13/05/2026
Three games. Three wins. The return of teas. The return of the Sunday team. New families involved. A brilliant full start to the season.
Let's start with Ed Bevan's report of our Sunday game.. ✍️
On a chilly Sunday morning, the Brecon Friendly XI assembled for their first outing against local rivals Llanfrynach CC in what promised to be a true spectacle of the finest form of cricket. The stakes were high: the coveted right to use the home dressing room in the reverse fixture in September. Thirty overs a side separated the teams from glory. 🥊
The skippers, Matty Roderick and Ed Bevan, went out to the middle for the toss. Ed, without a penny to his name, produced a chocolate from Brecon Tandoori, which would have to suffice. Matty called “Thank you”, but it landed on the blank side, and Brecon would bowl first. 🍫
Brecon got off to a good start. Rowan Starkey was given LBW by his dad off the bowling of Matt Haslam in the second over, and our tails were up. Llanfrynach, however, had other plans and, with some sublime batting on a difficult wicket, began to rebuild, reaching 59/1 before a fantastic display of bowling from a trio of juniors swung the momentum back towards Brecon. This included the wicket of recent centurion Dan Witcomb, whose wicket had evaded Blaengarw for so long on Saturday. Eugene Xavier Tras top-scored with a noble 36, and LCC ended the innings on 172/9 — a fine score, but not an impossible chase.
Up and down the country, Covid had an often unseen effect, and cricket was no different. Teas, previously the most anticipated part of the game, had been ruled out, and individuals got into the habit of bringing their own. A shared buffet had become an organisational faff too far, seemingly never to return. ☕
On Sunday, we put that idea to the sword. Never again will we sit in our changing rooms munching alone on a sad meal deal from Morrisons. The old tablecloths were scrubbed down and the forgotten chinaware restored to their rightful place. What followed was a feeding frenzy that would make David Attenborough blush, complete with “bloody lush” pork pie, a cheese board with piccalilli and relish, sausage rolls, sandwiches, and some exceedingly good cake. Teas are back, baby!
With full bellies and renewed vigour, Brecon got their pads on. Tom Scott-Lowe faced the first over and, after hitting a magnificent 2, found his legs weighed down with bits of Victoria sponge in his pocket and was trapped LBW by Patrick Deveney-Billinge.
What followed was a spectacular batting collapse. With only Tom Mclean and Rhys Pritchard reaching double figures, all looked lost at 76/9. But cometh the hour, cometh the men. Batsman number 9 Matt Haslam came to the crease armed with his 1-wood and teed off alongside career tail-ender Ed Bevan. 😱
What began as an impossible finish rapidly became an achievable one, and with a 50 partnership reached, the field went quiet. Llanfrynach brought on their best bowlers, but the grit and determination from these fine players proved too much. Brecon won the match with three balls to spare thanks to a 98-run last-wicket partnership and a first-ever 50 for man of the match Haslam. We’re expecting the Glamorgan call-up imminently. 🏴
Overall, it must be said that cricket won the day. The game was played in the best spirit, and we can’t wait for the reverse fixture.
Our next friendly match is at Hay-on-Wye on 21st June — see you all there!
✍️ Now for the 2nd XI
The 2nd XI made the trip to Blaengarw and Coedely, where they tasted victory last year.
With a less than optimal fielding display, the home team amassed an imposing 251. The effervescent Gwyn Price the pick of the bowlers with 2-32 off his seven overs. Huw Griffiths also bagged a pair of scalps, after making his return to BCC colours.
A big total but one that on a small ground could be taken down. And so it was. Skipper, John Kenchington contributed with his usual jug-avoiding score of 45. Henry Alp Williams played a brilliant hand down the order with 34. But the day belonged to Dan Whitcomb with 92 not out. A brilliant innings that saw us home with more than three overs to spare. 💪
✍️ And to finish things off, here's what the 1st XI got up to.
A solid win!
Ryan Morgan and Ed Bevan eased their way into the season, with all-rounders Rhys Pritchard and James Mitchell offering control. Rayhan Uddin mopped up the tail. Blaina all out for 166 and a manageable run chase ahead. It could have been less not for some uncharacteristic drops.
The early season jitters showed as Brecon fell to 39 for 3. But a rapid 68 from Rhys Pritchard and a controlled 35 not out from Dan Bowen brought Brecon home, ably assisted by tail ender Ryan Morgan with a season best of 16.
Up the Brecon!
