Wales 199/10 (38.0overs)
R. Davis 74
D. Quick 50
Tom Meskell 4/26
Lancashire 144/10 (36.4overs)
Rory McIntyre 79
M. Weatherby 3/27
C. Margetts 3/11
Wales won by 55 runs.
As the Bank Holiday weekend arrived so did the trip to South Wales. A change of venue meant we didn't need to travel far on the Sunday morning as we headed down the valley to Ebbw Vale CC. Weather apps were in full use as the rains looked to come in around tea time. Wales won the toss and took the first opportunity to bat as the sun beat down on the former county ground.
For Lancashire openers Robert Wight and Waqass Khan looked to strike early and apply pressure to the home side and both made a decent start but unfortunately any bad balls were despatched to the ropes. As chances arose, unfortunately the drive down looked to be taking its toll as the ball either went through the hands or fell just out of reach.
Davis took his chances and continued to score at a regular rate with the support of Martin. O'Neill, Fisher and Harris came into the attack but were unable to find a breakthrough but finally it was Meskell who was able to break the partnership bowling Martin for 30.
Davis and Quick continued to punish the loose ball before Rory McIntyre kept his nerve to take the catch off the bowling of Khan to remove Davis for 74. Shortly afterwards Harris was on hand to take a catch off O’Neill to remove Quick for 50 and a composed pick up and return from Fisher saw Weathersby return to the pavilion.
At 170/4 with 14 overs to go, a big target was on the cards, but Lancashire then stepped up to the plate, led by Meskells fine display including a caught and bowled and a direct hit run out. Wales lost 6 wickets adding just 29 runs.
Meskell wrapped things up removing Williams off stump to finish with bowling figures of 4 wickets for 26 runs. If we thought the start of the first innings was bad, then the 2nd half was much worse. A run out on the 2nd ball of the innings was followed up by an outstanding catch in the deep to remove Harris and then an overhead catch to remove Meskell saw Lancashire staring down the barrel of the gun at 4/3 with 3 inform batters back in the pavilion.
Rory McIntyre had other plans than to have a short day, and using his experience he was able to guide the less experienced batters through. With the valuable support of Fisher (20) and Foster (13), the visitors were able to work their way along to each points target in reply.
Rory despite an early scare was able to punish the loose bowling and rotate the strike to keep the score progressing.
Unfortunately for the travelling team, exhaustion kicked in and he was trapped LBW for a valiant 79 runs, helping the team to the 140 mark. We were unable to push onto the next target of 150 and ended up all out for 144, a score that looked more challenging in the end. The 1st team now have their rest week in 2 weeks time before heading to Shropshire. We are currently looking for any clubs interested in hosting us in a friendly fixture on Sunday 8th June.