Autumn Gig Guide: The Steelhouse and beyond - from New York to Ebbw Vale

There's some rather splendid gigs coming up over the Autumn / pre-Christmas, which I shall undoubtedly be partaking in. Here goes:
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Fri 30th Sept: Warrior Soul @ The Steelhouse, Ebbw Vale RFC
Fri 14th Oct: The Answer @ The Steelhouse, Ebbw Vale RFC (a sellout!)
Sat 15th Oct: Y&T @ The Coal Exchange, Cardiff
Wed 16th Nov: Glenn Hughes @ The Glee Club, Cardiff
Fri 18th Nov: Dizzy Lizzy @ The Steelhouse, Ebbw Vale RFC
Sun 27th Nov: Deep Purple (the greatest band in the world ever) @ NEC Birmingham
Fri 2nd / Sat 3rd Dec: Hard Rock Hell 5 including Magnum and Ace Frehley @ Pontins Prestatyn
Wed 7th Dec: Whitesnake @ Newport.
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Now that should keep me going!

Ebbw Vale 44 Gilfach Goch 18, 24/09/11

Ebbw Vale returned to winning ways, after their one point reversal at Bargoed last week, with an impressive bonus point victory over the early season pacesetters Gilfach Goch.

4 tries were in the bag by half time, and with 2 more after the break, including a hatrick for right wing speedster Wes Cunliffe, the Steelmen turned in their best display of the season so far (despite having to wear shirts with a salmon tinge - bring back the hoops!)

From the Ebbw Vale website:

"Ebbw's man of the match was tighthead prop Jon Williams who was part of a very effective and highly destructive front row unit with Ross Jones and Ben Parry, as well as replacements Mathew Williams and Josh Powell.

Team:

Dan Haymond, Wes Cunliffe, Dan Deardon, Tristan Davies, Tom Daly; Dorian Jones, Derrick Tredray; Ross Jones, Ben Parry, Jon Williams; Damien Hudd, Callum Brennan; Nicky Coughlin, Ronnie Keynes, Ashley Sweet. Bench: Josh Powell, Mathew Williams, Nathan Ace, Gareth James, Tom Macpherson."
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First half pics
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Second half pics
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Ebbw visit Treorchy next Saturday.

England v India, ODI, Lord's, 11/09/11

Our annual trip to Lord's this year was to catch the ODI between England and India, which ended in a part dramatic / part farcical Duckworth Lewis tie.

With thanks to London Underground, we had a walk from Baker Street on Sunday morning, not what you want with a 10.15 start.

India's innings faltered until a blistering stand from Dhoni and Raina ensured that they posted a respectable 280 which delighted the travelling hoardes from, err, Southall and Ealing.

But, as with other games in the series, India's bowling was weak and England chipped away at the target until rain brought a premature end with the scores level on the DL method. Ravi Bopara scored an excellent 96.

Scorecard

Pics

Steven Finn
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Rahul Dravid

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Bopara

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Gloucestershire v Glamorgan, Day 3, Bristol, 02/09/11

An astonishing 17 wickets fell on a topsy turvy day at Bristol, but ultimately it was Gloucestershire who held the whip hand and closed needing only another 133 runs for victory on the final day.

Glamorgan were made to pay dearly for a disastrous afternoon session during which they lost 8 wickets for 128 runs. This was after an excellent fight back during the morning's play when they managed to force a 37 run lead on first innings. Unfortunately, being dismissed for 148 second time around looked like being their undoing in this game, and a rare Gloucestershire victory over the daffodil county beckoned.

Scorecard

Gloucestershire started well but wickets tumbled

Nick James defends, Hamish Marshall watches

Will Bragg leaves

Jon Lewis to Stewart Walters

Walters c Coughtrie b Lewis 0


The County Ground, Bristol in late summer

Lewis to Allenby

Lewis (again) to Bragg

Mark Wallace plays and misses

The view from the Jessop Stand

Bragg defends

More pressure from Glos

By the end of the day, Glos were batting again

Gloucestershire v Glamorgan, Day 1, Bristol, 31/08/11

Glamorgan closed Day 1 of their County Championship clash with Gloucestershire marginally in the ascendancy largely due to a watchful 63 from Will Bragg and an excellent 78 from Jim Allenby.

They recovered from a disastrous start where Gareth Rees fell for 0, due also to a patient 40 from makeshift opener Nick James. With Mark Wallace scoring another valuable 42, the Welsh county will be hopeful of adding to the total on Day 2.

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Pics
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Nick James drives

Will Bragg defends

Bristol

Bragg turns it off his legs

James looking solid
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Glamorgan v Lancashire, CB40, Colwyn Bay, 20/08/11

A superb Sunday afternoon's cricket at Colwyn Bay saw Glamorgan victorious by 69 runs in the CB40 tournament.

In front of a packed holiday crowd, Glamorgan posted a massive 328 off 33 overs, the highlight of which was a brilliant 144 from captain Alviro Petersen. He was well supported by Gareth Rees 76, Stewart Walters 51 no and Graeme Wagg 31 no.

Scorecard

Pics

Sajid Mahmood to Alviro Petersen

Petersen passing 100


Packing them in on the bank at Rhos on Sea

In the garden. "Can we have our ball back?

Graeme Wagg
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This followed up an excellent win over Leicestershire in the 4 day Championship match.

Glamorgan v Leicestershire, Day 4, Colwyn Bay,19/08/11

Glamorgan closed out an excellent 108 run victory over Leicestershire on the fourth and final day at Colwyn Bay, gathering 22 points in the process.

A contrived declaration left Leicestershire a target of 300 runs, but they were dismissed well short of it due to three wickets from the impressive Will Owen, three from Jim Allenby, and two each from ageless spin twins Croft and Cosker.

Earlier in the day Will Bragg scored his maiden first class century as Glamorgan declared on 216 for 7.

Pics

Studious Will Bragg on his way to.....

...a well deserved maiden ton

The timeless Crofty, on his way to a testamonial in 2012

Resistance from Leicestershire

Greg Smith bowled Cosker 43

Glamorgan v Leicestershire, Day 3, Colwyn Bay, 18/08/11

Glamorgan had built a lead of 229 with 6 wickets left by the close of Day 3 at Colwyn Bay, thereby setting up an intriguing final day of the Championship match.

This was due to Leicestershire declaring on 309 for 7, seemingly as a result of some back room collusion between the captains. The total included an excellent unbeaten 127 from England prospect James Taylor.

In response, Glamorgan had moved onto 146/4 second time around largely due to Will Bragg's 67 not out.

Pics

The small, but well organised, James Taylor

Nick James bowling to Jigger Naik (he bowled him)

Petersen strikes a four

Gareth Rees defends against Nathan Buck

Petersen drives Hoggard

Rees looks solid