Bill Frindall R.I.P.

I am extremely sad tonight to hear of the death of the great cricket scorer and statistician Bill Frindall, 'The Bearded Wonder'.

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Just over a week ago I received a old scorebook direct from Bill Frindall. In the spirit of the man, it was signed by him and personally addressed to me. I can't believe that a few days later he's no longer with us.

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In the company of Bill Frindall, Sydney, January 2007

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To paraphrase one former Prime Minister,

"Test Match Special will never be the same"

R.I.P.

Cozzie signs!

Glamorgan have confirmed today that they've secured the services of South Australian left hander, Mark Cosgrove, for the 1st 2 months of the season.

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He's a decent bat and puts his full weight behind the ball!

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Cozzie fielding by us in Colwyn Bay, August 2006

Let's hope he does a good job for us before Herschelle Gibbs arrives in late June.

Swansea home in the Cup

It seems I was granted half of my wishes...and we shouldn't be too greedy should we?

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Swansea at home is Ebbw's reward for overcoming Ynysybwl. Winnable yet loseable. It could have been worse.

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At least I'll get to see a match during February!

Newport away and stuff

We now enter a very barren period for us followers of proper club (not 'regional') rugby.

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After next Saturday's visit to Newport, Ebbw don't have a home league fixture until 28th February.

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Point number 1: I won't be going to Newport. I don't like the club, the supporters, their attitude, the ground, and I won't give them any of my allegedly hard earned money. In fact, I wouldn't give them the peel off my orange.

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#2: I won't be going to Llanelli on Tuesday 10th February (who does these fixtures?). Ditto all of the above comments.

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#3: Why oh why do club sides who have no International players have to stop playing when the 6 Nations is on? It drives the devil into me. I like the 6 Nations on TV, but not as much as standing in the cold and the rain watching the Vale - weird I know, but there you are.

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I suppose the best we can hope for is a decent draw in the next round of the Cup to be played on 21st February. Knowing my luck it'll be away to either Newport or Llanelli - see points 1 and 2!. Let's hope it's Llantwit Fardre home!

Ebbw Vale 41 Ynysybwl 17

Ebbw Vale overcame a spirited Ynysybwl resistance to run out winners 41-17 in a disjointed and often shapeless display.

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Nevermind, a win is a win and on we go to the last 16. Let's hope for a home draw and avoid the other Premier Division sides.

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There was a good second half try from Andrew McLaughlin which is available here.

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Ebbw Vale 19 Bridgend 19

Ebbw Vale salvaged a draw with 3 second half penalties against an inventive and street wise Bridgend outfit.

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With a strong wind at their backs, Ebbw somehow managed to go in half time 14-10 down, partly due to some 'strange' refereeing decisions. Another Bridgend try at the start of the second half meant Ebbw were up against it into the wind, but battled hard to secure a draw.

Next week sees Ebbw entertain Ynysybwl in the Cup.

Another blank weekend :(

Disappointingly, but not surprisingly, another weekend without an Ebbw match to watch as the visit to Pontypridd was called off over 24 hours in advance.

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Let's hope that the milder weather will mean that we have some rugby to watch before the Six Nations TV feast in February means that our clubs have to stop playing - never worked that one out myself.

Cross Keys home

On Saturday, we entertain, in theory at least, Cross Keys at home.

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With the Arctic temperatures we've had over the New Year period, there must be severe doubts as to this game going ahead.

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Best keep an eye on the forecast and the Ebbw website.

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The game was postponed on Saturday morning.