LAST Saturday (20th June), Penallt Cricket Club travelled the short journey to Dymock in their latest Forest of Dean Division 1 encounter.

Visiting skipper Dave Wilding lost the toss and Penallt were invited to bat on a grassy, but dry wicket.

The youthful Dymock attack included the returning 1st XI all-rounder Dan Jones.

He and his opening partner did well to control the run rate while Penallt openers Chris Margetts (49) and Guy Adams (41) did well to preserve their wicket at times, including surviving a torrential downpour and the ensuing change in the wicket.

Indeed they had an opening stand of more than 100 in around 23 overs.

It was then that a double strike by Dymock stymied any quickening of the run rate.

Not long after the double whammy of losing their opening batsmen, Penallt continued to lose wicket after wicket until the break.

Only Wilding showed a glimmer of hope in his brisk 19 and Penallt eventually closed on 177-8 from their allotted 40 overs.

Dymock had bowled and fielded excellently and their opening batsman continued the home side's dominance of the match.

Penallt were always on the back foot with Dymock's Dan Jones and Vince Bush (85 not out) scoring freely, and always well in front of the required run rate.

Needless to say, Dymock only lost two wickets in the run chase, achieving their goal with overs to spare.