England v West Indies, ODI, Cardiff, 01/06/2025

A Joe Root masterclass secured victory for England and an unassailable 2-0 lead in their 3-match 50 over series against the West Indies.

On a bright, breezy morning at Glamorgan's HQ, England won the toss and elected to bowl firstly, much to the initial disappointment of those expecting meek resistance from a West Indies side which is a shadow of those of the 70s and 80s glory days.

In fairness, and helped by a sloppy England fielding display (4 dropped catches), the visitors posted 308 all out, the highlight of which was a fine 103 from Keacy Carty (on you tube here).

 

That said, from the position they were in, 350 should have been the minimum expectation, instead the last 6 wickets fell for just 50 runs in less than 5 overs.

In reply, England were soon in trouble at 2 for 2, but that was of little concern to the magnificent Joe Root (above) as he took control of the situation despite losing partners at the other end. At one stage England were 133 for 5.

An excellent sixth wicket partnership of 143 with Will Jacks broke the back of the total, with the imperious Root striking the winning runs and ending on 166 not out, his highest ODI score.

Match scorecard here. Match report here.

Glamorgan v Middlesex, Day 3, County Championship Division 2, Cardiff, 25/05/2025

Glamorgan secured an excellent, 10-wicket win over Middlesex with a day to spare, thereby ending the first phase of championship cricket with 3 consecutive victories.

After securing a first innings lead of 228 runs, the home side enforced the follow on at the end of day 2 but bad light prevented the commencement of the visitors' second innings.

Middlesex got their Sunday morning's batting off to a flier, with Sam Robson smashing 66 off 58 balls in a rapid first wicket stand of 98.

The introduction of Australian slow left arm spinner, Matt Kuhnemann, changed all that. The selection of Kuhnemann was a little controversial as it was to be his only game for the Welsh county, ahead of joining up with Australia's Test squad.

There was no doubting his effort however. Bowling unchanged from the River Taff End, his flight and loop caused havoc with the London county, taking 6 for 53 in career-best first class figures.

Despite some late Toby Roland-Jones resistance with 57 off 42 balls, Middlesex only just made Glamorgan bat again, with the 8 required runs being knocked comfortably after tea.

Scorecard here. Day 3 report here.

Glamorgan v Middlesex, Day 1, County Championship Division 2, Cardiff, 23/05/2025

Glamorgan ended day 1 of its Championship clash with Middlesex the happier of the two sides, with the home side closing on 334/7 after being put in by the visitors.

 

On a bright but cool morning, Middlesex opted to try to take advantage of any early moisture in the surface by choosing to bowl firstly; a tactic common at Sophia Gardens where it often gets flatter and easier to bat.

With Glamorgan at 52/3, including the prized wicket of Marnus Labuschagne, it looked like the correct move, but the afternoon session belonged to the daffodil county with centuries from captain Sam Northeast and Kiran Carlson in a fourth wicket stand of 228. Clips of the players reaching three figures are here and here.

The visitors struck back in the evening session with four wickets, but overall the day ended with Glamorgan on top.

The cricinfo report is here.

Ebbw Vale 18 Newport 27, Super Rygbi Cymru Final, 17/05/2025

It was not to be.

Ebbw Vale's loyal supporters were left bitterly disappointed as, yet again, the Steelmen failed to deliver when it mattered most and added to a list of last gasp defeats in major final games, including several over the years against local rivals Newport.

In front of a large crowd of almost 4,000 spectators, including many, boisterous and colourful, who had travelled up the valley from Newport, it was the visitors who went away delighted, as, in scenes reminiscent of halcyon days for club rugby, the Black and Ambers lifted the inaugural Syper Rugby Cymru trophy.

On a glorious Sunday afternoon, Ebbw started the stronger, with Evan Lloyd kicking an early pernalty. Jac Lloyd responded in kind for the visitors.

But Ebbw's kicking was starting to get wayward. Missed touch, kicking dead, and misplaced box kicks all gave impetus to Newport and their confidence grew. In a dominant period before half time, the pressure told as Newport 9 Dafydd Buckland went over converted by Lloyd, followed by a backs' break ultimately leading to Lloyd ghosting over and converting. These tries were separated by an Ebbw penalty kicked by Evan Lloyd.

Half time Ebbw 6 Newport 17

The home side had it all to do after the break, but there was hope as the Steelmen had reversed such deficits on several occasions over the season. It was to be prove more difficult now, especially with captain fantastic Joe Franchi off injured.

Nonetheless, the Steelmen started like a side energised by a half time team talk. A good break led to pressure and Gruff Tough kicked cross-field for Ewan Bowden to touchdown making it 11-17.

Unfortunately, Newport full back Carwyn Penny struck back with his kick through bouncing kindly for him to cross the whitewash converted by Jac Lloyd.

Ebbw came back again with good turnover ball leading to a pick and drive from Curtis Gregory converted by Evan Lloyd.

 

In truth, the visitors did enough to neuter Ebbw's scrum and maul strength, and sealed victory with another Lloyd penalty, despite frantic Ebbw pressure in the last 10 minutes.

The whole match is on you tube here.

Glamorgan v Northamptonshire, Day 1, County Championship Division 2, 16/05/2025

On a bright, sunny day at Sophia Gardens, Northamptonshire opted to bat first but must surely have regretted their decision later on as they were bundled out for 185, with Glamorgan closing on 82/3.

It is normally the case that any life in the Cardiff surface is on Day 1 so the home side would have been quietly pleased to be bowling on the opening morning. So it proved.

Only visiting captain, Luke Procter, showed much resistance with 61, as the Glamorgan seamers shared the wickets, with three each for Asitha Fernando and Andy Gorvin.

The biggest disappointment for home fans was regarding Australian Test batter, Marnus Labuschagne (below), as his must anticipated return ended in a seven-ball duck.

The cricinfo report is here.

 

CF Lanzarote 4 UD Villa Santa Brigada 0, Tias, 27/04/2025

It's always great catch up with some Spanish Tercera Divison football when on Lanzarote.

On a bright beautiful Sunday morning, the home side ran out comfortable winners at their temporary home in the village of Tias.

A first half goal from Ivan Hujo was followed up after the break with strikes from Ale Fuentes, Matías Sosa and Adrían Machín to seal a dominant victory for the Rojillos.

Attendance: 400 approx.

The full match report is here.

Ebbw Vale 21 Swansea 17, Super Rygbi Cymru, 19/04/2025

Ebbw Vale closed out the regular season with a scrappy home win versus the All Whites, thereby securing second place in the process.

The Steelmen were coming off the back of a difficult week, playing their third match in 6 days having lost at both Newport and Aberavon, and a patched-up side just about got the job done against resilient visitors.

Ebbw opened the scoring in familiar fashion with a Joe Franchi rolling maul converted by winger Ewan Bowden. The Whites struck back through lively full back Harri Houston converted by Tai Rees.

Another Ebbw maul saw Franchi break away and crash over. Bowden converted.

Ieuan Cornelius finished off a fine move for the visitors to leave the half time score at 14-12.

After weathering good Swansea pressure, Ebbw extended the lead with replacement hooker Ieuan Morris finishing off a rolling maul, Bowden once again added the extras.

In all honesty, many substitutions did not help the flow of the game and Swansea definitely finished the game on top against a jaded home side. Houston scored again following a cross-field kick.

Ebbw Vale could now look forward to a home, play-off, quarter final versus Carmarthen Quins followed by a potential home semi-final.

Ebbw Vale 40 Carmarthen Quins 20, Super Rygbi Cymru, 05/04/25

Ebbw Vale eventually overcame a sluggish start against a determined Quins outfit to run out winners with 6 points in the bag to keep up the pressure at the top of the table.

The visitors were much the better side in the first half and opened the scoring with an early penalty. Ebbw hit back with a classic catch'n'drive with Ieuan Morris going over, converted by Evan Lloyd. Quins pressure was telling though with a further penalty followed by a try from the visiting hooker Lewis Morgan, converted by Elis Price (as were the penalties)

Half time Ebbw 7 Quins 13.

Ebbw came out with a point to prove and, with the whole front row replaced, set up the rolling maul for Joe Franchi to crash over converted by Lloyd. Quins hit back from broken play with a converted try of their own to make it 14-20.

From then on, the Steelmen pack took over. Franchi added another 2 trademark tries, one of which was converted by Lloyd. More forward pressure saw Curtis Gregory power over, with Lloyd adding the extras. With the game opening up in the final phases, centre Cameron Davies used his pace to pierce the tiring, visitors' defence. Lloyd converted.

Match ball sponsor Eye For Finance.

Glamorgan v Leicestershire, Day 1, County Championship Division 2, Cardiff, 04/04/25

The opening day of the county cricket season was marked by pleasant, warm, spring sunshine, as Glamorgan entertained Leicestershire in Division 2 of the championship.

The visitors won the toss and elected to bowl, proceeding to take advantage of any early morning moisture in the surface.

Glamorgan never really got going and in a lacklustre batting display only 41 from Eddie Byrom and 55 from Chris Cooke offered any resistance against an accurate Foxes attack.

In reply, Leicestershire looked less troubled and moved to 65 for the loss of only 1 wicket at the close of play.

 The full cricinfo Day 1 report is here

Ebbw Vale 44 Newport 21, Super Rygbi Cymru Cup Pool B, 01/03/2025

A glorious sunny day greeted spectators for this St David's Day encounter in Pool B of the Super Rygbi Cymru, and it was the home side who dominated throughout.

Despite an early Newport penalty, it was Ebbw's pack which took control of the game yielding first half tries for Adam Court from a rolling maul, Ryan Gardner following a Gruff Tough break (converted by Evan Lloyd), a penalty try when Newport were reduced to thirteen, and another catch and drive try from Joe Franchi.

Newport scored a try through David Richards.

Half time Ebbw 24 Newport 8

In fairness, Newport started the second half well with a converted try and the respective 10s swapping penalties, before another Newport penalty reduced the deficit to 6 points (27-21).

Following a raft of substitutions, Ebbw's pack took control again, with forward strength helping Sion Parry over the line. Lloyd added the extras and a penalty (37-21).

Ebbw's sixth and final try of the afternoon came when Lewis Young powered over, with Lloyd once again converting.