Miller causes mayhem as Clydach collapse
Welsh Cup Last 16;
Clydach (125 all out) lost to Neyland (130 for 4) by 6 wickets
Scorer: John Laugharne (Neyland)
Neyland Cricket Club’s amazing run of success in national competitions continued on Sunday with victory in the Welsh Cup in yet another away match for Sean Hannon and his much-travelled team as Andrew Miller was the undoubted hero with the ball and Ashley Sutton led the batting.
On this occasion, however, it was nothing like the 502-mile round trek that they had experienced seven days earlier but a journey of 60 miles each way to take on a Clydach side very much in contention for promotion to the premier division of Welsh Cricket.
Massive collapse instigated by Miller and Hardy
The opposition are renowned for their batting strength and it looked as if they were heading towards a big score as openers John and Sam Davies sped to 83 in 17 of their allotted 40 overs – but then they suffered a collapse of massive proportions as they could only add another 42 runs from their whole team as they were shot out for 125 in 30.4 overs!
And the undoubted architect of their downfall was veteran leg-spinner Andrew Miller, so long regards as one of the best batsmen in the county but now serving his side just as well with his cannily-flighted deliveries that got the Clydach batsmen in such a tizzy that he ended up with a deserved 5 for 32 haul.
Ross Hardy chipped in with 3 for 29 with his arrow-straight accuracy and Scott Jones marked his return to action as he bowled the final four balls and claimed two victims.
Catches galore – and an easy stumping
Credit should also be given to the other Neyland bowlers for their accuracy alongside typically tight fielding and catching which saw Nathan Banner (2), Scott Jones, Geraint Rees (2), Andrew Miller (2) and Ross Hardy pouching chances – and skipper Sean Hannon took a stumping that he admitted wasn’t a difficult one but gave Miller his fifth wicket.
For Clydach, John Davies hit six boundaries in his 33 and namesake Sam struck four fours and a six in his top score of 40, with only Johnathan Hubschmidt (two sixes in his 18) managing double figures as three wickets fell on 111 and the last four wickets tumbled within the space of a single run.
Neyland recover from loss of early wickets
Neyland also made a less than solid start as they lost openers Nick Koomen (8) and Scott Jones (10), whilst Nathan Banner was adjudged lbw without scoring, to his team mates’ dismay,
But then another Miller veteran in Gregg joined Ashley Sutton in steadying their innings, with Gregg dropping anchor and Sutton playing his array of shots in a stand of 83 before the former batsman was dismissed for 21 having contributed two fours and a six in his 21 – but doing a great job for his team.
Sutton stroked eight fours and a six in his superb 66 not out and was joined at the finish by Ross Hardy, who rounded off the game in style with a big six to earn a home tie in the next stage, probably against Welsh Premier team Newport at the Athletic Ground.
SCORECARDS:
Clydach Batting:
John Davies ct Nathan banner b Andrew Miller 33
Sam Davies lbw b Ross Hardy 40
Steph Davies ct Scott Jones b Andrew Miller 8
Johnathan Hubschmidt ct Nathan Banner b Andrew Miller 18
James Garland ct Geraint Rees b Ross Hardy 2
Callum Hanney ct Ross Hardy b Scott Jones 8
Nick Fisher ct Andrew Miller b Ross Hardy 0
Jack Todd ct Geraint Rees b Andrew Miller 6
Joe Farthing st Sean Hannon b Andrew Miller 0
Jamie Lewis not out 0
Cameron Rees ct Andrew Miller b Scott Jones 0
Extras 10
Total (all out) 125
Neyland Bowling:
Nathan Banner 5-0-26-0; Jack John 7-0-30-0; Ross Hardy 8-1-29-3; Andrew Miller 8-1-32-5; Brad McDermott-Jenkins 2-1-10-0; Scott Jones 0.4-0-0-2
Neyland Batting:
Nick Koomen ct Callum Hanney b Jamie Lewis 8
Scott Jones lbw b Johnathan Hubschmidt 10
Ashley Sutton not out 66
Nathan Banner lbw b Joe Farthing 0
Gregg Miller ct James Garland b Jamie Lewis 21
Ross Hardy not out 6
Extras 19
Total (4 wickets) 130
Clydach Bowling:
Jack Todd 5-0-50-0; Jamie Lewis 6.4-3-18-2; Joe Farthing 6-2-15-1; Johnathan Hubschmidt 4-1-7-1; Sam Davies 2-0-22-0; James Garland 2-0-17-0