrived at Cathedral School in good form with confidence high.

Given the damp pitch together with the match falling on one of the longest days of the year, the standard „bat first‟ decision wasn‟t necessarily the obvious option. Fortunately Simpson was saved from making the call, with Sevenoaks winning the toss and electing to bat.

A new ball was tossed to JD first up from the pavilion end, with the skipper himself choosing to open up at the other end. Despite the bowler friendly conditions, the batsmen soon settled in with an early breakthrough evading the Cavaliers. JD completed his spell (4-0-25-0), but Simpson struggled with his line and length and some aggressive batting led to him taking some tap and persuaded him to try something different (2-0-25-0).

Dave Parsons was next up and once he found his length, began creating chances against the now settled batsmen, but the ball managed to just miss the fielders – whether the catches would have been taken is another matter. The standard of our fielding was awful – it made the West Indies look good at times. It was that bad. Honourable exceptions should be made to Matt Thomas who excelled sweeping the cover/mid wicket boundary and President Joey Newbury showing agility to shame his younger team mates [Ed: and Steve Roake covering the lengthy boundary opposite Matt].

The Sevenoaks batsmen continued to build a formidable total with comfort, despite offering the odd catch (dropped of course). However, the „blue nun moment‟ (as opposed to the champagne variety) occurred when a Cavalier (who shall remain nameless) decided to play the matador to the ball‟s role as the bull. As the bull charged along the pitch directly towards the said fielder‟s ankles, the matador produced a flamboyant swish of the cape combined with a lightning quick side step, ensuring the bull charged passed by him towards the crowded bull ring grand stand. Ole!

Keeper Steadman hopped around for a while after taking a bottom edge on his toe. Now Cavaliers of longstanding know why Perry used to wear industrial standard steel-toecapped brown boots to keep ...

The Cavaliers attack continued to toil without success (Duffy 4-0-33-0, Newbury 4-0-25-0) until Simpson turned to Bowen (2-0-10-1) and Marchant (2-0-13-1) to bowl the last 4 overs. It wasn‟t until Bowen‟s first over that the opening partnership was broken with Elliot (74) dismissed by a fully pitched ball which moved from leg and hit middle and off following helpful intervention by the pitch and possibly the batman's pads [Ed: we are pleased that our match reporter's are able to offer a completely objective and unjaundiced view of proceedings ...] The breakthrough came after 17.2 overs with 144 runs on the board.

The real controversy however came at the other end. Marchant firstly served up a generous portion of plumb pudding to the Sevenoaks batsman with a ball which pitched on middle, and was going on to hit er…middle about 6 inches up. Sadly the umpire begged to differ and remained unmoved. Let me guess “going down leg” © of far too many and seemingly growing numbers of opposing umpires [Ed: even the waiting Sevenoaks batsmen with the throng of Cavalier supporters reckoned that it looked it mighty close and the batsman was very fortunate to still be out there.]

A few balls later, justice was done. Or so we thought. Jimmy delivered a great leg spinner which clattered into the edge of something very wooden, something very wooden indeed, and into Steadman‟s gloves. The edge was echoing around the Cathedral grounds for several minutes, but to the Cavaliers amazement, the umpire again remained unmoved (somebody nudge him to make sure he‟s OK) and the batsman decided not to walk. We pondered what possibly could have caused the apparent the apparent auditory hallucination of bat on ball to the entire Cavaliers team. We surmised that it could possibly be a) the ball hit the bat; b) the batsman was wearing wooden pads and it hit those; or c) the batsman was actually Pinocchio and it clipped his wooden arm.

However, the controversy whilst ensuring the innings ended on a sour note should not hide the fact that the Sevenoaks batsman totally outplayed us, with average bowling and diabolical fielding combining to set an imposing 158 for 2 wickets. It was certainly the worst performance in the field in the Willow League this season [Ed: among the wizened heads and gnarled hands of the old guard watching it was probably felt to be the worst performance for some years given the youthfulness, zest and agility normally displayed by the lads out there.]

The summary of the Cavaliers innings will be much shorter for obvious reasons. Our top order, which has been in such excellent form lately, had an off day. Steadman fell for 1, to a superb diving catch from the wicket keeper. Steaders, as is his want [Ed: perhaps it is the barrister in him that cannot resist the parry-and-thrust of the courtroom encounter ...] , unwisely decided to ask the bowler (who was the Sevenoaks batsman not to have walked) why the rules on edging to the keeper were different in this innings, and so the tone was set …

Marchant and JD both departed for ducks. Dave Parsons showed resilience until unluckily inside edging a full delivery onto his stumps for 8. The excellent opening spell from Williams (3-0-14-4) and Jones (4-0-9-1) effectively ended the contest. Williams in particular deserves praise for fiery and accurate midweek league bowling – fast, straight and full [Ed: a textbook example of how to bowl on a pitch that generally favours the batsman.]

The middle order fell much the same way, Duffy earning the second highest score of 11. Steve Roake clearly became bored with proceedings, holing out to backward point immediately after sportingly being called back by the opposition after a bump-ball catch. Newbury revelled in the opportunity down the order to hit an excellent 20 not out, batting with Bowen (8) and Huw Parsons (5) who enjoyed the rare mid-week batting opportunity [Ed; suspicions that we might be realising the game was up were reinforced when Trigger Thomas set off to collect the boundary markers even before the last man had reached the crease.] The innings ended in the last over, with the Cavaliers all out for 82.

The Cavaliers present may like to reflect on some of the actions and comments made after the non-dismissal of the Sevenoaks batsmen. Whilst frustrations may get the better of us all at times, we didn‟t do ourselves any favours. Sevenoaks were well on top before the non-dismissals, and they had little if any impact on the outcome. Our attentions should be turned to how we can improve our personal and collective performances. Fortunately handshakes all round at the end ensured the teams departed on friendly terms [Ed: at least neither incident in Sevenoaks innings was crucial to the outcome of the game and so meant that friendly relations were restored at the end and both captains spoke to their respective players about the need for integrity and to respect umpiring decisions which is, sadly, becoming a recurrent theme this season and the Club would reinforce the man-on-the-pitch's suggestion to reflect and gain wisdom from it.]

Credit to Sevenoaks, they thoroughly deserved their win, and the Cavaliers must hope that the poor performance was a blip, and work hard to ensure a quick return to form.

The Consmen, 14 June. Willow League. Consmen 82/6 (Chapman 2/12); Cavaliers 83/3 (12.4 ovs, Marchant 34no, Adams 16no). Won by 7 wickets. Cavaliers 13 pts, Consmen 2 pts

The Consmen, perhaps unwisely, decided to bat on an inferior pitch. With Nick Hutchings absent through illness, the gloves were given to Andrew Steadman who, fortunately for The Consmen batsmen, had equal difficulty taking the catches offered to him as our opponents had ease in presenting him with opportunities. Notwithstanding, no Consmen batsman was able to impose himself on The Cavaliers bowlers. Rhidian Dafydd and JD were entrusted with “the new ball” (it was, in fact, an old ball) and did not disappoint, bowling accurately and asking questions of The Consmen‟s batting. They took a wicket apiece, although Dafydd was unlucky not to have snared a couple more batsmen.

The bowling of Nigel Adams and Glen Chapman was such that The Consmen continued to lose wickets whilst failing to increase the scoring rate. Adams bowled with subtle variation of speed and flight of delivery, whilst Chapman bowled with great control and a measure of hostility, returning figures of 4 overs, 2 wickets for 12 runs. It was left to Jason Duffy and Ross Bowen to bowl the final 4 overs of the innings. Duffy relished pitching the ball just short of a length on the untame wicket, but had the misfortune of bowling to a Consman batsman whose only shot appeared to be the pull. Bowen bowled the final over and was able to prevent any siginificant acceleration in the run rate.

The Cavaliers bowling attack was so strong that Captain Simpson felt no need to call on himself to bowl, as he was happy to witness the achievements of his fellow-bowlers, whilst providing encouragement and support. The Consmen, by contrast, had to reflect on their inability to raise the scoring rate to a level that would compete with our batting line-up. Their run rate never exceeded much above 4 runs per over. Their highest partnership was just 18 for the first wicket. They finished on 82 for 6 from their full 20 overs.

[Ed: we are doubly blessed for our information on the second part of the game, having received two accounts. We continue with our "Chief Reporter" and, following in italic, is the supplementary information provided by our Antidopean Correspondent recently home on furlough.]

The Cavaliers innings began well, with Andrew Steadman and JD opening. They were grateful for a number of extras that accrued as a result of some wayward bowling. However, it was perhaps inevitable that one or two wickets would fall, given the unpredictability of the pitch. JD fell to a delivery that bounced and stopped in its tracks, spooning the ball back to the bowler. Yet the opening partnership of 19 was still higher than the highest partnership that The Consmen could muster and we were already comfortably ahead of their run rate. Steadman was next to fall, with a delivery that undeservedly rose up from the pitch, catching his gloves as it passed through to The Consmen‟s keeper.

When Chapman went from his very first ball, there might have been a slight panic in “the dressing room” (the edge of the pitch). One may have been forgiven for thinking that, with The Cavaliers losing batsmen 1, 2 and 4 between overs 4 and 7, there was cause for a cautious consolidation of the innings.

However, this is no longer the approach of this team that is brimming with confidence. Jimmy Marchant had the skill and the mentality to reflect our approach, hitting his very first ball for 6 with a beautifully-timed pull shot over deep backward square leg. He soon followed this with 6 superbly-struck boundaries to different parts of the ground. He survived an LBW appeal to an unplayable delivery that skittled along the floor. His partner, Nigel Adams, batted boldly and played some attractive strokes. He survived 2 venomous and spiteful deliveries, one rearing up and striking him in the face, and another striking him in his chest.

Marchant made a superb and high pedigree 34 not out (with 30 runs in boundaries), whilst Adams made a gutsy and fluent 16 not out, as The Cavaliers ultimately reached their target of 83 with 7 wickets and 7.2 overs in hand. The Consmen were gracious in defeat. They may have also been shell-shocked. In our history of playing them, until this month we had not registered a single victory. Now we have beaten them twice in as many weeks. We have knocked them out of this year‟s Cup and have beaten them in tonight‟s league fixture.

Man of the Match: Jimmy Adams (no, sorry, Marchant)

Best Bowler Award: shared between Chapman, Dafydd and Adams

Lucky Bugger (and second-best batsman) of the Match: Grizz Adams (twice he could have been killed on this dreadful pitch)

[Ed: and now a view from the boundary edge ...]

I turned up at half time to watch the above and was pressed into both umpiring and match report. Obviously I can only write about our innings( i think Simmo pressganged Andy S re consmen knock) Equally as I havent got scoreboard cannot confirm all details. Where I have not entered in bold perhaps you can fill in when you get scorebook. Any here is my contribution.

"The target of 83 was never going to be a formality. A spiteful wicket and a determined Consmen attack and field awaited the Cavaliers batsmen. Young Steadman and "Jiffy" Davies opened our innings with forceful blows being interspersed with the unplayable delivery. One in particular from (the 1st bowler who got Steadman and Chapman out) their Australian import exploded off a good length and only returned to earth half way to the boundary.

Steadman gave a master class in defence with bat and pad used to "smother" any potentialy lethal balls. "Jiffy" went first, caught and bowled (no 2 bowler) misjudging a delivery which got too big and close to his body to pull but by then we were above the .This dismissal set something of a precedent with wickets falling off the last ball of overs.Steadman departed gloving a lifter to the keeper and Chapman frustatingly clipping a rare loose delivery from (Aussie) to square legs midriff.

The Consmen's sniffed blood at this stage. (Aussie) with typical Antipodean chutzpah (a strange ethnic mix!) attempted to live up to his team's name by conning the umpire into another over. Brown who has recently returned from an anthropolgical (Check spelling) of the tribe "down under" refused with wry amusement. His colleague Newbury showed equal firmness in rejecting an LBW appeal against Marchant.

Marchant and Adams then extinguished any hopes of the Consmen with a delightful combination. Marchant has not batted better for the club. He survived the "eye of the storm" and counter attacked. He took to (No 4 Bowler) and in one over smashed a four to mid on worthy of Wimbledon's centre court and clipped several boundaries fine on the leg side with one earning a maximum. The unfortunate bowler who both a striking resemblance to Steve Harmison facially, retreated to the outfield with the same bemused expression as England's occassional strike bowler.

Adams exhibited a rare appetite for defence mixed with delicate cuts and glances not usually associated with his "wagon wheel". He knows his game well these days. The winnings runs were posted with seven overs and seven wickets to spare. But this was a hard earned victory. Playing on a brutish track is no bad thing occassionally as batting has sometimes to be a test of bravery as much as skill. Steadman and Adams wore blows from the opposition.

Nonetheless the returning theme of bad wickets on Cardiff parks must be commented upon. Although Cardiff Casuals contain a high ranking City councillor one feels that the playing of cricket is low on the priorities and preferred lifestyle of the County Council. A great pity. The contrast in council owned wickets in Cardiff and neighbouring authorities is a disgrace to the capital. Little wonder that the city does not produce county cricketers. Blackweir was a reminder of our wisdom in seeking decent grounds across Western Avenue.

To finish on a brighter this victory was testament to the burgeoning confidence of the club. Again it was pleasing to relate the number of members attending to support to team selected to play."

Abercarn, 10 June. Cavaliers 212/7 (Hutchings 85, Steadman jnr 61); Abercarn 179/7 (J Davies 1/23). Cavaliers won by 33 runs

The Cavaliers continued a run of unbroken non-cancelled weekend games [Ed: whoever said you shouldn‟t use double negatives in prose …] this season which is quite unprecedented, with a trip to Abercarn which is something of a regular fixture now, a testament to the warm welcome from our hosts.

It was also the first charabanc trip for some years and with time to kill before the start the party stopped off at the Tredegar Arms ay Bassaleg. The party divided into two halves [Ed: thought you couldn‟t have more than two halves but these marketing wallahs will tell you anything …], those carefully abstemious and those somewhat more carefree with the booze. Among the latter, surprisingly, was the usually clean cut young Steadman with a macho devil-may-care quaffing of ale.

The party got to the ground in good time to note the wicket had more cracks than Sid James‟ face and it was with some trepidation that the team learned it would bat in the knowledge that the previous day‟s game had seen all 20 wickets fall for less than 200 runs in total. Unsure of what could be a good target, the old firm of Armstrong and Hutchings opened up in their distinctive styles, the former watchful, the latter in expansive mood. With the ball keeping low, timing was difficult and Nick offered 3 difficult chances, survived and everyone sensed this was to be the day. He was approaching his 50 when Warwick was out for 11 in the 15th over, the opening stand having yielded a useful 57 runs.

Enter young Steadman who quickly kept the scoreboard moving with quick singles as Nick continued his onslaught. They put on 80 in 10 overs and, for the fifth time in Cavalier colours, Nick entered the 80s. Would he leave the 80s and complete the ton milestone? Alas, no, at 85 he holed out to cover for a great knock scoring at more than a run a ball.

The elevated vice captain Marchant scored a brief 14 before the veritable Jonathan Davies strode to the wicket. Getting into his stride he went for a single only to be sent back by young Steadman whereupon Mr Steadman snr adjudicated him run out. Making his way back to the pavilion JD‟s thoughts on the Clan Steadman were somewhat uncharitable to this moment.

It was notable that when he lost 3 partners young Steaders was flat on his back, due to the combined effect of all those singles and the ales from earlier. He eventually departed for 61, taking his tally to over 300 for the season. The middle order took the score to 212/7 at the close.

As tea was taken the heavens opened but happily the good lord heard the players‟ prayers and it relented as the Cavaliers took to the field. In the dressing room beforehand Captain Jimmy muttered some words of exhortation to his team, more out of a sense that it was the done thing, rather than a desire to sound Churchillian [Ed: we get quite enough of that Churchill sounding stuff with Rabbit saying “oh, yes!” in his best bulldog fashion.]

JD and Huw Parsons opened the bowling without initial success but the Abercarn scoring rate was low. JD got the breakthrough on 41 before the Abercarn captain, Ian Parsons (no relation) came in and held his team together. The run rate was slow so risks were needed and a spate of run outs, four in total, inevitably follows.

Most notable was Ali Steadman who had lulled the batsmen into taking a second run whereupon he nonchalantly lobbed the ball on to the stumps as they went from 108/2 to 168/7. Abercarn finished 33 runs short with their skipper undefeated on 86. It was the first Cavaliers win here for 10 years [Ed: and made up for last year‟s disappointment when captain-for-the-day Sparkes found himself left with 10 men due to illness and injury, and of these 10 young Steaders played with a fractured dislocated thumb, old Steaders pulled a hamstring fielding and Rabbit bruised his ribs with a trademark dive over the ball].

[Ed: following on from his first catch behind the stumps on Thursday, we are delighted to report that Caesar completed the loss of his virginity at this game, making his first stumping in club colours.] The après-match was, as always, convivial with a number of the Abercarn players and supporters staying back to enjoy a post- match drink before the bus arrived in the gathering gloom to spirit a happy band of Cavaliers back to the big city.

We pass on our thanks to Rabbit, Jimmy and Jez for doing the leg work in organising the charabanc - it was much appreciated by the team and travelling supporters.

POSTSCRIPT: One or two people commented that committal proceedings had not yet been taken against a former captain over the “Tonyrefail Affair”. This is of particular concern as it seems the rascal has fled to Espana, Ronnie Knight style, to sun himself with his good lady wife. Are senior members of the Cavaliers‟ establishment keen for his silence? Are extradition proceedings in place, or is the trial to take place in that cricketing hotspot of Tarrogona under some EU directive? Is garrotting still used there? Watch this space.

Admiral Insurance, 7 June. Cavaliers 94/9 (H Parsons 16, D Lewis 13); Admiral 97/2 (14.2 ovs). Lost by 8 wickets

Following the game two days previously 11 different Cavaliers took the field – surely a record for the club and great to see supporters turning up to watch our fixtures. The Oracle took on the role of captain [Ed: with so much cricket planned for the summer, including the forthcoming “Fantastic Fortnight” when we play 6 games in just 14 days, the skipper and vice-captain were given the opportunity for a much deserved break] for this friendly fixture against new opponents – Admiral Insurance – 18 overs a side, everybody having a bowl if possible. El Capitano won the toss and decided that, if they were as novice as they made out, he didn't want anyone to run the risk of injury with unintentional beamers coming out of the twilight as it was a murky evening and so decided to bat first – Steve Roake and JT opening.

It soon became clear that the fielding side were not the “occasional cricketers” we were led to believe – judging by the club cricket badges displayed on their shirts and jumpers! [Ed: we wuz robbed! Their email said “we‟re a newly formed team and a few guys play hockey so we‟re probably not up to much”. We won‟t ever believe anything Admiral or confused.com say in small print again.] There was some fine bowling with a couple of wides thrown in!! JT was brilliantly caught at point which brought in debutant Derek Lewis to the wicket. Derek (13) and Steve (10) made a solid partnership against quality bowling [Ed: good to see Steve open his account for the Cavaliers even if he did try to throw away the opportunity while still on nought he tapped the ball gently in the air to the fielder who dropped the most sittable of catches].

Some lofty blows from Huw Parsons (16) only reaffirmed that we have yet another all-rounder from the Parsons household. This was followed by some excellent batting from the ever-dependable Honourable Nigel Moore.

Wyn “The Rabbit” Pritchard minus his “cricket glasses” eventually located the stumps (having originally wandered over to chat to a dustbin on the boundary believing it to be his batting partner). Wyn finished with his top score of 5 [Ed: including, it is believed, his first ever boundary] (although some doubted that his bat hit the ball at any time during his innings).

The former ex immediate past Chair then decided to run out the current Chair in a deliberate act of “Boycottism” [Ed: and also Caesar who, not for the first time, found he was unable to transfer the thought from brain to feet quickly enough to venture his first run of the season] and our innings closed on 94 for 9 which was a commendable effort in view of the fine bowling.

Cavaliers took to the field with the captain proposing an unusual bowling line-up [Ed: apparently the Captain‟s Log Star Date 206503 says it was a well thought-out ploy sanctioned by Starship Command to sow doubt in the minds of the opposition who had already proved they could bowl and field so could probably bat too]. The spin doctor [Ed: aka the immediate former previous ex-Chair] and all-rounder Huw (3 overs for only 11 runs) started the proceedings well, and then came the moment of the match.

Derek Lewis making his first appearance took a wicket with his first ball with keeper Caesar taking his first catch for the club! Joyous celebrations all round. An excellent three overs from Jonathan “the gut” Thomas (3 overs for only 18 runs) was followed by a welcome return to the fold by Julian Boardman (0/8). Great to see Jules back on the field of play!

We were finding wickets difficult to come by – particularly when the umpire – a young, fledgling barrister called Andrew Steadman – decided to wait for the batsman to walk rather than raising the finger – an unusual approach even in a friendly fixture [Ed: Captain claims we wuz robbed again with Steaders saying at the end of one over, “He was out LBW, you know, but I felt it against the friendly spirit of the game to give him out” and in relation to the caught behind, which denied Caesar a brace for the ball was excellently taken standing up, “Well I thought he hit it but when he said he hadn‟t I thought I‟d better let him stay”].

Some fine batting from the youngsters of Admiral Insurance saw them home after 14.2 overs for the loss of only 2 wickets [Ed: the early finish meant that only Rabbit, who‟d got to bat anyway, and the day‟s captain didn‟t get to bowl.]

The crestfallen captain for the day (“how do I tell Simmo that we lost?”) managed to regain his composure to issue out instructions for the next game and reflecting that if we had added up the combined ages of Cavaliers against the total ages of the young whipper-snappers of Admiral Insurance we would have won easily!!

At least we know what to expect next time we face the insurance profession!

The Consmen, 5 June. Willow League Cup. Cavaliers 165/6 (Chapman 41 retired, Hutchings 40 retired); Consmen 115/9 (Marchant 2/11, D Parsons 2/19). Won by 50 runs.

Cavaliers go through to Cup Semi-Final on Monday 25 June

When the Club finds itself in the position that the selectors can have the Club's record run holder (Warwick Armstrong) doing the scorebook, an in-form all-rounder (Matt Thomas) doing his 12th man stint and the miserly old bowling hand (Joey Newbury) surplus to requirements one hopes that they know what they are doing, particularly when faced with The Consmen, a team that we had never previously beaten in any form of the game, competitive or friendly, long or short, indoors or out.

Simmo lost the toss, which he said he was glad of being undecided what to do, and we found ourselves put in to bat. As this was our first game under the new Cup rules of batsmen retiring when they reach 40 (but able to return later if all other wickets have fallen) the selectors had opted for a top 6 who could all score quickly and this paid handsome dividends with Nick setting the tone from the outset. He reached 40 in just 18 balls which included 6 fours and a six. Steaders was adjudged leg before before he could get fully into his stride. A feature of the excellent spirit between the two sides was that, despite the keenly competitive nature of the game, each team was prepared to give umpiring decisions even if they were to the detriment of their own cause.

Jimmy fell to an excellent running catch taken low by long on making good ground to his left but Glenn took up the cudgels needing just 26 balls to make 41 featuring 8 fours. JD added a quick-fire 14 and Dave Parsons 17, both scoring better than a run-a-ball. Dave tormented one fielder in particular, first offering a difficult but not impossible chance, followed up by a dolly that the poor chap juggled with once, twice, thrice, then again, then again and, when finally he looked to have secured it, dropped it. He had his revenge, though, when Dave, selflessly in the team's cause came back for a close third run and was narrowly beaten by the direct hit. Simmo kept up the momentum with an unbeaten 13 off 11 balls and we'd reached the imposing total of 165 for 6, with two retirees.

However, the nature of the Cup competition with at least 9 men having to bowl means that totals are generally much higher than in League games and while a good score higher ones have been reached by team's batting second.

What a start, though, by our bowling attack! To bowl 12 balls and concede only 1 scoring shot (a 2) and a wide in any competitive game is out of the top drawer, which is how JD started. Rhidian (1/11) was also excellent and after his only loose delivery, which went for 4, he completely squared up the opening bat who sent a leading edge looping back to the delighted bowler. After 4 overs Consmen were 16/1, needing another 150 off just 14 overs.

They were hampered by an injury to opener Vanstone and so quick singles were turned down and chances for 2s were taken as comfortable 1s. The introduction of a runner didn't make much difference with Vanstone clearly struggling with his footwork and Grizz (1/10) claimed him courtesy of a piece of smart glovework by Nick when Vanstone overbalanced.

This signalled the start of an onslaught by the Consmen and though they were able to find the boundary in each of the next few overs, there were several dot balls and some really sharp fielding that kept the runs down. With a run rate that was now screaming upwards like a Saturn rocket, it was boom or bust time and there is no one quite like Dave for relishing the challenge of batsmen wanting to take him on. In his first over he caught and bowled their Aussie all-rounder who had just started to look dangerous and then, next ball, won a leg before decision when the new man decided to sweep a straight one that hit him low on the back foot. At the halfway stage they were 47/4 and it must have seemed like a mountain to climb.

Dave finished with 2/19 and Simmo (1/19), who later described himself as quite tense out there which explained his struggle with his line, chipped in with a wicket to send the dangerous Saunders back to the pavilion.

While Crowe remained there was always the chance of an upset. He'd hit a monstrous six off Dave but was completely undone by a ball from Jimmy that turned, not from off to leg as one might expect, nor the other way if it was a wrong 'un, but from top to bottom in that it hardly bounced at all and shot through under the bat. He departed for 29 and Jason (1/15) then won an LBW shout which was followed next over by an excellent one hand catch by Rhidian off Ross (1/10), taken almost nonchalantly with the ball above and behind him. Jimmy finished things off in an extended last over, with 3 uncharacteristic wides, but claiming a wicket with the last ball of the match to finish with our best figures of 2/11.

We had not only laid to rest a bete noire but done so with quite something to spare with every man contributing, be it with bat, ball or in the field. We now progress to the semi-final where we will meet the winner of tomorrow's game between GE Healthcare and Casuals.

Rogerstone Welfare, 3 June. Rogerstone 224/6 (Dafydd 3/40, H Parsons 1/16); Cavaliers 128/9 (Hutchings 33, Armstrong 27). Lost by 96 runs.

After last year's warm welcome and exciting finish, we were delighted to find the same in the first respect and hoped we could strive for the latter. Although we had light drizzle at times during the first innings the weather was kind to us but doubtless the humid and overcast conditions convinced Skipper Simmo that, on calling correctly, we should take first use of the ball and see if our swing and seam attack could wreak some havoc. Rhidian and Huw shared the brand new cherry and caused some early caution and circumspection among the opening pair, with Huw eventually eventually getting the first breakthrough with a ball that kept a little low, a feature that seemed to become accentuated during the course of the match.

Rhidian joined him in the scorebook soon afterwards with an incident that has now become known in Cavaliers folklore as "having a Grizzle". The other opener got a tickle and the catch was taken cleanly by Nick behind the stumps. After the appeal the batsman looked as if he was starting to walk back to the pavilion, then turned towards the umpire who nodded, and the batsman continued on his way. When Nick then thanked him for walking he stopped, he looked back at the umpire, said he hadn't touched it and started to return to his crease. The umpire then raised his finger, which caused further comment from the batsman and he still wanted to stay at the crease. The umpire then raised his finger high for all to see and a disgruntled figure made his way off the pitch.

Their captain came in at no4 and was probably the big difference between the teams, scoring 117 with 15 fours and 2 sixes. He was watchful at first but then even started dispatching the good balls. However, we were not without our moments of brilliance either, the first produced by Martin Buckle making his first appearance after injury and work commitments had caused him to miss April and May. Fielding at square leg to the burly left- hander, who tried to pull-hook a ball from Jason that was much too quick for him, the ball steepled and seemed as if it would swirl away from Martin and over his head to safety. Not for the first time in his Cavaliers career Swash never took his eyes off the ball and teetering backwards reached high and behind his right shoulder to grasp the ball and, losing balance, clutched it firmly to ensure that when he hit the ground the ball stayed well and truly caught. It was a magnificent effort, the sort that brings the admiration and congratulations of one's fielding colleagues and is applauded by all who witnessed it.

Despite a couple of very hard chances, almost half chances really, we didn't have much a sniff after that for quite a while as we could only admire the range of shots produced by the southpaw no4. After 23 overs they had 130 on the board, men set and wickets in hand. We braced ourselves for what could have been a daunting final hour in the field. However, Simmo replacing JD, who had struggled a bit to find the right line against the lefthanders, picked up the next wicket with a clean bowled and the introduction of the spin twins, Vince and Mooro, started to apply the brakes. Both were unlucky at times with the ball just falling short of fielders or narrowly missing the stumps and deserved better than their figures show.

Rhidian and Jason were brought back for the final overs, Rhidian seeming to have more zip than at the start hurrying the century maker with a real speedster that flattened the stumps. This was followed up in his next over with another terrific catch, this time by Jason, sprinting round the long off boundary and dancing just inside the boundary rope a la Mark Simpson at Wareham, and taking the ball at full pelt when it had seemed a certain 6. Rhidian finished with our best figures of 3/40, Huw's opening 5 over spell had brought him 1/16 and Simmo finished with 1/25 (off 5) and Jason 1/31 off 8.

Their innings closed on 224/6, quite a lot less than we had feared at one point and reflected a tremendous effort from everyone with some excellent stops, good chasing and whole-hearted, non-stop concentration. This was followed by another splendid tea that included rice and sweetcorn salad and pasta, which was devoured quickly in case young Steaders appeared and repeated his Tonyrefail trick to scoff the left-overs while we weren't looking!

Warwick and Nick opened, looking comfortable in their contrasting ways, before Nick fell to an excellent catch in the covers, having made 33 in 31 balls (3 fours and a six) in a stand of 54 in 12 overs. JD went in next and was strangely subdued at a ground that had seen him running round as a nipper so perhaps it was a tear of nostalgia in his eye that meant he failed to detect the path of the incoming Exocet launched at him by the keeper who had now removed his pads and turned out to be one of their regular League pacemen.

This started a sorry parade or incoming batsmen who, almost immediately, became outgoing ones, with Jason, Martin and Jez all dismissed for ducks, Swash's being of the golden varietal. We lost five wickets for as many runs, slumping from 76/1 to 81/6 in the space of a few overs. Even the redoutable Warwick fell, to an excellent catch in a game that featured several. Vince, meanwhile was left to witness the carnage from the non-strikers before he too became another bowled victim, the reward for the virtue of bowling straight on a pitch that was keeping low.

It was left to Captain Simpson and The Honourable to add some decency to our total, taking us beyond the hundred before Simmo spooned a gentle catch for 12. There was time to witness Rhidian's first innings in Cavaliers colours. His batting kit caused a few raised eyebrows and a little mirth as the items seemed not just somewhat aged but of a size and shape that made us wonder if he'd been given them when a schoolboy. However, the reaction didn't seem to cause any introspection and he soon opened his account with a delightful drive through the covers before also giving the gentlest of catches. Huw saw out the remaining 9 balls in company with Mooro who finished undefeated on 23.

We managed to reach 128/9, which was respectable given the mayhem among our middle order who appeared to have no answer to Richard Drew, appearing much older than his declared age of 16, who returned the fine figures of 8 overs, 5 of them maidens, and taking 4 for 14. Mention should be made of the high standard of bowling from both sides - in a match of 80 completed overs, only 14 extras were conceded by the Cavaliers and just 13 by Rogerstone.

The game finished in the best light of the day and we repaired to the local Redwood Club where Simmo, Waz and Jez took a wrong turn and ended up in the ballroom dance for the over 80s. Simmo and Jez managed to find their way to the other bar but the whereabouts of Warwick was uncertain for some time as his dance card was quickly filled for him!

Chartered Trust, 23 May. Cavaliers 130/8 (M Thomas 29not out, J Davies 14); Chartered Trust 134/5 (18.4ovs, Marchant 1/11, D Parsons 1/13). Lost by 5 wickets. Ch Trust 12pts, Cav 3pts

If one was to believe the online forecast of the BBC this match would never have been played showing the Cardiff weather, as it did for most of the day, as wintry sleet showers so perhaps Caesar has a point in wishing to bring the Oracle‟s sagacity to bear on the provision of climatic prophecy.

Simmo won the toss and opted for first use of the batting strip and we found ourselves in quite a bit of difficulty, losing Steaders early on for 2, Jimmy for 3 and Dave Parsons for 3 perishing to a superb direct hit by the mid-wicket fielder. The ball was jagging about a lot and there more Chinese cuts in the opening overs than you‟d find at the local take away.

Glenn, making his League debut, and JD began to steady the ship somewhat but when Glenn went for 8, JT followed soon after for 4 and Vince for 2. When JD went for 14 we were 68 for 7 off 12 overs – a good rate but in danger of not using our overs.

We were fortunate that Trust had brought along a Jekyll and Hyde bowling attack – devastatingly penetrative at times with 5 clean bowled victims, but wantonly generous at others, conceding 46 extras of which 31 were wides.

Our cause was also helped by the discovery of form by Matt who, in similar vein to Sunday, made sure that the tail wagged while the extras barked. Despite a scratchy start when he could‟ve been out several times, including a crazy single when both batsmen almost appeared at the same end, he soon took control and hit 5 boundaries in his unbeaten 29, including 2 marvellous clumps back over the bowler‟s head. With Jason (12) giving good support and Simmo upping the ante with some great running, including taking whippet-like byes when the ball went through to the keeper, we closed on a competitive 130. Trust took nearly an hour and half to complete their overs, obviously not helped by the plentitude of wides and no-balls, but a slow rate all the same and meant that not just the light may become a factor but the evening dew on the ground made it slippy, as we were to find to our cost.

Jason and Jimmy started well, Jimmy bowling through his spell to finish with 1/11 which featured a great catch by JT standing up but the Trust batsman took a liking to Simmo and Steaders with Griffiths (17) and Holton (35) using the pace on the ball with a cleverly-angled bat to make sure that they were always par with our score on an over-by-over basis but keeping wickets in hand for the final charge.

The introduction of JD applied the brakes and, as described by Sunday‟s reporter, he was Bothamesque yet again, nipping out one in his first over and nearly snaring another off a rank long hop when the ball virtually cut square leg in half.

The dangerous Holton was then run out by a fine throw resulting in a direct hit while attempting what had seemed a comfortable second run. At 70/4 in the 12th over (we were 68/7 at the same stage) Hassan joined Liddel and a wicket then could‟ve tipped the balance our way but, mixing circumspection with some lusty hitting, they added 42 for the 5th wicket in even time, but following an excellent first over by Cavalier debutant Dominc Bland, conceding just two wides, they had the challenging task of needing 27 off 3 overs but with wickets in hand.

A mighty 6 by Liddel then led to his downfall, a very smart stumping by JT off Dave‟s bowling. The Trust skipper then made a shrewd move, moving Owen up the order to be next man in with instructions to go for it. Having lost their only two games this season off the last ball, they clearly didn‟t want to risk the nerves that another last over might bring. Owen decided to throw caution to the wind and struck 21 runs off just 7 deliveries faced to see Trust home with 8 balls to spare.

It had been a competitive match played in a good spirit without any of the niggle of last year‟s encounter on the dodgy pitch at Llandaff Fields, and we look forward to our friendly games together later in the season.

Tonyrefail & Edmundstone, 20 May. Cavaliers 157/9 (Armstrong 39, M Thomas 19 not out); T&E 99 all out (32.4 ovs D Parsons 3/19, J Davies 2/7). Won by 58 runs

Having only completed 2 games so far this season our hosts were desperate to play some cricket and credit to them that, despite some wet and sponginess, they made every effort to get us going on time. Sad to relate, therefore, that our assembled numbers were, for a quite a while, below muster. Firstly, Mr Hutchings discovered that a move out to the country is all well and good but if you lock yourself out of your new abode with mobile and car keys inside the property, then it takes time to borrow a ladder and then some nifty leg work up it to do a bit of breaking and entering to retrieve the situation.

Secondly, Mr Armstrong, who had declined all offers of a lift, and whose trust in the vagaries of public transport at any time, let alone the Sabbath, rivals the belief of Don Quixote in the windmills at which he tilts – both being equally imaginary except in their own minds. His colleagues were firmly of the view that they would much prefer it if he were to accept a lift to the game and then make his way back to Cardiff by public transport if he so wishes to support (non)Arriva Trains Wales and the bus companies.

Shorn of two men, including our keeper, the oppo skipper sportingly asked us to bat on winning the toss and so Messrs J Davies and D Parsons gave us a steady start. Dave looking positive and perky following his undefeated half-century on Thursday while JD was almost the opposite of his companion after his day of champagne at the Lords test match on Saturday.

Sadly for Dave, who found a fielder able to keep his eye on the swirling skier and to take comfortably the catch presented to him at deep point, he was first to go. However, our sympathies soon switched to JD who had to stay on the pitch but who would‟ve much preferred the option of a horizontal position beyond the boundary‟s edge.

Enter the maestro, Mr Run Machine Armstrong himself, quickly back in the groove that made him the record run scorer for the Cavaliers last season. He played the ball late, almost dangerously so causing the umpiring Oracle to have his heart in his mouth should wood not connect with leather, to create the angles to pierce the field. As ever, and much like the negotiations for a new Assembly government, his calling and running left his partner and fielders none the wiser. JD fell to the slower ball, again, for 19 and this brought in another yet debutant this season, Glenn Chapman, looking relaxed and tanned after his cruise. He opened his account with a delightful clip off his legs to the square leg boundary and continued to look solid even appearing, after a while, to have worked out the code to the enigmatic Mr Armstrong‟s calling. He was unlucky to get a leading edge to a ball that stopped on him a bit, going for a well crafted 12, having added 36 for the third wicket, our highest partnership of the day.

This brought together the two old stagers in Grizz and Waz, both as familiar with the other‟s game as a Rizla paper is with leaf tobacco. By this time, drinks had been taken and JD had been pressed into umpiring service. The tableau that then unfolded caused deep consternation to the assembled throng of local spectators and Cavaliers colleagues who had only pictures and gestures but no words to make sense of the sight they beheld, a scene worthy of detailed description here and one which we thought might cause tremors among the corridors of the ICC, MCC and bar.

Mr Adams was on strike, the ball was bowled, a shot made, a deflection witnessed and loud appeals from keeper, bowler and close fielders. Jiffy hesitated, appeared to be about rule not out, considered further, then proceeded to bring his right hand up towards his chest with his index finger uncurling as the arm rose. At this movement, Mr Adams left his crease not, as we thought, to return to his team mates but headed towards the umpire, motioning and mouthing as he made his way up the centre of the wicket. JD‟s finger hovered around his clavicle and then appeared to be in an ascendant direction again. Then the wicket keeper leapt forward and words were exchanged with batsman and umpire. Immediately following, Mr Adams returned to his crease and the next ball was delivered.

We were able, purely for the sake of clarity and completeness you understand, to obtain a transcript from the stump mic which we reproduce below …

{clicking noise}

{fielders appealing}

{fielders celebrating}

Adams: If you were thinking of giving that out, you can‟t for the good reason that I didn‟t hit it.

Umpire: I heard a noise.

Adams: I have no doubt that you heard a noise, as indeed, I did but you might wish to consider that it wasn‟t from my bat.

Umpire: I think it‟s out.

Adams: You might think so – and indeed you are perfectly entitled to think so – but I can assure you in the good name of the Queen that it was not out.

Keeper: I heard something but I suppose it could have been off something else.

Adams: Of course, as I‟ve just asserted in the name of our good Queen, it was not from my bat. It was something else.

Umpire: I think it was out.

Adams: Look, my good man, this fine keeper has just told you it may have been something else and I‟ve assured you on loyal oath to Her Majesty that it was not my bat, so put that finger down. These people have to come watch cricket being played and we must get on with it.

Mr Adams was fortunate in three respects: (1) that it was not Matt umpiring as he would have been triggered before he could‟ve opened his mouth to utter a word of advice to the umpire, (2) that His Honour Judge Gog Davis was otherwise occupied in another part of the county recounting the next stage of his life story to a certain John Mortimer QC or else some dreadful fines would have been levied, and (3) that our opponents were not the sort to take this episode in the wrong way and, anyway, held a chest high catch in the covers to dismiss him some balls later.

We wish to make clear to readers that it is not the normal custom of Mr Adams to cross-examine the umpire and it is only he that could carry off such an act without intending or giving offence so we do not wish to see - indeed, the committee will not look kindly upon - any repetition and require of those bearing the Cavaliers colours to see the umpire‟s decisions, right or less so, accepted in full with alacrity and dignity.

This brought a somewhat nervous Matt “Trigger” Thomas to the wicket who had enquired of the club antiquarian before the game what the record was for consecutive ducks. He started scratchily and we felt that, if he could get just a single, he‟d be fine. We cheered loudly when he got the ball away for two only to see the umpire signalling leg byes. Would this put the wood on Trigger or would he manage that small technical adjustment needed from his previous innings of simply putting his bat into contact with the ball?

He did and, following the dismissal of Warwick for our top score of 32 to a tremendous catch in the gully that any first class cricketer would‟ve been proud of, took on the mantle of marshalling the tail to ensure that we saw out the overs. He was well supported by everyone in the lower order bar Mr Sparkes, who discovered an umpire from the host town who had clearly not attended Mr Rauf‟s class on adjudging leg before appeals, but he decided in the interests of the game‟s harmony not to follow Mr Adams example and inform the official that the ball was going down leg, a view supported by the fact that it was only a half-hearted appeal from the bowler, none from the keeper and that the ball had even been returned to the bowler without any disgruntlement on his part only for everyone to be surprised by the late, nay very late, raising of the finger. One thing is certain, one could not accuse the umpire of making a hasty decision in the matter.

Steve Roake was also unfortunate to have not been paying attention when Trigger shed the monkey of consecutive ducks from his back and so found it clinging to his shoulders as he returned to the pavilion with another one to add to his collection.

Matt finished on 19 not out and in harness with El Presidente, making his first appearance of the season, took 13 off the final over to hoist us to a competitive 157 on a slow pitch with a sluggish outfield, with the boundary rope being reached on only 5 occasions.

There was then a splendid tea with real mugs and such a selection of cakes that it would‟ve made the Test Match Special commentary box somewhat envious. Trigger declared himself particularly partial to a Bakewell Tart, an admission that may cause us to consider our tour locations in the future to avoid any indiscretions. Knowing the outfield was slow and so we would have to chase every ball, we left a substantial supply of tea and cakes for after the game, but had we known that we would not be to enjoy them, perhaps would've eaten more at the time.

Our opening batting pair were also yoked together for the bowling and wreaked havoc among the T&E upper order. Dave bowled 6 overs off the reel, taking 3/19, after Jiffy had begun with a maiden and then started the procession with a beautiful delivery that clean bowled the opener.

Joey showed that classy catching was not just the domain of our fine hosts and took a superb catch going backwards, now blind to the ball‟s trajectory, with it swirling over his shoulder but making it look very simple.

Simmo replaced the almost chundering Jiffy and produced a wicket in his first over (1/9 off 4 overs) to leave our opponents at 24 for 5 and hoping for rain as dark clouds had now gathered around the valley. Grizz replaced Dave and also had a wicket in his first over with Jiffy, who becomes more Bothamesque with each game in that it seems impossible to keep him out of the action, taking the catch at gully.

Then Matt got involved with a catch at square leg off Grizz (2/17). Joey was brought on and immediately gave a masterclass in accurate medium- to a well-placed field, conceding only 8 runs from his 4 overs, two of these wides that even the batsman considered to be harsh. He was also denied an LBW by someone who had been to Rauf‟s School.

A short interlude followed as our attention was drawn to a man-powered vehicle on the hill that is not oft seen and would surely have caused dear old to break off from his commentary to inform listeners of the gentleman on a uni-cycle going along the old Porth Road.

Simmo then tried to get everyone in the action and Steve Roake took his first wickets for the club (2/37) and Glenn showed that he is clearly an all-round talent. Jiffy came back to finish off as he started (2/7) and T&E made the ice cream flake. There was then a delightful additional passage of play when a couple of the T&E youngsters who‟d been an enthusiastic pair of sub fielders came out for a few overs against the demonic Trigger who had the gall to snap up a caught&bowled off the 10 year old [Ed: perhaps he should be nicknamed the Child Catcher after that heinous act] and Mr Sparkes, whose blushes were spared when the youngsters chased his very inaccurate deliveries and managed to hit them so saving the umpire from calling wide.

In the sunlit evening as we prepared to enjoy the remainder of our tea we discovered that young Steaders, who appeared to support us at about 5.30, had declared himself to the visitors as being a Cavalier and in want of sustenance. They had directed him to the fridge and he promptly scoffed the lot but Hon Sec had his revenge by charging Steaders a match fee. Despite being of empty stomach, we were able to enjoy the bottled Ashes Ale and listen to Captain Flubber recount the victorious match, seemingly unaware that we had all been there to witness it for ourselves, as we celebrated our first win in a Sunday fixture for many a year. We had felt before we set forth that T&E would be a club in the same mould as ourselves and this turned out to be the case, a warm welcome, a game played in a lovely spirit with a mix of ages and abilities but always enthusiastic, and fun to drink with afterwards.

Euro-Commercials, 17 May. Cavaliers 146/0 (D Parsons 51 ret, Steadman jnr 50 ret); Euros 116/4 (Strawson 2/3; J Thomas 1/15). Won by 30 runs

This match was nearly called off as the Euros were unable to muster a full team. However, our Hon. Sec., having listened to grumbles from a number of members who had not played for some time due to the rain - one has to question the credentials of an Oracle that cannot predict the weather [Ed: clearly our reporter is more familiar with Roman mythology than the Greek classics otherwise he would know that the Oracle is concerned with matters of wisdom and not the weather or else he'd have every man-jack gardener at his door step] - was able to reassure the opposition that some frustrated Cavaliers could be relied upon to make up the numbers. So it was agreed to have a 12-a-side game and the Euros Captain „picked‟ J.D., Caesar and Dominic from our reserves [Ed: Steaders was also available but Simmo had barred him from guesting and used him, instead, as our extra man].

The Captains agreed to restrict the innings to 18 overs, with a maximum of two overs per bowler. Simmo won the toss and sent out D.C. Steadman & Mr Parsons (D) to test their bowling attack. Mr Parsons was keen to open but frustrated to find that the sun, being just above the trees, had made the tree line appear very dark so that, as he looked to scrutinise the bowler, he caught sight of two shiny objects bobbing about behind the stumps – a pair of glasses. Agent Smirnoff, umpiring, dressed in dark colours, was then asked to provide a white top to the opening bowler clad in dark blue in order to aid the batsman. Before a suitable garment could be found, Brownie had whipped off, Flintoff-style, his shirt accompanied by a sound from the assembled players, similar to a sock being sucked up a vacuum cleaner. Eventually, Agent Smirnoff ensured that the bowler was suitably attired and then proceeded to dress himself as we would never have been able to find both batsmen a pair of skiing goggles.

The bowling attack from this newly formed side did little to trouble our openers so Capt. Simmo retired Dave on 51 and D.C. on 50 after 43 and 34 deliveries respectively. They were replaced by Richard Davies 17 n.o. and J.T. 13 n.o. The ability of our batsman to meet the ball with the bat made life easier for their guest keeper, Caesar, who only once appeared, looking expectantly, on the leg side, as the ball whistled down off. Despite his unfamiliarity with their bowling so he didn‟t know where the ball would pitch nor its line [Ed: neither, to be fair, did their bowlers] the Euros only conceded 3 byes towards the Cavaliers total of 146 without loss. [Ed: Simmo has clearly been swotting up with his Blackadder DVD box set as his cunning plan to limit bowlers to 2 meant that the 3 decent bowlers on the Euros side could only bowl one-third of the overs.]

It is fair to say that their batsmen were not feeling optimistic as they took to the field and their first wicket went in the 5th over with only 13 on the board, and they didn't register their fifty until the 11th over, by which time two further batsmen had been dismissed.

The tactic employed by J.T., with a mind to improving his , has been considered by many but only he was brave enough to try it. J.T. bowled six wides in succession, lulling the batsman into a false sense of security, and then clean bowled him. This was later followed by Rabbit, who was not so lucky when he bowled a ball that did not make it as far as the popping crease. The next ball was hit for six.

Vince took a wicket maiden in his first over only to see the batsman replaced by J.D. The scene now resembled a contest between Dirty Harry and Rooster Cogburn. Clint, indifferent to any batsman that wants to take to the crease and Rooster laughing nonchalantly as though he was about to face the most formidable bowler that the local brownie pack could produce. The scene that followed, when Clint bowled Rooster for 3, saw Dirty Harry, whopping with joy, running around in circles thrusting his fists in to the air. He finished with two wickets for 3 off his two overs.

Rhidian, was the only other bowler able to claim a maiden over and conceded only 3 runs off his second. At this point, feeling like there was nothing to lose, their batsman relaxed in to their game and more than doubled their score in the remaining 6 and a bit overs. Warwick Armstrong worked hard for the Cavaliers, dancing behind the wicket, with some great dives and rolls but the judges marked him down for exceeding the permitted number of holds [Ed: it was also discovered that he'd be no help to the police in an identify parade, mistaking Steve Roake for the Champion Hurdler, so burglars eyeing up have nothing to fear.]

The aforementioned Steve again demonstrated his prowess as a fielder with quick pickups and a good arm getting the ball in from just inside the boundary. Even when bowling it was his fielding that did the damage with his first ball. Steve, having failed to beat the bat then picked the ball up and ran out the batsman as tried to make it to the bowlers end. His two overs went for 15.

Brownie was then brought in to see how the batsmen would respond to a bit of flight. The soft ground took away much of the bounce and Agent Smirnoff became so frustrated that a confident appeal for LBW was perhaps deemed to be excessively aggressive in tone and manner by the Oracle [Ed: actually, in that morning's post he had received his diploma from the Rauf School of Classic Umpiring Decisions to add to his collection of qualifications and he was doubtless perfecting it].

Agent Smirnoff‟s evening was made complete when he bowled the last ball of the match to see it hit straight to Richard Davies. Richard, with the sun on his back, contemplating the pint that was soon to be in his hand and wondering what his total might have been had there been an extra 2 overs in this match, suddenly focused on the leather orb coming towards him. The rush of adrenaline coursing through his veins caused him to lash out, some might have thought in an attempt at a catch, and somehow, clumsily, knock the ball over the boundary for four. Brownie was heard to say something but nobody dared repeat it [Ed: but it did lead to Richie acquiring his club nickname of “Radar” not, as some may think, because he had trouble locating the ball‟s whereabouts but because his was the only 'blip' on otherwise impeccable display by the Cavaliers].

The Cavaliers won by 30 runs and a good time was had by all in the bar afterwards.

South Wales Sri Lankans, 6 May. SWSL 263/9 (Steadman jnr 5/27, Adams 2/56); Cavaliers 259/8 (Steadman jnr 87, J Davies 59, Adams 33). Lost by 4 runs

This was a game that had everything and was finished amidst great excitement with all 4 results possible going into the final two balls, and was redolent of the epic 1970s Gillette Cup semi-final between Lancashire and Gloucestershire completed in the dark [Ed: a match recalled vividly by Mrs Hon Sec who was there in person]. The fact that the game continued to the end was due to the sporting nature of the Sri Lankans who could‟ve opted to come off as they were slipping in the field and the bowlers had trouble gripping the red bar of soap that the leather sphere had come to resemble.

It began under much brighter skies with skipper Simpson calling correctly yet again but perhaps a little wary after last week‟s dismissal of our entire side for 36 opted to insert the opposition. They began even more brightly than the skies and had put on 50 in very quick time but not without a bit of playing and missing as Simmo, opening with a maiden over, particularly found swing from the pavilion end.

It fell to the first change bowlers, Jiffy Davies (1/34) and Grizz, to start the wickets tumbling with Jiffy striking in his first over and Grizz bowling through his 8 overs taking 2/56, figures which were only spoiled somewhat by some outrageous liberties taken by the SWSL captain who stepped well outside off stump in Grizz‟s last over to pull the ball viciously to the leg side boundary on 3 occasions.

The brakes were applied either side of the drinks interval by the contrasting bowling partnership of Steaders jnr, appearing with his Dad for the first time this season, and the old master, Bishen Brownie. After a few exploratory deliveries to get his line right, Steaders ran through the entire middle order of the Sri Lankans with no-one able to counter his late dipping in-swing and, perhaps uniquely for a Cavaliers‟ bowler, all of his Michelle victims were clean bowled [Ed: Michelle Pfeiffer = “five-for”, modern cricketing parlance] to return figures of 8-3-27-5.

He was also reverting to type: after retrieving the ball from the other side of the fence he hurled it back towards the field of play and was only saved from a further charge of dog crushing when the somewhat portly owner interposed his own body between the flung projectile and his mutley hound.

Meanwhile Agent Smirnov at the other end was using guile, flight and air to create all sorts of doubts in the batsmen‟s minds with several just avoiding being stumped, bowled or caught behind [Ed: Brownie also wishes to point out that he wonders if the LBW law is understood over that side of the mountain]. He eventually got his reward (1/35).

With the 9th wicket falling at 195 in the 35th over we harboured hopes of keeping them to 210-220 but the last wicket pair were no rabbits and the rain had now started, making the ball difficult to grip and a few wides, byes and overthrows resulted [Ed: apparently the Committee are issuing an invitation to Galileo to instruct us in the principles of the relative orbits of sun, earth and moon to assist our fielding awareness]. They reached a massive 263 off 40 overs, much much more than either side could‟ve anticipated.

Tea was taken while the rain teemed down and it looked as if the game would have to be abandoned. Then, as Hon Sec devoured his 5th sandwich [Ed: he seems to eat more when scoring then when playing for some strange reason], the rain eased and then ceased, allowing the teams to take to the field again.

Having experimented with extremes of age and pace in our opening match [Ed: which saw the Dogs Crusher and Whisperer partnered], the skipper opted for a variation, this time using cubic capacity as the differentiator, and so we witnessed the towering Goliath-like figure of JD accompanying the diminutive Steaders jnr to the crease to begin out reply.

Faced with a colossal run rate of more than 6 and a half per over to be maintained for a full 40 overs, one could‟ve understood if the guys had opted for respectability and some good practice in the middle, especially after last Sunday‟s disappointment. However, never let it be said that the Cavaliers could be accused of respectability: a feature of the club, which is being kindled anew with the fresh blood that has entered the Cavaliers over the past season and a half [Ed: and obviously reporters willing to mix their metaphors like water off a rolling stone that is worth two in the bush ...] is the ability to dream and to believe in taking the game to the opposition and not be daunted.

From the off, JD and Steaders in contrasting styles – the former bludgeoning, the latter administering the rapier – set about the best Sri Lankan bowlers with verve and ambition. At the end of the early overs we were always there or thereabouts with the run rate. JD had some luck, steering a ball uppishly just wide of gully, and then repeated the shot picking out the fielder with unerring accuracy only to see him drop it. After the opening overs, the Sri Lankans were forced to make early bowling changes only to find the Oracle in his most infuriatingly Michael Caine mode, no-balling the fast bowling replacement for a back-foot infringement “Not a lot of people know that” he proffered in a lame East End accent. This not only added a run and an additional delivery but made the bowler tentative about his footwork. JD and Steaders continued to make hay while the rain fell [Ed: yes, we know it should be while the sun shone but it was most definitely emptying stair-rods now]. JD went to a well-earned 50, eventually falling for 59 (2x6, 6x4) from an opening stand of 118 in just 17 overs.

There was then an incident that, if had not been handled with such delicacy, could've had far reaching ramifications. The back-foot no-balled bowler was espied filling the palm of one hand with dirt, that he then liberally applied to one side of the ball to try to weighten the 'wrong' side so that it would reverse swing. It had the desired effect and may have dislodged Steaders but for the fact that the bowler sent it down the wrong line and as it arced the opposite way to the lighter side it was helped on its way to the square leg boundary. What to do, pondered the Oracle? Should he signal a five run penalty as per the laws? Surely he couldn't allow it to continue in case the bowler found the right line? As those who have met him can vouch, he is a man of little Hair so he opted instead for a quiet word with the bowler who was by now a little dischuffed to find an umpire with what seemed an almost encyclopaedic knowledge of the laws and a keen eye to boot. With a shrug of the shoulders the bowler wandered over to his captain and was replaced for the next over.

Matt Thomas came in and we must be generous in acknowledging that it can be extremely off-putting to be the focus of a pitch invasion when a lad in a hooded sweatshirt made his way, can of lager in one hand and something of uncertain origin in the other, to greet Matt at the crease. The Oracle tried his best UN diplomacy against the backcloth of Rabbit‟s resounding “Gerrov the pitch you ****” [Ed: probably not the most helpful intervention that the Rabbit has ever made but he has now been offered a post as a peace negotiator in Iraq].

While Matt‟s young lady companion had missed his innings last week having blinked several times in the sun, she wouldn‟t have had time to complete one half of a blink this time round as the young leg spinner got him in all sorts of a tangle and tripping over his own feet, was comprehensively stumped, an omen that was to come back to haunt him later on. This brought Grizz to the wicket who, continuing his habit of last season, had brought a bevy of female supporters [Ed: we use the term loosely as, having witnessed the toss, these “supporters” then disappeared to the pub for a long lunch, reappeared just before tea, put up an umbrella and then retired to another watering hole. However, the appearance was sufficiently long for us to get an idea of what the “in” colours and style will be this season.]

He and Andy continued the good work, keeping us up with the required run rate, taking quick singles and putting away the bad ball to good effect, and was unfortunate to fall when a skier was held despite the rain coming down in torrents. He‟d made a well crafted 33 with shots all round the wicket, putting on 81 for the 3rd wicket and taking us to 202 after 30 overs. Gog came in and someone must not have told him that we were batting as he proceded to use his pads, encouraging the wily Saeed to offer several appeals. Luckily for Gog it was a Sunday and the Holy Trinity of LBW was invoked - the ball having pitched in line and striking him in line would have continued on its line past leg stump had it been allowed to continue on its path without "the pad of Gog" intervening. He was less fortunate at the other end when a low straight one did for him and Matt, in his first umpiring assignment, triggered him without hesitation.

Our innings was not without hitches, however, mostly from Brownie when the elastic „went‟ on his trousers while scoring and he was forever hoisting them back up about his mid-rift [Ed: he is distraught as white 60s flares haven‟t become retro chic yet and so he may have to buy a straight-legged polyester pair].

It was then Matt's turn for déjà vu as a bright-yellow plumed aquatic bird skimmed the outfield and then headed across the square with a rottweiller cross in hot pursuit. The golden duck eventually made it to safety and then, as the dog loped back towards the owner, the duck re-appeared and for a while it looked to all intents as though it was now pursuing the hound.

Simmo carried on the epic battle with Steaders but when Andy was out, unfortunate to play on, for a brilliant 87 (10x4), a truly exceptional match for him when you add in his bowling “five-for”, we could‟ve lost momentum. The captain, though, found a willing foil in young George who put bat to ball and was game to take risky runs, clearly preferring the flat to the steeplechase, scoring his first runs for the Cavaliers and keeping the scoreboard ticking over. He sacrificed himself chancing a second run (and to keep Simmo on strike) and was replaced by Steaders snr, who showed the same spirit, and somehow in the dark he and Simmo got us to the start of the last over with 7 needed for what would have been a remarkable victory.

The Sri Lankans brought back their strike bowler but, perhaps wisely, had him bowl at a different end from where the Oracle was standing. In fashion he struck Simmo two consecutive crushing blows on the toe with well-directed yorkers. Still 7 needed from 4 balls. A boundary was required but Simmo perished trying to get it, having scored 24 fine runs at pretty much a run a ball including a crunching 6 over the point boundary. Ross came in but a run out resulted as he and Alistair tried to ensure that the final delivery or two still gave us a chance. Rabbit entered the fray, needing to smote the last ball for 6 for victory and the rest, as they say, is history.

The time was now at 8.00pm; it seemed darker than a pint of Murphys and, had the dog looked more carefully, it might‟ve found more web-feeted „snacks‟ among the sodden dripping cricketers. Fair play to both sides to keep going in awfully difficult conditions and to fashion such an exciting finish. It is believed that the Cavaliers set a new record [Ed: we await confirmation from the Club's antiquarian], compiling their highest ever score batting second, a tremendous feat given the extremely damp and dark environment.

Cardiff Bay Barbarians, 3 May. CBB 139/5 (20ovs, Bowen 2/16, Duffy 1/14). Cavaliers 140/2 (16.3ovs, Steadman jnr 62, Marchant 40no). Won by 8 wickets. Cavaliers 14 pts, CBB 1 pt

By the end of this opening Willow League encounter Oz Bar Wizards under their new name “Cardiff Bay Barbarians” must‟ve felt they‟d had an evening with Bill Murray in Groundhog Day. Last season they had set a seemingly insurmountable total of 180+ only to see the Cavaliers sail past it with ease with more than 3 overs and plenty of wickets to spare. This time round, recovering from a tourniquet applied by our opening pair of Jason (1/14) and Panda (2/16) whose combined 8 overs conceded just 30 runs and took 3 top order wickets, Cardiff B‟s did well to recover to set any sort of total.

With both Darren Moggridge and Mark “The Slash” Davies willing to take chances and having remembered to pack their lucky charms as edges just eluded fielders and balls sliced in the air found a gap and shot across the lightning-fast outfield, they added 119 for the 4th wicket before one of our two debutants, Rhidian Dafydd, dismissed the dangerous Moggridge to a comfortable catch by Simmo.

It was fortunate that the captain had his mind on the business of fielding as, much like a voter presented with the ballot papers at that day's Welsh Assembly elections, he was faced with an myriad of options to consider and had to work out many different combinations and an array of permutations as we had 10 bona fide bowlers at his disposal, with Nick behind the stumps [Ed: such was his fount of riches that he didn‟t even need to bowl himself]. This afforded him the luxury of being able to switch the attack round, particularly if the batsman found a bowler‟s line to be in his slogging slot.

“The Slash” eventually started to time the ball and was unlucky to find the 20 overs completed with him just 4 runs short of a century that, had it been achieved, could not have been described as chanceless but would have been well-taken in an innings vital to his team. There‟d been some great saves in the field, with the Cavaliers looking lean and eager, but there was still a tendency on occasions to either hurl in a wild throw or fail to back up quickly enough conceding a few overthrows that, in another game, might prove crucial, and so there are things to take from a good victory to work on and be even better next time.

As with the bowling options, so with the batting as the skipper was offered depth virtually all the way down the order. Cardiff B‟s could hardly have had a worse start, with the opening delivery going for 5 wides, and Nick “Meat Loaf” Hutchings going at it like a bat out of hell, with 19 scored off just 5 balls. He then tried to make it 23 off 6 and was bowled. This brought Jimmy to the crease to join the Dog Crusher and together they made light of the target with excellent running, good shot selection and the ability to time the ball in the gaps.

However, the innings was not without its moments, particularly when Jimmy tried some agricultural shots [Ed: perhaps his week down in west Wales was still fresh in his mind] and was seen to be kicking the crease and heard muttering petulantly to himself. This led to his colleagues beyond the boundary edge striking up a chorus of “Moody, moody, moody, mooody" [Ed: though our duty match reporter is better acquainted with Glen Miller and Count Bassie, he was advised that this is, apparently, some sort of corruption of a Kaiser Chiefs' song], a moniker which was still resonating long after a few pints had been supped. Steaders brought up his 50 (off 41 balls) with a fine on-drive [Ed: described as the great Geoffrey Boycott as probably the hardest shot to play well] and was out with us just 8 runs of the target, finally scoring 62 which included 9 fours. The second wicket had realised 113.

Our other debutant, Richard Davies, strode to the wicket and was able, with Jimmy, to see us home with more than 20 balls to spare. Jimmy scored 40 at a run a ball and Cardiff B‟s, for the second successive match against us, were stunned and speechless wondering what on earth they had to do to beat the Cavaliers, and none of them managed to make it to the pub afterwards so perhaps they went off for more nets practice [Ed: talking of which, Caesar and young George had a good workout in the outdoor nets at the Cathedral School, and if sufficient guys turn up at future games this could become a useful feature].

One would have to search far back in the annals of Cavaliers lore and legend to find the last time we got our League programme off to a start with a victory, and certainly one as resounding as this, taking 14 points out of a possible 15 [Ed: rumour has it that some of the younger members of the club may still have been on their mother‟s knee when it last happened.] Certainly Brownie was going misty-eyed when trying to recall it and failed to notice on entering Caesar‟s car for a lift home that he had entered through a gap created by a sliding door and was seen to snatch several times at thin air as he groped for the door handle at his side that existed only in his imagination, but then decided after several attempts that he must be in some sort of open-sided Pope-mobile and was to be paraded around the streets of Roath to acknowledge the thronged masses who had spilled out on hearing the news of our fine victory!

Dinas Powys, 29 April. Dinas Powys 271 ao (34.4 ovs, M Thomas 3/50, D Parsons 2/45). Cavaliers 36 ao (19.4ovs, J Thomas 9, Simpson 8). Lost by 235 runs

[Ed: our thanks to the & Echo Group's cricket 'stringer' who agreed to cover the match at short notice when the original reporter had to withdraw from the team due to an achilles injury. We hope it hasn't compromised your journalistic integrity, indeed, if such a thing exists at all ...]

Dinas Powys won the toss and elected to bat against a home team showing eight changes from the previous weekend with Matt Thomas and Steve Roake making their Club debuts. Jonathan Davies and Dave Parsons opened the attack on a glorious spring afternoon but made little headway against a classy opening combination. The opening partnership had reached eighty in ten overs with little risk taking when a change of bowling brought the Cavaliers the much needed breakthrough.

Matt made a dream start with his second ball inducing a sliced drive to gully where “Jiffy” took a low tumbling catch worthy of any arena and, as if to prove it was no fluke, repeated the feat two balls later to dismiss the new arrival. However this double strike ushered in a southpaw partnership that dismantled the home attack. Both bad and not so bad deliveries were thumped to the boundary with the No4 exhibiting the Haydenesque tendency of bullying the bowling across all parts of . The suspicion that this was far from the usual Dinas Sunday team was reinforced with both batsman reaching their half centuries [Ed: and an admission from their scorer that this was their only game before starting their League programme next Saturday].

Simpson brought some welcome relief with JT pouching a neat catch to dismiss the opener. Brown exploited the opportunity by deceiving the incomer with a flighted delivery and winning the LBW decision. He continued and gained some small revenge by having No4 caught courtesy of a juggling effort from “ Jiffy” again, but this time on the mid wicket boundary.

The Cavaliers having survived the “eye of the storm” struck back and carved through the late middle order and tail end. Jiffy could not be kept out the action. He took his fourth catch of the innings [Ed: believed to equal the club record held jointly by Richard Bunn and Andy Steadman for the number of fielding catches pouched in a game] in Matt's second spell. As a bowler he then went on to the prolific Ford who appears to have had more clubs than Tiger Woods and then took a return throw to run out a flagging tailender. Parsons reappeared to finish the innings with two clean bowled dismissals in the 35th over and they were dismissed for 271 runs.

While great credit must be taken in dismissing a strong club outfit with almost five overs to spare it must be added that with 45 wides being conceded Dinas actually faced more than 40 overs worth of deliveries. If one deducts the extras plus the subsequent runs accrued from the additional deliveries a far less imposing total would have been achieved by our visitors.

However, it would be churlish not to acknowledge the fine efforts of the starting team. Only one catch was dropped [Ed: and that a very hard return chance to the bowler who was off balance] and the outfielding was solid considering the rough ground, the ferocity of the batsmanship and the warmth of the day. Geoff Lewis stood up manfully behind the stumps and “Gog” in a rare gloveless outing did his Captain Oates moment in sacrificing his Mars Bar in diving to cut off a boundary. Roake will bowl worse and pick up his wickets. Simpson led the side with typical enthusiasm and can be forgiven an uncharacteristic “Paddy” upon hearing criticism of the slow over rate by a spectating club member [Ed: allegedly the skipper was told we might be hearing from the ICC and penalties applied, etc …] Perhaps it should be borne in mind that at the recent World Cup no matter how far Messrs Hayden, Ponting etc smote the ball the opposition were not required to trawl through the debris of half the churchyards of the Caribbean before the game could recommence.

TEA INTERVAL: The Gazebo made its seasonal debut and proved its worth. The food provided by the players was worthy of the occasion. Fortunately Dinas ignored that persistent iconoclast Brown‟s insistence that the Fynnon Wen had branched out into cricketing catering and happily “tucked in.”

The Cavaliers reply began with the bells of the sunlit calling their worshipers to . A powerful image that only required John Major‟s pint of warm beer and a Daily Mail editorial to complete some people‟s vision of a perfect British summer. Sadly the Dinas Powys attack had no such time for reverie and early season pickings was the sole item on their agenda. They ripped into the home side with relish and reduced the Cavaliers to 17 for 5.

Pre-match fears that a batting line up shorn of many of its proven performers could be exposed by experienced club bowlers was horribly confirmed. Julian Clary attempting to down Jonah Lomu in his pomp would have been a fairer contest.

Amongst this carnage the urbane Jonathan Thomas top scored with 9. He graciously admitted that he had enjoyed good fortune, being dropped and seeing the stumps hit but the bails survive from successive deliveries [Ed: having been advised by Gog to see off the opening bowler with a few defensive shots, the next ball was dispatched by JT to the boundary and the polite question was heard from his partner “Was that the block, then?”]. The Hon. Moore, a centurion for both clubs, was shown little respect being defeated by a direct hit from the outfield. It was left to the Rear Gunner Wyn “The Rabbit” Pritchard to stage the final act of defiance by lofting the ball over the gathering vultures of the infield to open his seasonal account. The Cavaliers innings folded on 36. Fortunately most of the passing spectators had long departed. Normally cricketers of the Cavalier standard can be inspired by the presence of an audience. On this occasion however the game is best left to consenting adults indulging their passion in privacy far from the public gaze.

AFTERTHOUGHT: This game was obviously a mismatch. This is always a possibility when we schedule fixtures against clubs with league status at this early part of the season. Naturally enough they look to give their better players an outing before their serious cricket commences. Nonetheless I don‟t think either side were too put out by the obvious disparity and the game was played in good spirit. We should leave talk of record defeats etc to the club anoraks!

More importantly it was great to see at least half a dozen current members in attendance supporting both the team and carrying out the necessary off field assistance to ensure our entertaining ran smoothly, perhaps a much more accurate measure of the rude health the Cavaliers are currently enjoying.

CAVALIERS MAN OF MATCH: Jonathan “Jiffy” Davies

AND FINALLY ... Our Gazebo Liaison Manager, Warwick, wishes it known that this facility is available for short term loans to members for a small donations to club funds (provided this does not clash with Cavaliers commitments). Please contact Warwick if interested.

Barry Wanderers, 21 April. Barry Wand 223/7 (Simpson 2/34, Adams 1/17); Cavaliers 130 ao (29.1 ovs, Steadman Jnr 38, Adams 28). Lost by 93 runs

This was the first time in 3 seasons that we‟ve managed to play the opening game at Sully and it felt more like July than April, with several players smearing sun cream to exposed parts of their anatomy and donning assorted styles of headwear [Ed: more of which later]; while others wished that they had done so by the time we‟d repaired to the pub.

Our illustrious captain continued his fine form with the toss and elected to field first. Rabbit was quickly into his 12th man duties as Huw Parsons, now known as the “late Huw Parsons”, was somewhat delayed in locating the ground and the gentle lapping of the waves on Sully rocks was soon disturbed by Rabbit‟s encouragements to his compatriots. Later, with Huw on the field of play, Rabbit was given permission to hunt out a watering hole from where he could watch the rugby.

Although seeming rock hard, perhaps one reason why Simmo had opted to let his strong, multi-faceted attack have first use of the pitch, the bounce was unpredictable and Gog, doing a marvellous impression of a gymnast warming-up, was kept on his toes behind the stumps. It was in this first half-hour that the Cavaliers debutant, George Hanna, earned his club nickname when, having retrieved the ball from the flowerbeds decided to hurdle the 6-inch high picket fence but failed to clear the topmost part and fell onto the pitch. Apart from his pride, he was unhurt and shall henceforth be known as the “Champion Hurdler” [Ed: and he‟ll be running at Fontwell Park on Thursday].

Wanderers opening pair, though, were cautious, waiting for the occasional loose ball and put on 42 against Panda with his trademark Willis-like stutter in his approach to the crease and Steaders Jnr before Simmo decided on a double-change, entering the attack himself from the wooded end. This brought immediate rewards as he bowled Swannick for 20 and Jimmy completed his first over as a wicket maiden snaring their no3 bat for just a single. We sensed an opportunity but young Kerr looking solid and Finlay, opting for a long reach forward to nullify Jimmy‟s turn and sweeping to good effect, added 61 in 9 overs.

Opting to make the batsmen work for their runs, Simmo switched his bowlers around at one end to good effect while keeping Huw, who was troubling all the batsmen, on at the woods end for his full stint. Huw claimed the next wicket, opener Keir adjudged leg before by a neutral umpire for 37, and finished with 1/33. Steaders returned to the attack and, after hitting Finlay with a full toss just above the hip, beat him all ends up for 33 and the game tilted slightly our way with Wanderers again losing wickets in consecutive overs to reach drinks at 104/4.

However, their skipper Ellis and Barnes rode their luck somewhat, particularly against Huw who had Ellis in all sorts of trouble without winning another LBW or the seeing the ball fall just out of reach of the eager fielders. By this time, Grizz had entered the attack and clearly relishing his new gum-totting role in life got stuck into the task, bowling tightly and taking a well-judged caught & bowled tumbling low to his left.

We then had a curious incident where one of those scientific principles of inverse relationships so beloved of the media who peddle such trivia was noted – a certain Graeme “Agent Smirnov” Brown rushed to the pavilion to get a sweater so as the temperature continued to rise, Brown donned more clothing. Work it out if you can … we couldn‟t!

Ellis clearly had his lucky charm with him as he continued to an unbeaten 52 and despite a late wicket for Panda and a second one for Simmo, deservedly as the batsman had thumped the previous delivery, which had not been a poor ball, over long-off‟s head for a huge six, having him caught off a leading edge by Steaders in the gully. Simmo finished with 2/34 and Grizz 1/17 as Wanderers reached 223/7 which was higher than we might have hoped but a lot less than they may have thought possible when they were 130/4 at 25 overs and looking at 250 plus.

Faced with an imposing but not necessarily unobtainable total, the skipper decided upon “the tortoise and the hare” strategy, opening with young Steaders and old Sparky [Ed: our esteemed Hon Sec, not the chair favoured by certain of our north American cousins in days of old]. Strange to recount – and readers are welcome to check its veracity for themselves in the scorebook – but Jez had a better strike rate than Steaders for the early part of the innings (well, the opening balls anyway).

They looked comfortable and added 17 in 3 overs before Jez feathered the faintest of faint edges to the keeper and walked. It was upon his return to the assembled throng that he learned that his headgear had been the subject of many and assorted comments; the said item atopping his thinning pate being a delightful baggy cricket cap of traditional style from another Cavaliers club, Putney, in alternate royal navy and dark mustard [Ed: more Dijon than English] which he reckoned better helped the scorers to distinguish between the batsmen [Ed: as if anyone was likely to confuse Jez with Steaders] and was described later in the pub as “having a pumpkin on his head”.

Jimmy came in and added 31 in quick time with Steaders before falling to the seemingly innocuous Ashton and kicked himself for failing to notice the ball was too tight on him for the shot and was bowled for 13. Grizz and Steaders looked in good nick until Andy, somewhat unfortunately as he had only that morning tried but unsuccessfully to buy a pair of spikes, slipped as he went back to play the shot and trod on his stumps for our top score of 38 [Ed: readers will be reassured to learn that no dogs were crushed in the making of this dismissal].

Changing umpires proved difficult as Brown mislaid first his shoes, then his cap, then his teeth, then his watch, then his wallet, then his reason … never mind, you get the picture, when the call came he was found wanting and the umpire had to remain on the field for a further over or so before being relieved.

Steaders‟ departure exposed a somewhat fragile middle-order that was uncertain how to play Ashton. Gog, heeding Grizz‟s advice [Ed: never a sound strategy], swished and was caught. The Champion Hurdler strode to the wicket to face his first ball in Cavaliers colours but we shall have to wait a little longer to see what George can do as he received a fiendish delivery first up. Caesar, looking eager and svelte-like after his winter recreation learning Argentinian tango in a manner that would rival Mark Ramprakash [Ed: apparently he's suggested to the Willow League that, in the event of a tied Cup game, there should be a dance-off], fared only a little better, taking 3 balls for a perfectly round figure.

Brownie decided that there was no virtue in playing straight to anything outside off stump and guided two balls to the third man boundary, one going clean through the legs of slip at an eye-watering height. However, he too fell to Ashton for an ambitious but convincing LBW appeal that Steaders upheld despite the angle of the slope which may have led other umpires to consider whether the ball may have continued on down the slope past leg stump but Brownie said he will forgive him … eventually.

Grizz and Simmo continued to try and take the attack to the Wanderers before Grizz, 28, fell to an excellent catch at mid-wicket when a boundary seemed certain. Ross entertained briefly on the legside but as soon as one was pitched on the stumps he departed. Huw survived a close stumping appeal that, had technology been available, would‟ve gone to the 3rd umpire, but only scored 1 before we were all out for 130.

Film buffs take note: whenever the question is raised as to who was in the Magnificent Seven, Cavaliers and Wanderers will not be conjuring with names such as Brunner, Bronson, McQueen and Vaughan, but Marchant, Steadman, Davis, Hanna, Searle, Brown and Adams who were the 7 victims snared by Mike Ashton to return the magnificent and match-winning figures of 8-0-20-7.

It was pleasing to note the throng of non-playing Cavaliers who travelled to support the team - new lads Dominic and Matt, as well as Glyn and JT. Though witnessing us on the losing end, it had been a good match played in friendly and lively spirit by both teams and epitomised the game that is known across the globe as cricket.

AGM – Officers’ Reports & Minutes (presented to 2007 AGM)

Chairman’s report This season saw an influx of new blood following recruitment among colleagues, friends and dog walkers and the launch of the Website which has also been instrumental in allowing us as a team to communicate our message to the nation. This successful use of the internet and technology owes a great deal to our Hon Secretary Jeremy (Dog Whisperer) Sparkes who has filled many a Cavaliers inbox with messages & allowed us to have instant news of selection, results & reports. The season was a success, not only in terms of improved results but also in the great spirit and enjoyment that prevailed even when certain individuals could not pick a winner at the Poole dogs on tour. The tour itself was another fantastic weekend away with a win against very hospitable opposition and a professionally organised venue in Bournemouth. Everyone has said how much they have enjoyed the friendly approach of the team during the season without compromising the desire to compete and win. This is, I believe, the true spirit of the Cavaliers who wish to blend in equal measure competitiveness with sportsmanship. Throughout all the fixtures organised by the Willow League we have been competitive and some of the defeats were by very narrow margins. The strong surge of availability was good to see for the end of season weekends when selection had reserves to fall back on which resulted in two good results against the Barry Wanderers & Athletic in September. It is also encouraging to see the continued interest as we compete in the indoor league and have practice games at the Cathedral School which has seen a dozen Cavaliers continuing the clubs togetherness. These events are in the hands of Mark (Caesar) Searle and Andy (Dog Crusher) Steadman with Jimmy (Ice Tour) Marchant providing a firm hand on the tiller. Some of the issues we will need to consider during the coming season are:- (1) How to organise the pre-season nets venue which gives us as a team the best use of space and time to practice and develop the skills necessary to compete with practiced skill and fitness. This coming year the most suitable venue appears to be the Cathedral School where we have been practicing since before . (2) Looking ahead to the big 30 of 2008 and Graeme Brown has been collating the information of how we manage and organise that celebratory tour. This means that for the 2007 tour we plan to look for a venue closer to home – possibly West Wales or similar. (3) The home ground we have used for the past few years at Llandaff Oval has not improved in terms of facilities and the ground staff let us down on occasions this last season in terms of pitch preparation. We have therefore been looking further a field to see if a better arrangement exists. On a personal note it was wonderful to see so many Cavaliers at the Annual Dinner where the President Graham (Joey) Newbury revived the spirit of Minehead with his auctioned mini signed bat that helped in raising funds for the club. Also the ingenuity shown to play guess the number of emails in Jeremy (Oracle) Sparkes mailbox that raised funds for the Botham charity walk. Also to have managed to play in a number of games this season that I believe as a team we played well and which were enjoyable. Long may it continue for us all. It only remains for me to thank all the other committee members for their invaluable contributions John (Nigel Havers) Thomas as the Hon Treasurer who watches the stock market hedge funds for us, Jeremy who‟s hard work in Administration of the clubs affairs is second to none and Graeme (Bish) Brown & Warwick (Victor Sylvester) Armstrong who have contributed enormous amounts of energy to the organisation of our tours. I would also like to thank the other individuals whose contributions are vital Glyn (Spin Doctor) Poulsom whose help and advice are always invaluable & Nigel (Griz) Adams who has organised the fixtures. Also Martin (Nuts trampler) Buckle who acts as our baggage master along with all those who have supported us in the games and other events throughout the year. Finally the captain Mark (Simmo) Simpson and vice-captain Nick (Pompey) Hutchings who are our on the field supremos along with all those who have played for the Cavaliers during the season. We look forward to 2007 in a healthy position with a sound base and great commitment to the team and its members. Steve (Gog) Davis Captain’s report Our end of season dinner, seeing unprecedented numbers, was in my opinion testimony to a successful season full of spectacle and great team spirit. Alas, there was no silverware in 2006. How can we then consider this a success? Let us look at some of the facts. From a results point of view matters have improved:

 Our win loss ratio improved – 11:21 compared to 6:23 in 2005.  We won 2 weekend games and tied a third whereas we did not record a weekend victory last season.  We narrowly missed out on qualification in the Shield competition finishing 7th in the league – our highest finish for many a season.

We may not have retained the Plate but were runners up losing out to whom I‟m sure you‟ll all agree were worthy victors and a strong side, The Consmen, against whom we did not register a victory in 2006 and, if they had played in the League, I‟m certain would have made the Shield competition in any event. We managed to share the “Ashes” with Chartered Trust.

The overall record of P 33 W 11 L 21 D 1 to the untrained Cavalier eye may still look poor but, in historical perspective, is not bad at all. We were particularly competitive in the mid week games and need to take into account the several narrow defeats we suffered. Some great scalps were taken such as Legal & General and Barry Wanderers on their home grounds, upsetting Rhiwbina in an early season epic and a dramatic last over victory against last season‟s league winners Chartered Trust to tie the “Ashes”. A scintillating record for a successful run chase was set against the Oz Bar Wizards with electrifying performances from our record breaking batsman Warwick Armstrong ably supported by Nick (Pompey) Hutchings and James (Jimmy) Marchant.

2006 saw the Cavaliers emerge as a more competitive force than in some previous years. At a time when the standard of Willow League Cricket is improving I put this down to several factors. Fantastic administration by Jez (dog whisperer) Sparkes by means of excellent communication of information & access to our own “cyber space clubhouse” in his development of our fabled team web site, continuing strong recruitment largely as a result of this, a great team spirit and, in my opinion most importantly of all this season, an extra edge to our batting attack. I felt that the top order batsmen were our backbone and provided a platform for the rest of us to work from. Mr Duffy leading the way with a superb 62 in Penarth exemplifying the improvements us bowlers were inspired to! Apart from our record breaker Warwick (Wazza) Armstrong (670 season runs), special mention must go to Andy (steady Steaders!) Steadman (scoring a brilliant ton at Rogerstone and leading the averages with a wopping 47), Nick, Jimmy and good old Nigel (Grizz) Adams who showed true grit and character in a superb innings versus Barry Wanderers.

From a bowling perspective I felt we lacked a cutting edge at times but did put in some workmanlike performances. Jimmy and Ross led the way with great control and economy whilst I felt that our pace boy Duffy was very unlucky not to snag more wickets given the amount of times he beat the bat. Well done to Grizz for getting our only Five wicket haul and to Osian Griffith for bagging 3 wickets in one game in his debut season. Special mention must go to Graeme (Bish) Brown on recording his 200th recorded wicket – if we were to believe him he has probably bagged more wickets than Warney if records ran from the beginnings of Cavalier history! Well done (Osian, at least you can breathe a sigh of relief after dropping that catch on the 200th at Caerleon eh?!)

On a personal note I would like to thank the club for their support to me during the season. In particular to Nick, Jimmy and Ross for your on field tactical skills, to Steve (Gog) Davis for all your enthusiastic chivvying from behind the stumps and friendly support and leadership, Warwick for your “Aberdare” spirit and Glyn and Grizz for your continued support and advice. It was an honour and privilege to Captain the side.

As a little footnote to the season I would just like to mention the Indoor Cricket we have been playing. Great organisation by another new recruit in 2006, Mr Mark (Caesar) Searle and a fantastic team spirit resulting in back to back victories in our last 2 games after a torrid time to start with in what is a very competitive league. The net sessions arranged to improve our performance say a lot about those guys involved. Onward and upward. All the best. Mark (Simmo) Simpson Secretary’s report

Others will cover the efforts and successes on the field so I‟ll address the off-field administration. Firstly the things that seemed to have worked well this year:

 Web site: feedback suggests this has been helpful, giving us a sort of “cyber clubhouse” in the absence of a physical base; also helped to recruit new players  Continued use of email/texts for availability, etc: thanks for prompt responses. Last year I suggested it might be a retrograde step to revert to telephone tag & relying on third parties – c.3,000 email messages on my PC and over 300 txts suggest that such a reversion would take us back to the „dark ages‟ and be more costly  Recruitment & „induction‟: a larger pool meant we did not have to cancel any game because we couldn‟t raise a team, even with a string of injuries (at one point, 11 people were ill/injured). Also meant selectors had to make decisions for several games  Nets were well attended (but see improvements below)  Liaison with opposition was straightforward and we were received in a good spirit  Willingness of everyone to play their part in packing/transporting kit, collecting match fees, doing scoring etc (but see improvements below)  Dinner: unprecedented numbers attended and voted for Player/Clubman, highlighting the value of having it so soon after the season‟s end; certainly it made it a much easier task to get folk to commit to coming, paying deposit and voting

Now a few things that I think would benefit from change or improvement for 2007:

 Match fees: it would help if everyone had their match fee (particularly mid-week) with their kit and that this was in the form of 2x£1 coins or a £2 coin to aid banking  Fixtures: weekend balance is probably about right. Could consider adding 2-3 more mid-week friendlies in June/early July when days are longest  Webmaster: to take on the management of the web site (the main work has been done on setting it up and so only needs c. 30-45 mins/week to collate info, eg. team news, match reports, etc)  Extra nets to accommodate larger numbers attending: either have additional nets and/or longer net sessions  Home ground: need to decide whether an alternative venue would be preferable (see the options summary set out in separate document)  Umpiring/scoring: host a fun event to help folk feel confident with these vital tasks  Fixture clashes: revert to previous custom and practice of NOT arranging games when have home fixtures. We failed to field 11 Cavaliers at 5 games: Geoff‟s wedding day (he assures me he won‟t be doing that again this year), when Rabbit got his “T‟s” confused (tomorrow, Tuesday and Thursday) and a run of injuries at the start of the holiday season. However, two were avoidable as they clashed with Glamorgan‟s only 2 weekend home one-day games attended by 3 Cavaliers who would otherwise have been able to play  Charabanc day: despite the stated wish that folk would like to have a game where a minibus is used for a Sunday fixture, there wasn‟t enough support when this was arranged for game at Caerleon. Suggest that a game is indicated on the fixture list from the outset and this becomes an integral part of availability/selection.

With regard to other matters, I am grateful to Caesar for taking on arrangements for our indoor team & autumn practices. He did a fine job and everyone seemed to enjoy it. The Willow League encountered a large number of teams failing to fulfil fixtures. This will be discussed at the League‟s Spring meeting.

Finally, as with last year, I would like to commend the great spirit of all those who have played and supported, and for the good natured way in which the club has been led on and off the field. Many of you have commented on how enjoyable the season has been but it is yourselves – your attitude, willingness to help and sense of fun – that has made it so. Jeremy Sparkes Treasurer’s report The 2006 season has ended with the Cavaliers in excellent shape financially with £781.25 available ahead of next year (funds in cash and in bank £817.25 less amount due for December nets of £36). Below is a detailed Income & Expenditure Account and I comment as follows:

Membership. We attracted 29 fully paid up members to the club this year (revenue £725) – the highest number for many years. We also generated a further £66.50 from additional membership fees relating to the indoor leagues. Match fees. “Normal” match fees generated £836 with a further £180 from the indoor league. This season has again proved that a £25.00 subscription plus £2.00 or £3.00 per game is not perceived as excessive by the membership. League and affiliation fees. These are significantly higher than in previous years as they include £288 relating to the indoor league (see below) Indoor League. This was our first “serious” participation in the Cardiff indoor cricket league and represented a net cost to us of just £59.50 as follows: Costs - £472 (league fees of £288, autumn net hire, paid and due £144, indoor balls £40) Revenue – £412.50 (membership £66.50, match fees £180, net hire fees £166) Club dinner. Our healthy finances meant we were able to subsidise this to the tune of £126.00 – a small gesture of thanks to those who represented the club over the course of the season.

There are no current commitments but our surplus means we can consider some outlay, eg.  Equipment (new kit bag, balls, new bat)  Annual cost of maintaining the website (an excellent investment given its value to us).

We are setting up a separate bank account through which all tour revenue and expenditure will flow. Full details will be available shortly in advance of making the first collections for our 30th anniversary tour and the subsequent standing orders we will require from the 2008 tourists.

The running of a club such as ours is largely based on the goodwill of the members. From a financial perspective this is demonstrated by your early payment of annual subs, payment of match fees when requested and prompt payment for dinners, tours etc. I would like to express my gratitude to all members for making my job so easy again in 2006. Jonathan Thomas

Cardiff Cavaliers Cricket Club

Season 2006

Income and Expenditure Account Funds Flow £ £ 2005 Income

670.00 Membership fees 791.50 Opening balance (1 January 2006) 953.10 100.00 Net fees 272.00 722.25 Match fees 986.00 Net in/(out)flow for the year to date -135.85 0.00 Amounts due re. previous years 0.00 0.00 Bank interest 0.00 Closing balance 817.25 268.50 Other 80.40 980.00 Tours 954.00 0.00 Cavalier Clothing 0.00 415.00 Club Dinners 510.00 Represented by: 3,155.75 3,593.90 Balance at bank 800.20 Expenditure Cash in hand 17.05

450.30 Pitch hire 545.45 120.00 Nets hire 198.00 Funds available 817.25 95.00 League/affiliation fees 353.00 169.99 Equipment 276.98 less Known commitments 327.75 Teas 321.70 nets hire 7 & 14 Dec -36.00 85.50 Trophies 123.35 950.00 Tour 1,099.20 522.00 Dinners 666.00 49.51 Expenses 146.07 Cavalier Clothing

2,770.05 3,729.75

385.70 Net inflow/(outflow) -135.85 Funds available 781.25 Cardiff Cavaliers Cricket Club Annual General Meeting: Minutes (approved at 2008 AGM) 28 January 2007, USM, Cardiff

Present: Steve Davis (Chair), Glyn Poulsom, Nigel Adams, Warwick Armstrong, Martin Buckle, Joey Newbury, Dave Parsons, Wyn Pritchard, Mark Simpson, Jimmy Marchant, Jeremy Sparkes, Nick Hutchings, Jonathan Thomas and Mark Searle

Apologies: Riaz Anwar, Ross Bowen, Graeme Brown, Wayne Childs, Jonathan Davies, Jason Duffy, George Hanna, John Keane, Geoff Lewis, Alan Ward, Andrew Steadman, Steve Roake and Alastair Steadman

1. Minutes of the previous AGM held on 29 January 2006 were approved as a correct record.

2. Chairman’s Report (full report provided in advance to members) Good influx of new blood and a successful year on and off the field. Good sense of camaraderie and support. With a strong base to work from, much to look forward to in 2007.

3. Captain’s Report (full report provided in advance to members) Revised win/loss ratio when taking into account matches conceded by opposition or lost on toss of coin. Disappointed to miss out on Shield but still our highest placing for many years. Strong batting performances but bowlers were unlucky at times. Indoor participation has been good. Secretary: captain’s own efforts with the ball as leading wicket-taker in the season and that he had finished just 2 short of the all-time club record.

4. Secretary’s Report (full report provided in advance to members) Job made easier by folks’ willingness to help with certain tasks and responding promptly to emails and texts. Suggestions for changes/improvements would be picked up later on in the agenda.

5. Treasurer’s Report (full report provided in advance to members) Increased membership and fielding full teams had improved cash inflow and led to strong finances so club was in good shape for 2007. Martin Buckle: asked whether net outflow a concern? Treasurer: no, this was simply due to timing of outgoings, eg. when tour monies are paid; expects 2007 to be more even.

6. Election of Committee Officers The following were elected un-opposed: Chairman: Steve Davis (moved by Glyn Poulsom, seconded by Martin Buckle) Captain: Mark Simpson (moved by Nigel Adams, seconded by Wyn Pritchard). He indicated that he would likely wish to delegate the captaincy for future indoor participation so that he could have a break. Secretary: Jeremy Sparkes (moved by Wyn Pritchard, seconded by Mark Searle). He indicated this would be his final year serving in this capacity. Treasurer: Jonathan Thomas (moved by Glyn Poulsom, seconded by Mark Simpson)

Vice-Captain will also join the Committee once chosen by the Captain.

7. Subscriptions and Budget for the 2007 Season Treasurer proposed that these be: £25 member subscription (due by 31 May; thereafter, rises to £30), £3 match fee for weekend games and £2 match fee for midweek games. This was agreed.

8. Kit Inventory Martin Buckle advised this was documented and he would do pre-season check and buy any items required, in consultation with the Treasurer.

9. Tour Arrangements for 2007 Nigel Adams will be 2007 tour manager, with Ross Bowen assisting. Three options: (1) DIY in west Wales; (2) Shire Sports arrangement; (3) Pengwern Sports in Bridgnorth. Strong feeling for option 1 and Grizz would prepare a proposal by the end of February for the committee.

10. Nets Following concerns at limited time for netting in 2006 pre-season, 6 sessions of 1.5 hours each had been booked at the Cathedral School for Thursdays between 8.00-9.30 pm, starting 15 March.

11. Home venue Different options were discussed, with Penarth eliminated due to the difficulties in traveling there mid- week. With several sharing concerns about Llandaff Oval and the quality of council pitches it was agreed that the Club would seek to use the Cathedral School for the 1st part of the season and then switch to Llandaff Oval for the remaining home games in Aug/Sep. Glyn Poulsom was asked to explore with Llandaff Rugby Club regarding using their facilities for showering and post-match conviviality.

12. Draft Fixture List Nigel Adams explained that the members’ desire some years back to play more weekend fixtures had caused some unavoidable overlap with Glamorgan home games but he would endeavour to avoid this where possible. Warwick Armstrong supported the idea that one fixture be identified early on as the charabanc day and also wondered if folk might like to consider doing as Hurricanes do for the Clytha Arms fixture and go the day before and camp overnight. Dave Parsons asked whether members might have access to a minibus.

13. Willow League Secretary said he and Chairman would attend AGM on 6 February. A possibility the League may be smaller this year (10 clubs instead of 12) but this may create leeway in fixtures for some extra friendlies/practice games. It was also possible the points system may be changed but whatever system was used, the captain and vice-captain would be briefed on it. Mark Searle asked whether an alternative to tossing a coin to decide a cup tie could be found but it was felt that there was no obvious alternative to propose. Glyn Poulsom advised that Hurricanes had decided not to apply to join the League.

14. 30th anniversary preparations Tour: FAQs were circulated and this would be available on web site later this week. Four bookings had already been received. Agreed a vote of thanks to Graeme Brown for his hard work on this. Club history: Warwick Armstrong wished the need to be confirmed and its purpose and production media to be clarified. All present felt it was important to record this information and web-based was probably best.

15. Any Other Business Web master: Secretary asked for a volunteer to help with collating info for the web site during the course of the season (approx. 30-45 mins/week) but no-one present was able to help. Dinner timing: Nigel Adams expressed his surprise and disappointment that this had been held so early and felt this view was shared. A brief discussion indicated that the majority preferred it being closer to the season’s end but they were happy to trust the judgment of the committee as to the most suitable timing. Coaching session: Mark Searle suggested this would be helpful. Vote of thanks to the committee was agreed.

16. Life President’s Closing Remarks Joey Newbury highlighted the turnround in fortunes over the past 3-4 years, with it now being self-supporting financially and with a good mix of players and convivial atmosphere. ------