ON a cold drizzly morning Llanarth seconds were surprised to find their match away to Lisvane was still on and made the trip to Cardiff with little enthusiasm.
The weather there was a little drier but no less cold and the open windswept spaces of the University Ground offered no shelter from the brisk north-easter that was blowing down the ground.
Having negotiated a reduced game of 37 overs Llanarth won the toss and opted to bowl first. This move looked to have back-fired as the home sides veteran openers Peter Allen and Peter Williams racked up an opening partnership of 80.
The bowlers struggled to cope with the wind and the fielders were having trouble with the bumpy rugby pitch outfield.
After the mid-innings drinks break however everything changed. Whether it was the invigorating qualities of the ice cold squash, an inspirational team talk or the shrewd bowling changes that made the difference we may never know, but the results were immediate and dramatic.
Four wickets went down in as many overs with the destroyer in chief being 14 year old Hugh Carthew who in only his second senior league game returned the impressive figures of three for 18 off his five overs.
Lisvane staged something of a recovery by means of a steady innings from Glyn Williams and a violent 30 from Richie Long, but after he was removed by Jonty Jones their innings limped to a final total of 159-6.
In reply Llanarth got off to a good start with Douglas Spencer playing his first league game since 2007 and Barney Woodward both punishing the bowling with some strong shots. Spencer eventually played on when the score was 52 but Woodward in partnership with Rhys Willbourn and then John Morgan took the score on to 117, before Morgan was unluckily run out as a result of a freak direct hit from a fielder 50 yards away who was aiming at the other end!
After another wicket fell quickly Eian Johnson came to the wicket and despite his avowed intent to play sensibly in support of Woodward, he proceeded to unleash an array of powerful shots. Some actually connected resulting in a long trek for the fielders who had to retrieve the ball, however many others succeeded only in adding to the already considerable wind chill factor.
With the job nearly done Woodward holed out for an excellent 74, leaving Jonty Jones to hold up an end whilst Johnson knocked off the rest finishing with a career best 32 not out.
This was a good result for a very young side with only only players over 20 and hopefully the near death experience from hypothermia suffered by several players will encourage them to acquire a sweater!