28/06/2026
4ths & Fearless: The Next Generation (Weather Permitting)
Where future 1st teamers, questionable weather forecasts and village cricket collide… welcome to 4ths & Fearless.
Game Week 9 - Blackwood Town CC (Pontllanfraith) 3rd XI vs Abergavenny CC 4th XI
Some of you may have noticed the absence of a Game Week 8 report.
In short, it was one of those games we didn't look like winning... then we did... then we didn't.
That wasn't the reason for the missing report though. Sadly, the game was played in a disappointing atmosphere, particularly considering both teams had juniors taking part.
Thankfully, that's a rarity at this level of cricket, so we'll draw a line under it and move on.
And what a refreshing change this week proved to be.
Blackwood Town were excellent hosts, and the game was played throughout in exactly the right spirit. It was the sort of environment you want when introducing young players to senior cricket, competitive but friendly, hard fought but respectful.
Thank you, Blackwood Town CC.
On that note, we welcomed Josh Witcomb and Aled Roberts, who were both making their senior debuts.
Welcome to the 4ths & Fearless family.
The weather, almost suspiciously, decided to cooperate for a second consecutive week. At this point we're starting to suspect someone has finally found the switch that turns summer on.
Having successfully won the toss, I was presented with an opportunity for redemption. After the tactical "experiment" of batting first in bowler-friendly conditions, there was no hesitation this time.
We would bowl.
The XI
Aled Roberts (U15s) - Debut
Arun Babu (Senior)
Barry French (Senior)
Dinto Pappachan (Senior)
Joe Bowden (Senior)
Josh Witcomb (U13s) - Debut
Kai Witcomb (U13s)
Maddox Morris (U15s)
Rijo Mathew (Senior)
Tal Edwards (U15s)
Will Morris (Senior)
Dinto and Rijo set the tone superbly with the new ball. Their opening 12-over spell conceded just 44 runs, and Rijo's single wicket was probably less reward than the pair deserved. Nevertheless, it was the perfect platform to build from.
Will and Arun took over next, both bowling with excellent control. Will cashed in with two wickets, while Arun somehow finished wicketless despite producing more play-and-misses than a toddler trying to catch bubbles.
At the end of their spells Blackwood had been restricted to just 77, and it was time to unleash the youth.
Kai continues to grow with every game. Adjusting from junior cricket to the longer senior pitches is never easy, particularly for a spinner, but he looks more comfortable every week. The highlight came in his very first over when he tempted the batter into a mistimed drive. It was one of those catches that initially looks straightforward but hangs in the air just long enough for everyone watching to imagine at least six different ways it could be dropped.
Thankfully, Josh had other ideas.
On his senior debut he safely held on, prompting a celebration between the twins that also ensured the journey home wasn't conducted in complete silence.
Overall, the quality of the bowling was outstanding. Maddox, Josh, Tal and Aled all produced excellent spells. Each could easily have bowled more overs, but with so many options available we were able to rotate the attack and give everyone an opportunity. The variety meant Blackwood never managed to settle, and the disciplined bowling was matched by a focused, energetic performance in the field.
An excellent start.
Bowling Highlights
Dinto Pappachan: 6 overs, economy 2.33
Rijo Mathew: 6 overs, 1 wicket, economy 4.50
Will Morris: 6 overs, 2 wickets, economy 2.67
Arun Babu: 6 overs, economy 2.33
Kai Witcomb: 5 overs, 2 wickets, economy 3.00
Maddox Morris: 3 overs, 1 wicket, economy 2.33
Tal Edwards: 3 overs, 1 wicket, economy 3.67
Aled Roberts: 2 overs, 1 wicket, economy 8.00
Josh Witcomb: 3 overs, economy 3.00
Blackwood Town CC - 134-9 (40 overs)
A target of 135 felt very achievable, but as we've learnt over the years, lower league cricket has an uncanny ability to make even the simplest chase unnecessarily entertaining.
Joe and Will opened the innings, but Joe was unfortunate to depart early without troubling the scorers.
That brought Arun to the crease, and suddenly the scoreboard remembered what it was there for. He wasted little time finding the boundary, striking four crisp fours in an entertaining 26 from just 21 deliveries. His positive approach injected momentum to the innings before he eventually succumbed.
At the other end, Will was producing exactly the sort of innings every captain dreams of in a chase. Calm, composed and rarely looking troubled, he accumulated patiently, punished anything loose and anchored the innings beautifully. His superb 62 included eleven boundaries. He eventually fell late in the chase, more exhausted by the heat than the bowling, having guided us to the brink of victory. It was a superb all-round performance and a thoroughly deserved Player of the Match.
Josh's senior batting debut didn't quite go to plan, but that's cricket. Another valuable milestone ticked off for a very talented young cricketer with a bright future.
With victory now firmly in sight, Rijo and I were able to see the game home, with Rijo needing just one ball to dispatch the winning runs to the boundary.
Efficiency at its finest.
Batting Highlights
Will Morris: 62
Barry French: 34*
Arun Babu: 26
Rijo Mathew: 4* (one ball faced, one boundary. Can't argue with the strike rate.)
Abergavenny CC - 137-4 (26.3 overs)
A six-wicket victory and another 20-point haul cements us in 4th place in the league with a game in hand, now rearranged for 9th August.
Perhaps most pleasing of all was the contribution from across the whole squad. All nine bowlers played their part, six claimed wickets, the fielding remained focused throughout and the chase was built on sensible partnerships rather than individual heroics.
It's exactly the balance this team is built around, experienced senior players helping create an environment where our younger cricketers can develop, contribute and grow in confidence.
Long may it continue.
Next week we travel to South Wales Sri Lankan CC 2nds, who are sure to provide another stern test. We're looking forward to the challenge - 4ths & Fearless.
As always....weather permitting.
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Fancy getting involved?
From future 1st teamers to returning veterans, Abergavenny Cricket Club runs boys', girls', men's and women's cricket for all ages and abilities.
New players are always welcome.
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