CRICKET – THE Reza Hygiene Awali Camels had their four-match winning streak snapped in their ongoing South Wales tour following a 34-run defeat to a Hopkinstown CC select XI.
The Camels knew they would be up against a tough challenge in this fifth fixture of their tour. The news of their victories against all their previous opposition has been a hot subject throughout cricket-mad South Wales. Needless to say, Hopkinstown had prepared well to defend their long unbeaten record in T20s all season. Top players from Rhondda Valley league teams were invited to ‘lend a hand’ against the jaunty tourists.
It all started so well for the Camels on this picture-postcard ground, nestling in a steep, wooded valley. In the very first over, Steve Turner bowled a double wicket maiden, both his victims, Gregor McKain and Harry Hughes, falling to catches – one a stunning one-handed effort by skipper Charles Forward. Dave Starkie followed this with yet another of his signature wickets, clean bowling Jordan Gooch.
Three wickets for three runs, and the sizable crowd of local townsfolk were stunned into silence.
The next four batsmen, the cream of Rhondda Valley cricket – Ethan Lewis, Zak Balcher, Jack Hughes, and Tristan Lazarus – now tore into the tired Camels attack, each reaching the retirement total of 30. The narrow boundaries on both sides were peppered with fours and sixes to loud supportive cheers, which echoed off the steep valley slopes.
There was some luck as well, as the usually safe hands of Cobus Grierson spilled two routine chances. Huw Caffrey, actually an ex-Hopkinstown player, somehow managed to drop a catch at mid-on four times in one go. Slack fielding from the weary Camels allowed the score 30 more runs than they should have.
Still, 146 was an achievable target for the Camels. Matt Rees set them on their path, cracking 46 off just 26 balls. The run-rate was now almost 10 an over and the Camels should have just cantered home. But at the other end, things went decidedly wrong.
Regular match winners Grierson (zero) and Forward (13) were both trapped leg before wicket, while the rest of the batting got bogged down by accurate bowling, astute field placing, and their own bad shot selection. Only Dave Axtell (13) reached double figures.
The asking rate rose and rose and then became unreachable with Starkie’s 19-ball vigil, which yielded just two runs. The Camels were well and truly beaten, but took comfort in their own quirky belief that – unless they are all out when chasing a total – the match is a draw.
They next face a Panthers XI at Cowbridge CC in their final fixture of their tour. A victory in that match would give them an impressive five wins from six.
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