Wales NC V Wiltshire CCC @ Llandysul CC

NCCA KO Trophy 19th June 2022

In the picturesque setting of Llandysul CC, Wiltshire were hoping to continue the good form shown against Staffordshire last week. Unfortunately Wales had other ideas. The toss was won by Wiltshire who opted to field and chase whatever target Wales could set. Wales began steadily with Friend 22, and Nicholls 44, putting on 46 runs for the first wicket until Friend became Chris Aubrey’s first victim – one of 5 catches for wicketkeeper Jake Goodwin. Wales progressed steadily throughout with Bevans 43 and Herring 33 being the main contributors although everyone played their part. Skipper Ed Young was the pick of the bowlers with 4 for 28. Joe King and Arthur Godsal each took a wicket with Chris Aubrey getting another wicket as Jake Goodwin caught his Potterne teammate Bull 17. Wales eventually totalled 234 including a flurry of sixes in the final overs with the loss of 8 wickets, but would it be enough?

When your reporter emerged after a splendid lunch provided by our excellent hosts at Llandysul CC Wiltshire were already in trouble at 10 for 2 with openers Goodwin and Mynott already back in the pavilion. The carnage continued with the Welsh bowling attack of Morris 2 for 15, Edwards 3 for 23, Jardine 2 for 20 and Bull 3 for 26 cutting through the Wiltshire team like the proverbial knife through butter. Wicketkeeper Herring matched his Wiltshire counterpart with 5 caught behind the stumps as Wiltshire limped to a disappointing total of 85 all out. Only 3 players made it into double figures – Young 12, Stearman 10 and number eleven batsman Joe King who top scored with 21 not out putting some of his colleagues to shame. Wales completed a comprehensive victory by 149 runs taking them to the top of the Group 4 table with a showdown match against Dorset next Sunday 26th June.