An uphill battle now...

Two disappointing displays from Glamorgan, with comfortable defeats to Northants away, and Warwicks home.

We just don't seem to be at the races, and quite frankly look outclassed by better players.

We face a struggle to finish in the top 3 of the group, important because that's needed for qualification for the 1st division of next year's EPL or P20 or whatever it's called.

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Pics from Warwickshire at Cardiff

Glamorgan get 1st 20/20 win

Glamorgan got off the mark in the Twenty 20 Cup with a comfortable win over Gloucestershire in Cardiff.

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Mark Cosgrove and Jamie Dalrymple batted excellently, and there was good bowling from Cosgrove and Ryan Watkins.

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A heartening display after Monday's shambles, and a much needed turnaround.

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Clips here and here.

Cosgrove faces Richard Dawson

Jamie Dalrymple bowling to the Glos tail

Garnett Kruger bowling

Glamorgan v Somerset 20/20

Not many counties could fail to chase down 114 in 20 overs these days.

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Especially when it gets down to 20 needed off 4 overs with 6 wickets in hand.

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But if any county can, Glamorgan can, and they did.

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Pathetic!

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Some clips here and here.

Pics

21 today

Well I wish I was!

It's a big one actually, but hey who worries?

It's still a world of bands, cricket and rugby for me....and long may it continue.

Thanks for the cards and messages!

Update and stuff

Not much to report.

Glamorgan got a 2nd win in the FPT - as the skipper said, it's the sort of win we used to see as routine. Now we get excited when we chase down 212 in 50 overs versus Derbyshire. Never mind, all wins boost confidence.

The 20/20 Cup starts on Monday - not my personal favourite, but hey it's got it's place. My main problem is not the cricket, but the crowds of neanderthal, cider swigging yobs it attracts who haven't got a clue about the game.

Of course, I'll be there!

Very quiet on the Ebbw front. Plenty of players seem to have gone as predicted, but not much news of what's coming in. Hmm, not optimistic for 2009/10.

On the gig front, I'm booked in for my third Hard Rock Hell, making it 100% attendance so far, at Pontins Prestatyn in December, joining a few Ebbw legends there.

Anyway, there we are.

Has Matthew Maynard lost the plot?

Matthew Maynard is one of my favourite cricketers of all time.

For 20 years he was the backbone of Glamorgan's batting, and many of us enjoyed watching him.

But is he any sort of cricket manager?

On Tuesday night, he recalled Robert Croft even though MM had already stated that Croft wouldn't play 50 over cricket. We got stuffed because we didn't score enough runs.

Who gets dropped? Croft - the finest all rounder ever produced by Glamorgan.

There seems to be no limit to Maynard's personal animosity to Croft and his determination to drive him out of the club.

And what was that nonsense about batting the sub standard Ryan Watkins at 3, a player who hasn't been in the squad all season? In fact, he took the place of Maynard's boy, Tom, who scored an unbeaten 50 versus Essex only a week ago.

I'm having serious doubts about Maynard as the man manager at the club.

Beholder release single with proceeds for S.O.P.H.I.E.

ON MAY 11th BEHOLDER WILL BE RELEASING THE SINGLE - "NEVER TAKE US DOWN" - WITH ALL PROCEEDS GOING TO THE SOPHIE LANCASTER FOUNDATION.

Check it out here.

Latest Glamorgan news

Unfortunately, the boys folded badly yesterday down in Kent, and failed to bat out the day for a draw.

Credit to Ben Wright for sticking it out for the most part with 81, but there was little else at the other end.

A spell of white ball cricket now follows - Essex home on Tuesday live on Sky, and Lancashire home Friday.

Good news, Mark Cosgrove and James Harris seem fit again, and surprise surprise Robert Croft gets a recall!

Saxon and Doro - Bristol Academy 4th May 2009

What a blinding night at the Bristol Academy last night (all pics'n'clips by me).

First up, Sweet Savage who were good, and then the main acts.

Doro

A splendid support set from the 1st lady of metal, with numbers going back all the way to 1984 such as Metal Racer. We also had a brilliant cover of Breaking The Law.

Also, click onto video clips of You're My Family and the Warlock anthem All We Are.

Doro the band

Doro Pesch @ 45 (celebrating over 25 years in rock)





Saxon

They say one of the best things about never being in fashion is that you never go out of fashion, and maybe Saxon are one of those bands. A brilliantly loyal following, but never getting the critical acclaim (or commercial success) that the Iron Maidens and Metallicas have enjoyed over the years.

That said these Yorkshire warriors are enjoying something of a revival and their live set shows us why - power, volume, brilliant vocals and a back catalogue that some bands could only dream of.

Approximate set list:

1. Battlions of Steel.
2. Heavy Metal Thunder (video clip)
3. Demon Sweeney Todd.
4. Ride Like The Wind.
5. Witchfinder General.
6. Strong Arm of the Law. (video clip)
7. The Valley of the Kings.
8. And the Bands Played On. (video clip)
9. Hell Cat.
10. 20,000 Feet.
11. Come Rock of Ages (The Circle is Complete).
12. Never Surrender.
13. Wheels of Steel.
14. Live to Rock.
15. Motorcycle Man.
16. Crusader.
17. 747 (Strangers in the Night).
18. Denim and Leather.
19. Princess of the Night.

Biff addresses the crowd

Saxon's Nibbs Carter and his bass (during the gig)

Saxon's Nibbs Carter and his nibbs (before the gig)

Saxon in action

Biff gets sweaty


Biff and Doro sing '747'

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There's a more detailed review here.

Saxon tonight in Bristol

Really looking forward to the magnificence of NWOBHM legends Saxon at the Bristol Academy tonight.

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Looks like they're doing over 20 numbers, including all the classics.

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And they're supported by the superb Doro Pesch of Warlock fame. Splendid!

Pics'n'clips to follow with a bit of luck.

Superb win for Glamorgan @ Essex

What a superb win for the boys down at Chelmsford yesterday.

A ton from Gareth Rees, and superb knocks from Mark Cosgrove, Mike Powell and Tom Maynard meant that we chased down nearly 300 with 4 overs to spare.

Detail here.

Aberavon away

Good luck Ebbw in the final fixture of the season at the Talbot Athletic Ground.

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A disappointing year overall. Perhaps we can finish on a high?

Glamorgan draw versus Derbyshire

Glamorgan certainly enjoyed the better of Derbyshire in Cardiff this week, with only the rain saving the Midlands county.
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Glam certainly look a much more competitive outfit this year, with Jamie Dalrymple looking to be an excellent choice as skipper.

Jamie Dalrymple passes 100 as he thrives on the responsibility of captaincy

100 for Mike Powell, who seems set for a good season.

Jamie Dalrymple in bowling action

The magnificent Robert Croft, as good as ever

Also check out the you tube links.