Blaengarw & Coedely CC

🎩 MATCH DAY ANNOUNCEMENT – CHRISTCHURCH AWAY 🎩

And so, dear cricketing wanderers, the Blaengarw & Coedely caravan rolls once more out of the Garw Valley and toward the leafy surroundings of Christchurch today, playing at Ynysybwl, with the outfit departing the valley at the decidedly civilised hour of 11am.

The league table after three games? Well now… would you look at that.

B&C currently sit proudly in 3rd place, tucked in behind Friends Union and Brecon, proving that persistence, mild chaos, and occasional competence remain a powerful combination in village cricket.

Last week’s victory over Newport 4ths saw:
Lloyd Chambers continue collecting wickets like a man grabbing reduced Easter eggs,
Shaun Chambers making his league opening bowler debut,
and James Long produce another spell of entertaining wicket-taking nonsense.

Meanwhile, Matthew Hocking’s economy rate remains under investigation by leading mathematicians.

🏏 Today’s XI – Christchurch Away
Lloyd Chambers (C) – Captain, organiser, chief enthusiast and increasingly dangerous with ball in hand. A man currently leading from the front and occasionally from square leg simultaneously.

Chris Day – Calm, dependable and settling into B&C life beautifully. The sort of cricketer every captain enjoys having around.

Christian “Dist” Jones – Acrobat extraordinaire. Boundary-saving dives, improbable catches and left-handed violence all remain firmly on the menu.

James Long – The entertainment division. Equal parts cricketer and travelling theatre production. Capable of wickets, chaos, and commentary-worthy incidents before drinks.

Jake Bowen – Young, enthusiastic and permanently appearing moments away from sprinting after absolutely anything that moves.

Jack McAndrew – Fresh-faced league debutant last week and now fully exposed to the wonderful madness of Saturday cricket.

Greg Sinnott – Gentleman, tactician and former wicketkeeper-in-chief. No gloves today, but standards of etiquette shall still be aggressively maintained.

Andrew Steadman (wk) – Elegant batsman, unofficial weather correspondent, owner of perhaps the straightest bat in the valley, and keeper of the gloves.

Anthony Luff – Returns to the fold. Reliable, willing and undoubtedly knowing how quickly village cricket descends into organised confusion.

Mike D – A mysterious figure in some circles, but available and therefore already a hero of grassroots cricket, welcome back.

Nik Spooner – Veteran campaigner. Body held together with experience, stubbornness and deep heat. Still capable of producing moments of cricketing intelligence far beyond his years… all 94 of them.

🚨 Noticeable Absentees:
The outfit has, sadly, been abandoned this week by:
Shaun Chambers
Calum Gillet
Matthew Hocking

—all of whom have apparently chosen the temptations of the Bank Holiday weekend over honest village cricket.

One assumes somewhere across South Wales there are barbecues being lit, camping chairs unfolded, and pints being consumed while Darren Park traditionalists stare disapprovingly into the middle distance.

Hocking, in particular, has somehow managed to miss cricket during prime beard conditions.

☀️ The weather forecast?
Fair

🍺 The cans?
Cold.

✏️ The scorers’ pencils?
Sharp.

🏏 The spirit of village cricket?
Alive and gloriously well.

Tally ho!

🎩 MATCH DAY ANNOUNCEMENT – BRECON AT DARREN PARK 🎩

Today the Blaengarw & Coedely outfit return home to Darren Park to welcome Brecon 2nds for a 12:30 start, though players are encouraged to arrive by 11:30, partly for warm-ups and partly because one suspects at least three members of the side will still be looking for pads, whites, or their sense of direction.

After last week’s rain-abandoned affair, the cricketing appetite around the Garw Valley is positively ravenous. The kettle is on, the cans are cold, and the outfield is only being inspected with mild concern.

Current league position? B&C sit 7th, though with virtually the entire division rained off last week the table presently resembles a raffle draw conducted during a thunderstorm.

Today’s XI:
Lloyd Chambers (C) – Captain, wicket taker, organiser-in-chief and still attacking bowling line-ups with the enthusiasm of a man chasing reduced-price barbecue supplies.

Nik Spooner – Veteran campaigner. Knees negotiating heavily with the remainder of the body, though the cricket brain remains sharper than ever.

Jack McAndrew – LEAGUE DEBUT! Young Jack enters the fray for the first time. Fresh-faced, enthusiastic and hopefully unaware of how much standing around cricket occasionally involves.

Chris Day – Calm, composed and increasingly looking like a man settling nicely into life at Darren Park.

Callum Gillet – No rugby this week apparently, which means the full force of the human springer spaniel is available for cricketing duties. Morale officer, enthusiastic applauder, occasional chaos merchant.

Matthew Hocking – Beard immaculate, tactics mysterious. Last week’s bowling figures may have resembled telephone numbers, but spirits remain high and variations plentiful.

Greg Sinnott – Has heroically handed over the wicketkeeping gloves to Andrew Steadman. A selfless act rarely seen outside wartime documentaries. Still expected to maintain standards of etiquette and aggressively disapprove of byes.

Christian “Dist” Jones – Acrobat, boundary rider, left-handed danger man. Capable of catches that defy both gravity and common sense.

Andrew Steadman (WK) – Elegant batsman, unofficial weather correspondent and now guardian of the gloves. Rumours persist he has already analysed his keeping technique in a mirror.

James Long – The entertainment department. Will today bring brilliance, confusion, or both simultaneously? Almost certainly.

Shaun Chambers – Included in the squad after last week’s unfortunate encounter with what can only be described as “enthusiastic hydration”. Will he appear this week? Cricket waits anxiously.

😔 And now, a solemn announcement from the culinary wing of Darren Park…

Due to appliance troubles and a house move involving our beloved and benevolent tea lady, there shall be no cricket tea this week.

A devastating sentence to write.

Across Darren Park grown men have lowered their heads in quiet reflection. The pavilion feels emptier somehow. Rumbling stomachs echo gently in the breeze. Salivating mouths look wistfully toward the club house door that today shall remain silent.

We send our thoughts, prayers, and perhaps an extension lead to our tea queen during these difficult times and look forward eagerly to the triumphant return of her legendary culinary skills in the near future

The weather? Uncertain.
The cricket? Hopefully glorious.
The atmosphere? Pure village cricket.

Come along, grab a cuppa or a can, and enjoy an afternoon of sporting chaos and occasional excellence.

Tally ho! 🏏

🏏 SUNDAY AT THE GREEN! 🏏

Wick CC are back at home this Sunday as we take on Blaengarw & Coedely CC ! 💙💛

⏰ 13h30 start
📍 Wick Village Green

Whether you know your cover drive from your cover version or just fancy an afternoon in the sun, come down and support the boys! ☀️

Bring the family, bring the noise, bring a chair if you’re fancy.

🎩 MATCH DAY ANNOUNCEMENT – NEW SEASON, NEWBRIDGE AWAY! 🎩

And so, my dear old things, the long winter has finally loosened its icy grip, the covers are (mostly) off, and Blaengarw & Coedely stride once more into the great unknown of a brand-new cricketing season!

Today, the outfit travel to Newbridge, where play is set for 12:30pm, though one suspects the weather may have a say in proceedings, clouds hovering like indecisive umpires and the faint whisper of Duckworth–Lewis rustling through the scorebook…

🌧️ Bring a coat, bring optimism, and possibly a second innings plan involving calculators.

This season’s opening XI, a fine blend of youth, mystery, experience, and mild chaos:

1. Lloyd Chambers (C) – Captain once more, marshalling the troops with purpose and possibly still wondering where last season went. A steady hand on the tiller, assuming the toss behaves.

2. Luca Muzzupappa – A fresh-faced young favourite! New, keen, and no doubt wondering what he’s let himself in for. Expect energy, enthusiasm, and at least one moment of brilliance.

3. Andrew Ricketts – New to the club, but whispers in the pavilion suggest he can more than hold his own. One to watch, calm, composed, and possibly hiding a cover drive of rare beauty.

4. Nik Spooner – The veteran returns! Mind sharp as ever, body negotiating terms. Brings experience, wisdom, and the ability to read a game better than most read a menu.

5. Christian ‘Dist’ Jones – The acrobat! Leaps, dives, and occasionally defies gravity entirely. Left-handed flair and boundary-clearing intent, keep your eyes on this one.

6. Nick McAndrew – New to the club but no stranger to willow and leather. Straight into the XI! No time for gentle introductions.

7. Chris Day – Freshly transferred from Vale! New surroundings, same ambition. A tidy addition to the ranks and ready to make an impression.

8. Matthew Hocking – Beard immaculate, plans plentiful. A thinking cricketer with more variations than a radio playlist. Always plotting, always probing.

9. Andrew Steadman – Elegant, composed, and already analysing his own innings before he’s faced a ball. Also keeping one eye firmly on the skies, he is our unofficial weather correspondent.

10. James Long – The entertainment returns! Capable of brilliance, chaos, or both simultaneously. A walking highlight reel with a bat.

11. Greg Sinnott (WK) – Keeper of gloves, order, and general decency. Hater of byes, lover of precision. Expect sharp takes and polite appeals.

🐝And as we take to the field today, a quiet nod to one who would have loved every second of it.... "play the game ump"...💙

☁️ Final Thoughts:
The season begins, the scoreboard is blank, and anything is possible. Will the rain intervene? Will Lloyd win the toss? Will James Long attempt something outrageous before the first drinks break?

There’s only one way to find out.

Tally ho, and let the summer begin! 🏏🎙️

Notice of our dear friend and teammate Alex Page’s funeral ❤️

It is with the heaviest of hearts that we share the devastating news of the passing of our dear friend and teammate, Alex Page (Pagey).

Alex was not only a much-loved member of Blaengarw & Coedely Cricket Club, but a vital part of our cricketing family. On the field, his knowledge of the game was second to none. His ability to read play, offer guidance, and provide calm, unshakable support to Captain Lloyd Chambers was invaluable. His cricketing insight, wisdom, and encouragement shaped the team in ways that words can barely capture.

But Alex’s impact stretched far beyond the boundary rope. He was the kind of person who threw himself into every part of club life, from pitch preparations to long afternoons of loyal support, always there with a word of advice, a story to share, or a laugh to lift the spirits. He was the Darren Park Hawkeye, taking centre stage on his chair at the far end of the pitch, and was never slow to cheekily challenge opposing umpires decisions when he saw fit! Alex was the life and soul of our club, a constant presence who made everyone feel welcome, valued, and part of something special.

Alex will be remembered for his loyalty, his warmth, and his unflappable spirit. His absence leaves a hole that can never truly be filled, but his legacy will live on in the friendships he built, the wisdom he shared, and the love he poured into our club.

We’ll never forget the infamous “Miskin incident” — after a heavy U15s loss, Alex rallied the boys into jumping off the bus and bobby-knocking the ‘posh’ houses as we left. Even a stern word from the other coaches couldn’t dampen his infectious laugh, and that moment became one of those unforgettable memories that bound us together.

The hillside above Darren Park will never look the same again, and the vacant spectator’s chair that sits there will always leave an empty space in our hearts.

Rest easy, Alex. You will forever be part of Blaengarw & Coedely CC.

Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones at this hardest of times.

🗓️ Saturday 16th August 2025

🏏 Match Report – Blaengarw & Coedely CC Away at Ebbw Vale CC 2nd XI 🏏

The valleys were rocking last Saturday as the boys made the trek to Ebbw Vale — and what a shift we put in. A proper away day: runs, wickets, dropped catches, and a performance that saw us win by 9 wickets.

🎯 Ebbw Vale Bat First

The hosts won the toss, decided to bat, and must have been happy enough with a decent total with 186/9 from 40 overs. But our bowlers made them work hard for every run.
• James Long bowled like he’d been watching Shane Warne highlight reels, sending down 4 overs, 3 maidens, 2 for 10. Ruthless stuff.
• Skipper Lloyd Chambers kept things tight with 1 for 34 from his 8, and brother Shaun (despite still smelling faintly of Friday night’s beers) bowled beautifully, bagging 2 for 15 off 4 overs. Shame his catching hands were more beer mats than buckets! 🍺😂
• Matthew Hocking (2-27) and Nik Spooner (1-27) turned the screw in the middle overs, while Geraint Gillet took a wicket but was treated a bit more harshly by the hard hitting middle order (finishing with 1-62).

All in all, a cracking team bowling effort to restrict them.


💥 Blaengarw Batting: Carnage Ensues

If the first innings was tidy, the second was pure destruction.
• Andrew “The Terminator” Steadman recently upgraded to a T800, powering to 64 not out. Eyes red, mission clear: seek and destroy. Every bowler looked like Sarah Connor in his sights.
• James Long then swapped the ball for the bat and went full berserker mode, smashing 61 runs with sixes raining down across Ebbw Vale.
• Skipper Lloyd Chambers calmly steered us home with 37 not out, proving that at least one Chambers brother can hold a bat without dropping it.

Final score? 187/1 off 34.3 overs.

📊 League Update

That win gives us 20 points and moves us onto 173 points in the table. Sitting in 8th, and relegation staved off, but with performances like that, there’s no reason we can’t climb further up before season’s end.

🐉 Summary
• Shaun bowled like a king, but caught like he’d been juggling daffodils.
• Andrew “Steadcat” Steadman — part human, part machine.
• James Long decided boundaries were boring unless they cleared the rope.
• Lloyd led from the front with both bat and ball.

And most importantly — B-triple-C brought the points home to the Garw Valley!

🌞 Sunshine, Sledges & a Solid Wall Called Chris Day – Blaengarw & Coedely CC vs Christchurch CC

The sun was blazing, the pitch looked like a postcard, and we welcomed second-placed Christchurch CC to the valley. A team that’s been steamrolling plenty this season – and while they took the points, we made sure they earned every single one.

🏏 Our Turn With the Bat:
We posted 147 all out in 32.2 overs, with:
• Jordan Samuel smashing 54 – proper fireworks and some cracking drives.
• Greg Sinnott with a classy 22 – the man’s forward defence could stop traffic.
• Andy Steadman – 12 handy runs in the sunshine.
• Dist Jones – 16 runs, with shots so cultured they should have been in an art gallery.

Extras kindly donated 10 runs – much appreciated.

147 scored. Better than last week (the less said the better 🦆), but not a great Darren Park total.

🎯 Bowling at the Big Guns:
Christchurch finished 148/5 in 31.1 overs, but not before we gave them a few headaches:
• Matthew Hocking – 8 overs, 2 maidens, 27 runs, 2 wickets – precision stuff.
• Lloyd Chambers – 8 overs, 2 maidens, 27 runs, 1 wicket – miserly as ever.
• Shaun Chambers – 1 wicket to his name.
• Jordan Samuel – helping himself to a wicket too.

💥 Moment of the Match:
Debutant Chris Day decided to introduce himself to the league by catching the ball… with his chest. Straight in, no time to get his hands in the way. The sound echoed round the ground like a dropped toolbox. Did he flinch? Not a bit of it. The man’s basically part brick wall, part cricket player.

📊 Final Result: Christchurch CC win by 5 wickets.

🔜 Next Up: Bottom-placed Ebbw Vale 2nd XI this Saturday. We’ll be looking to bounce back with big runs, big wickets, and hopefully fewer cricket balls to the sternum!

💥MATCH REPORT💥
🏏Wick v Blaengarw – Away🏏
🏏Sunday Aug 3rd 2025🏏

A rare Sunday away fixture this week for Wick – travelling to Blaengarw to play the return leg from our first fixture of 2025.

Sunday morning awoke to rain fall and a million WhatsApp messages to Steve (fixture secretary) – is the game on? It’s raining? Will we be playing? Where’s my socks? Who shot JFK?

This did at least uncover some hidden talents within the team.
Who knew that Owen (Toughest man in village cricket, expectant father, Iron man, comedian) was also an amateur meteorologist (weather man) – I have never seen so many weather maps – he promised us a dry spell just past 1pm and gave a running commentary of the wetness level of his neighbours roof throughout the morning. Enthralling.

Anyway, after Steve had used all of his minutes on his pay as you go contract communicating with the groundsman in Blaengarw – we were on – delayed start and 30 overs a side.

Rob 'Dicky' Dixon returned to the team from his around the world cruise, Ian returned after spending the last few weeks being coached by Steve Smith of Australia. Now every team needs a superhero duo so Owen’s sidekick Matt joined us, coming in for his second Wick game – soon christened Batman and Robin by the rest of the team. No Simon though as he is now filming his latest movie in Hollywood (Return of Batman?). Team limo left Wick at around 1.30, with several members of the team comfortably seated with champagne, caviar and chocolate covered strawberries.

To the game, beautiful ground with stunning views and the promised sunshine arrived as forecast by our own Derek the weather man.
Wick losing the toss and being asked to bat first. Dicky returning to open with Steve. Bish, bash, bosh – we raced to 25 after 9 balls of the innings – a beautiful 6 down the ground by Rob the pick of the shots but plenty by both batsmen – until the champagne kicked in and Rob was out to a good diving low return catch by the bowler. Colin in next. The pitch was helpful to slower bowling and so on came a bowler who floated a few up. Both batsmen played a few good shots and ran well before Colin came down the pitch and missed and was stumped. The weather man caped crusader in next – too much energy used on monitoring the heavens in the morning and he soon departed. Meanwhile Steve is going along nicely – including a lovely 6. Chris in next. A few nice sweep shots by him before he departed as well. This brought Gutsy to the crease, promoted up the order after promising great things. Steve the next to go after a great 43. Skipper in now looking to up the rate but a very rare outing for him and he didn’t get to double figures (first time in living memory). Matt, the other half of the dynamic duo, who according to Owen is a very quick runner, better cyclist and all round good egg, in next. He and Gutsy hit some nice shots, scampered really well and took the score upto 150 before Matt fell. Gutsy, now decided the time was right to set the record straight about who is the best Dixon family batsman and started to cream the ball all over the park, including a nice 6 to match his brother earlier. He flew past his 50 with Amal supporting him from the other end. Gutsy eventually fell for a fine 53. Ian in with 4 overs to go. Amal out next leaving last man Andy to join Ian. They got a few more before Andy was bowled, leaving Wick all out with 1 over to go and 183 runs on the board.

A quick turnaround.

Amal opening the bowling, decent start just 4 from the first over. Russ taking the ball from the other end and bowling their skipper with his first ball. After a few more overs Dicky replaced Russ and Ian came on for Amal – Russ having read the training update from Steve Smith on Ian’s new bowling technique. Ian bowled well but was unlucky no to take any wickets, a couple of catching chances not being taken.

However the battle of the Dixons was now going strong. After Gutsy had taken the batting honours, Dicky now set out to win the bowling – taking a remarkable 3 wickets for 7 runs in 4 overs. The first a stunning full length airborne catch by Chris in the slips, a bowled and then a catch off his own bowling.

After his marvellous catch, Chris felt like having a bowl, good effort but probably needs to go talk with Ian about his technique.
Andy asked to bowl next by Russ, struggling with a bad knee, he trudged in off about 3 yards and managed to burgle a few wickets for the team – with the help of a Gutsy catch (rumours he pushed Rob out of the way to take the catch for more game points are unfounded).

Gutsy and Colin then came on to bowl but Blaengarw were going strong now and runs kept coming. Gutsy did strike and removed a dangerous batsman. Steve on last to finish off.
However it was all in vain as the last wicket pair for Blaengarw managed to sneak the required runs with 2 overs left. Throughout the game Matt was running, diving and throwing himself around doing the work of at least 3 fielders. Good work Batman.

Wick 183 all out (29), Blaengarw 184-9 (27.3)
A great game of cricket in a lovely location played in Great Spirit with a lovely bunch of lads.

BBQ on, beer sipped, lovely evening. Many thanks to Blaengarw team for their hospitality and a great game of cricket. We look forward to another home / away series next year.

The limo ride home was lovely and Andy judged the Dixon battle a draw.

If anyone one is bothered, the stats for the season are looking interesting with just 4 games left.
Batting – well we all know who is the leading run getter (Russ 466) but it is level pe***ng for second place between Owen and Steve (both on 178)
Bowling – Steve out in front with 16 but tied for second between Simon and Kenny on 10.
Catching – Battle between Owen and Steve with Russ a close third.

The next game is a midweek T20 v F Troop (Wednesday 6th) with games against Bridgend (Sunday 10th), a Wales Over 50’s select 11 (Sunday 17th) Yes you read that right Wick v Wales! and then Barry West End Away on Sept 7th.

🎩 MATCH DAY ANNOUNCEMENT – Blaengarw & Coedely vs Usk 3rds 🎩

Live from the glorious (if slightly damp) amphitheatre that is Darren Park, we return once again to the field of dreams, drama and the occasional dropped dolly.

After last week’s batting collapse so profound it’s been submitted to geological records as a tectonic event, Blaengarw & Coedely CC are ready to dust themselves off, straighten their whites, and go again.

Currently sat in 7th place, we welcome Usk 3rds (9th) to the Garw Valley – a side known for fielding with enthusiasm.

🌥️ The skies are overcast, the outfield is soft underfoot, and the kettle is boiling.

The scorers' pencils are honed to a deadly point, the fridge is loaded with the coldest of cans, and a glorious tea awaits — sandwiches stacked higher than a slip cordon and cakes that defy structural physics.

Here is your XI of champions, chancers and cheerful chaos:

• Lloyd Chambers (C) – Back at the helm. Clipboard in hand, and already two overs deep into a conversation about whether the pitch is “doing a bit.” Half captain, half weathervane.

• Greg Sinnott (WK) – Whisperer of stumpings, despiser of byes. The only man who can catch a wasp mid-flight and still politely thank you for the chance. Expect elegance, excellence, and a few groans about his back.

• Andrew Steadman – Still churning through batting technique videos like a man possessed. Our resident metronome at the crease and weather oracle.

• Christian “Dist” Jones – Left-handed, quick-footed, and springier than a toddler on a trampoline. Covers more ground than a local gossip. May attempt a diving catch even if it’s rolling slowly towards him.

• Lissu Michael – Our very own golden retriever of cricket. Boundless energy, dazzling enthusiasm, and the first to shout “great shot!” whether it goes for four or hits his own shin.

• Geraint Calum Gillet – Always encouraging, endlessly supportive, and possibly caffeinated. Runs laps during warm-up, warm-down, and occasionally mid-innings. Speedos at the ready

• Shaun Chambers – Batting like a fortress. Stubborn, unshakable, and increasingly resembling a man training for the role of Gandalf in an amateur dramatics society.

• Ali Khawaja – Quiet as the grave, deadly as a bouncer on concrete. May not say much, but his figures speak volumes. The sort of bowler that leaves batters confused, then walking.

• Matthew Hocking – The bearded battler is back! More plots than a spy novel and more deliveries than the Royal Mail. A magician with the ball and a menace with willow in hand.

• Nik Spooner – Brought out of mothballs, dusted off and deployed. The knees creak like an old wardrobe, the shoulder clicks like a metronome, but the experience? Oh, the experience. Expect sledging with charm and fielding within a six-foot radius.

• Simon Streeter – Collected from the Co-op car park like a stray trolley to make up numbers. Possesses every piece of kit known to man — matching gloves, colour-coordinated spikes, titanium pads — and the tactical awareness of a confused goldfish. All the gear. No idea. Bless him.

🎟️ A warm welcome awaits players and spectators alike.
🫖 The tea is divine.
🧊 The fridge is brimming.
📝 The scorebook awaits history.

Let’s give Usk a Valleys welcome. And maybe, just maybe, a full batting performance too.

Tally ho! 🎙️