Twenty Twenty Cricket

Twenty Twenty Cricket may be the new sensation that's got everybody talking and Sir Allen Stanford and his millions may also be able to hype up what has become a very dull, dreary game BUT did you know that this form of the game was being played in the Rhondda during the 1970's. The Rhondda Midweek Cricket League was a competition played between Rhondda sides from Blaenrhondda, Treorchy, Ton Pentre (who I played for), Thomas and Evans (Porth), Christchurch (the only Rhondda Fach side), Edmonstown, Tonyrefail and Hopkinstown. I recall making my debut for Ton Pentre when I was about fourteen and once took four wickets for about seven runs in four overs which was the league best for that year. I also remember batting on "the mat" at Dinas Football field in the pitch dark as the game finished about 8.45 p.m. Brian Morgan "The Prince of Rhondda Batsmen" as he was dubbed by the Rhondda Leader was amazed that I could bat that well in such gloomy conditions. It is good to see that he and other vets like Stef Hughes and Graham "Spam" Williams keep playing and that some youngsters like Andrew Price and Mark Thomas who were brought into the club by my fellow head teacher Greg Reynolds still keep the club going from strength to strength.