Archive - Wednesday, 30 June 2004


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Brilliant Soup makes it tough to bowl

The Tintern cricket team's winning run continued on June 13 with a convincing win away at Blaina.

The ground conditions were excellent: a firm, dry pitch and a very fast outfield. After winning the toss for the fifth time this season, Tintern elected to bat first and posted a large total.

Their innings was built around a majestic century by Soup Bridgelal. Coming in a number three after Richard Davies (16) had been caught off K Palmer (2 for 13), he was soon into his stride.

The 50 came up for Tintern in the 12th over, the 100 in the 17th over, and the 150 in the 23rd over as the run-rate continued to accelerate.

After Owain Ellis was dismissed, lbw to A Rosen (2-50) for 60, Soup Bridgelal continued to attack and was given good support from Geraint Reynolds (19) and Morgan Bridgelal (10).

With Tintern's total on 239 off 32 overs Soup Bridgelal was eventually out, bowled by A Palmer (3-52), for a magnificent 121. His innings contained no fewer than 15 fours and six sixes.

Blaina then fought back well and limited any further damage: A Lane took two for ten runs, and there was a flurry of late wickets as Tintern reached 271 off their 40 overs.

After a marvellous tea, a challenging opening spell of fast bowling by Mark Bailey (1-8) and Scott Bishop (3-17) meant that Blaina were not able to keep up with the required run-rate.

Mark Bailey was almost impossible to play as he moved the ball around off the seam, and soon it became an issue of whether Tintern would be able to bowl out Blaina.

To Blaina's credit they stuck in stubbornly, their batsmen mixing stout defence with some pleasing shots.

The main scorers were T Williams, until he was well caught by Mark Bailey for 37, and N Williams (25).

Geraint Reynolds (one for 26) and Sam Hayward (two for 32) bowled tidily for Tintern, as Blaina were restricted to 121/7 off their 40 overs.

For the third week in succession Tintern had won, this time by a margin of 150 runs.