Rogerstone Welfare Cricket Club

All the best Alec Holdaway & Sophie Prince 💚💚

🌿🐯 EXCITING NEWS — JUNGLE PLAY @ NEWPORT MARKET! 🦜🐍

We’re absolutely delighted to announce that we are the new tenants of Jungle Play at Newport Market, having agreed a 3-year lease! 🎉🥳

Our tenancy officially begins on 𝟏𝐬𝐭 𝐒𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫, and we’re already working hard behind the scenes to get everything ready for opening! 💚

We’ve got lots of exciting plans for Jungle Play, including:

🎨 Renewing & upgrading the artwork throughout the play area
🛝 Improvements to the soft play and facilities
🌈 Creating a new sensory experience for little ones
☕ A brand-new coffee machine for the grown-ups
🍦 Ice cream
🍫 Snacks & confectionery
🥤 Cold drinks & refreshments

But that’s not all… 👀

We want Jungle Play to become a place where families can play, meet, socialise and make memories, so we’re also planning:

🎭 Regular events & character visits
👶 Parent & toddler sessions
☕ Parent/Carer meet-up sessions
🎂 Private birthday parties & exclusive hire
⭐ Weekly specials & offers including a membership option
🎨 Different activities and experiences throughout the year

We’ve got plenty of ideas and can’t wait to start bringing them to life! 🌿🐯

Our aim is to create a fun, welcoming and exciting space for children and families right in the heart of Newport Market. If you know us you will know that this is something that we’ve wanted to do for a long time and now we are so excited to go on this adventure alongside both of our existing cafes - The Glade Cafe and The Hatch @ Waunfawr Park.

📲 In the meantime, please give our Instagram & page - Jungle Play at Newport Market (Facebook) (Instagram)- a follow to keep up with our progress, behind-the-scenes updates, upcoming events and, most importantly, our opening date! 👀🎉

We’re really looking forward to welcoming our customers from The Glade Cafe, The Hatch, meeting Jungle Play’s existing customers and all the families who already visit Newport Market. ❤️

This is a really exciting new chapter for us, and we want to say a massive THANK YOU to everyone who continues to support our businesses. It genuinely means so much to us. 🙌

We can’t wait to welcome you to Jungle Play! 🐯🌴🦜

Alec & Sophie 💚

If you’re looking for something to do on Friday (14th August) then come and join us at Rogerstone Welfare Grounds where Moana will be for a singalong, plenty of dancing and a chance to meet her and have a photo 🐚

🕰️ 1pm behind The Glade Cafe, NP10 9EQ

💰 Free, we just ask you to support the cafe where able

🚘 Our overflow car park will be open, but please walk/get public transport/car share where able

We will be open 10am-8pm so if you can’t make it there is still plenty of time to join us, grab a delicious item off our menu and have a beautiful day ☀️

3 catches against Whitchurch today.

💚🖤 MATCH REPORT | FOUR IN A ROW! 🏏

Rogerstone Welfare CC made it four league victories on the bounce with another outstanding all-round team performance away at Llandaff CC.

After winning the toss, we elected to field first and immediately set the tone. Dan Jones was exceptional with the new ball, producing a spell full of control and class to finish with superb figures of 3-30. On a ground with a quick outfield, small boundaries and a brand-new ball, DJ showed outstanding discipline and quality to keep the hosts under pressure from the very start.

The spin attack then took control of the innings. Hamza Rana and Alec Holdaway bowled brilliantly in tandem, combining for 18 overs, just 60 runs and a wicket apiece, building relentless pressure throughout the middle overs. Santos Singh then struck at exactly the right moments, removing the dangerous Gillani and Karim, finishing with excellent figures of 2-39 from his 9 overs as Llandaff were restricted to 219.

With 220 looking around par on a wicket that didn’t have a great deal of pace, but with a quick outfield, small boundaries and a new ball making batting easier once set, Rogerstone knew a positive start would be vital.

For the second weekend running, Arham Anser took the attack to the opposition, dismantling the opening spells of Ahmad and Mohammed with fearless stroke play. Wickets fell at the other end, with Gareth Tyler (16), Alec Holdaway (7), Hamza Rana (4) and Santos Singh (9) departing, making the next partnership crucial.

What followed was the match-winning stand.

Arham Anser (87) and Luke Harris (52) put together a superb 95-run partnership, combining class, patience, maturity and skill. Arham once again produced a magnificent innings, taking the game away from the hosts with another outstanding display at the top of the order. Luke played the perfect supporting role, calmly holding one end, rotating the strike brilliantly and ensuring the innings never lost momentum. Even after Arham’s dismissal, Luke remained composed and guided the side home alongside the tail, sealing victory with eight overs to spare.

Another complete team performance with contributions throughout the side.

Four wins in a row. Confidence within the squad is growing every week and the consistency of our performances is there for everyone to see.

Next up is another huge challenge as we travel to Miskin Manor. We know it will be a tough test, but it’s one we’re looking forward to.

💚🖤 Up the Welfare! 🏏

Welcome to the club Dudley Hill. 💚💚

We’re delighted to make the signing from Cardiff Kitts. The hard hitting batter will slot straight into the senior squad for the remaining month of the season - and join his son Morgan Hill who current plays cricket for the junior teams in Rogerstone.

Welcome to the club Dudley, looking forward to seeing that flashing blade down The Welfare very soon! 🏏

🏏 𝐇𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐘 𝐌𝐀𝐃𝐄 𝐀𝐓 𝐑𝐎𝐆𝐄𝐑𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐍𝐄 𝐖𝐄𝐋𝐅𝐀𝐑𝐄 𝐂𝐂 🏏

A very proud moment for the club as Alec Holdaway was presented with his MCC cap by Rogerstone Welfare Cricket Club Chair & Stalwart Derek Picken BEM (British Empire Medal), officially becoming a full member of the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC).

In doing so, Alec becomes the first player in Rogerstone Welfare Cricket Club’s 100 year history to become a full MCC member — a fantastic achievement and a special piece of history for both Alec and the club. 👏

Alec was also instrumental in arranging the memorable fixture between Rogerstone Welfare CC and the MCC during our centenary celebrations, following his contact with Mark O’Leary and Paul Rees.

The two clubs met on 25th August, 2023, with MCC eventually winning a brilliant contest by just 14 runs. Alec played a huge part in taking the game right to the wire, scoring 77 for Rogerstone on a day that will live long in the club’s history. 🏏

Becoming a full MCC member is an achievement in itself. While the waiting list for non-playing membership can stretch for decades, Alec earned his opportunity through the playing route. After being invited to represent MCC and completing the required process, he entered a two-year playing period, during which players must demonstrate not only their ability on the field, but also the values and Spirit of Cricket associated with the club.

Having successfully completed that journey, Alec is now a fully fledged member of the MCC (now needing to commit 20 games in 5 years to complete the overall membership). ❤️💛

We’re absolutely delighted for him. Over the years, Alec has given countless hours to Rogerstone Welfare CC through coaching, sponsorship, volunteering and supporting the development of the club, always wanting to help make Rogerstone as successful and inclusive as possible.

Around 18 years after first playing cricket for Rogerstone Welfare’s Under 13’s team, he’s now made a little piece of history.

We hope there are many more years ahead of Alec wearing the jersey and giving back to the club that has been such a big part of his cricketing journey.

Congratulations, Alec — thoroughly deserved! 👏🏏

Rogerstone Welfare CC 🤝 Marylebone Cricket Club

🏏 A FANTASTIC SEASON FOR OUR U13s! 💚

A huge well done to our Under 13s, who have secured 2nd place in the league after another fantastic season! 👏🏏

It’s been brilliant to see the team develop throughout the year, with some exciting new talent coming through and the players continuing to grow both individually and as a group.

A massive thank you to Kieran Sharratt for all his hard work, time and commitment managing the team throughout the season. The effort that goes into organising, coaching and supporting the players is hugely appreciated. 🙌

And finally, a big thank you to all the parents for your continued support, time, lifts, encouragement and everything you do to make junior cricket possible. 💚

Well done everyone — another great season and plenty to be proud of! 🏏💚

🚨 NEW SIGNING | HAMZA RANA 🚨

We’re absolutely delighted to announce the signing of Hamza Rana from Lisvane CC! 🏏💚🖤

This is a signing that demonstrates our ambition, expectations and intentions as a club moving forward, as we continue to build towards an exciting future at Rogerstone Welfare CC.

Head Coach Alec Holdaway said:

“Hamza has been a long-term target of ours and someone I’ve been working hard to bring to the club over the last couple of weeks.

“We’ve had some really positive conversations with Hamza recently. He understands our intentions and expectations for the 2027 season, and he’s excited by the opportunity to push himself in a new environment.

“We’re absolutely delighted to bring in a player of Hamza’s quality. Hopefully he settles into the group quickly and can make an immediate impact, putting us in a strong position as we approach the end of the 2026 season.”

A huge welcome to Rogerstone Welfare CC, Hamza! 🤝💚

A statement of intent. Proud to wear the Castle. 🏰💚🖤

🏏 CRICKET AT THE HEART OF THE COMMUNITY 🏏

Nestled right in the heart of the Jubilee Park community, Rogerstone Welfare Grounds is a brilliant place to spend a summer Saturday. 💚

Whether you’re a cricket fan, out for a walk, or just fancy somewhere to relax with a drink, our bar is OPEN on match days! 🍻☀️

Come down, enjoy some local cricket and soak up the atmosphere.

📅 Saturday 1st August
📍 Rogerstone Welfare Grounds
⏰ From 12:30pm
🍺 Bar open throughout the afternoon
🏏 Rogerstone Welfare CC vs Sully Cricket Club

You don’t have to be a member or a cricket expert — everyone is welcome! 🙌

Come and support local cricket, enjoy a drink and spend an afternoon right in the heart of our community. 🏏🍻💚

Proud to wear the castle. 🏰