Jamie's 10-ball batting bonanza steals victory with over to spare

A FINE but very humid day greeted the teams for their penultimate Fine & Country WWCCC match, writes Alex Pitchford.

700+ runs were scored in their last meeting, so another big scoring game was on the cards.

Aberaeron won the toss, captain Ollie Evans backed his side to chase whatever was set and invited Talybont Rachels to bat first.

Vinod Mathew looked determined to contribute solidly whereas his opening partner Jacob Mathew batted with free license.

The captain put his faith in his young bowlers to open the attack.

Jacob hit a quick 15 but then hauled out to Ollie Evans to give Josh Drury a wicket.

Sreeraj similarly batted with freedom and stuck 4 fours and 2 sixes in before Liam Regan had him caught out by Neil Snowdon for 28.

Phil Abraham and Vinod then batted solidly under sustained pressure from Ollie Evans and Neil Snowdon.

A double breakthrough for Ollie saw Vinod out LBW for 51 and Phil bowled for 36. Graison John and Jestus Jerry took the attack on the bowlers.

A mix up and the cool head of Liam Regan found Graison run out for 55. Jamie Davies was chosen to close out the bowling at the sea end and he had Jestus stumped by Morgan Llewelyn for 63, including 7 fours and 2 sixes. Devadas (15*) and Blenesh Jose looked to maximise the closing overs until Blenesh was caught behind by Morgan on the penultimate ball.

A solid team batting performance giving them a very competitive total of 306.

After a well earned rest and refreshments courtesy of the Hive and the Cadwgan, Aberaeron set up their chase with Ollie Evans and Alex Pitchford opening.

Alex hit a few nice fours before prodding a catch to Phil Abraham to give Devadas his wicket for 14.

Neil Snowdon was looking solid and, looking to accelerate, stuck the ball firmly down to long-off where Phil Abraham casually stuck out one hand to clutch the ball and have him out for 22 to Jestus.

Huw Rishko, once again batting stylishly, joined his captain and batted very well for his 28 before being caught behind by Sreeraj off Jacob.

Morgan (40*) continued his good form with the bat, ably supporting his captain and keeping the scoring near the required rate.

However, a few quiet overs saw the target slipping away and Ollie was forced to take on a good length ball from Phil and was bowled for 120 - another fine century, including 14 fours and 2 sixes, which had put his team within striking range.

There was one man for whom the 12 per over required to win seemed easily within range and fortunately he was due in next.

But as Ollie fell on the last ball of the 36th over, he was waiting at the other end.

Morgan managed to score 4 off the over, but this left 41 needed from 3.

Undeterred, Jamie Davies faced Phil Abraham and smashed his first ball for four, then six, two, six.

A cheeky one handed glance to fine leg gave him another four, and then he got the single to keep strike.

anu was given the responsibility and he managed to curtail Jamie a little, scoring just 6 off the first 3 deliveries.

The home side then needed 17 off 9, but 18 off 3 saw them clinch victory with one over spare!

Jamie was awarded player-of-the-match for his 2 wickets and match winning 45* off 10 deliveries. It was another great match between these sides, played in a lovely spirit as ever.