England v Sri Lanka, Day 3, Cardiff, 28/05/11

Day 3 of the Cardiff Test did not get under way until 2pm due to morning drizzle, but after play started it was relentless accumulation from Alistair Cook and Jonathan Trott, who both posted hundreds in a record stand. (report).

Trott bats and bats

as does Alistair Cook

The Saturday crowd was the healthiest

with Jeff Thompson at tea

Trott passes 100 (you tube)

under the floodlights

Alistair Cook passing 100 on you tube.

England v Sri Lanka, Cardiff, Day 2, 27/05/11

The best weather of the recent Test Match in Cardiff was on Day 2, Friday, which saw Sri Lanka build up a total of 400 (report).

Andrew Strauss leads out England

Kumar Sangakara in the nets

Lunchtime Q&A: Jeff Thomson and Alec Stewart

Tommo...

with Alec Stewart in the 12th man tent

A good Friday crowd

right around the River Taff End

Tremlett

Prasanna Jayawardene 112

Fury UK plus Triaxis, Steelhouse, 20/05/11

Another excellent night at The Steelhouse (Ebbw Vale RFC) last Friday with (at last) some full on heavy metal from South Wales based Triaxis and main act Fury UK from Manchester.

In fact, I heard more Dave Murray riffs and Steve Harris bass lines in 3 hours than I would have done at an Iron Maiden soundcheck, but , hey, I'm not complaining.

Triaxis

First up were Triaxis, whose flyer quotes Priest, Megadeth and Testament as influences, and that's about right. To be honest, they're better than Testament, as a blistering 30 minute set proved when it went down a storm, topped off perfectly by a cover of Maiden's 'Wicker Man'.

Owen and Giles form a mean rhythm section, and Glyn's lead guitar is blistering, whilst the splendid guitar work of 'CJ' combined with dominant vocals of Krissie (pic) attracted the male attention. Check them out on myspace.

The excellent Triaxis

Fury UK

Fury UK (web) have established a good reputation in the rock world. Classic Rock rates them highly for example. They have 3 albums out, inclduing the latest, 'Way Of Life'.

They rocked hard and loud, and the three piece certainly pack a punch. Check them out (myspace)

Luke Appleton - bass

Chris Appleton - lead guitar and vocals

Next month, sees Catch The Rainbow, tribute band therein, at The Steelhouse. "Long Live Rock'N'Roll".

Glamorgan v Gloucestershire, Cardiff, 15/05/11

Glamorgan eased to a 4 wicket victory over a poor Gloucestershire outfit at Cardiff on Sunday, and moved up to third in Group C of the CB40 competition.

In truth, it wasn't a great advertisement for 40 over cricket, as it was really cold for May and the pitch really slow and low thereby discouraging attacking stroke play.

Match report here

Will Owen to Chris Taylor

James Harris to Alex Gidman

Ed Young to Gareth Rees

Allenby lbw Taylor 30

Glamorgan v Kent, Cardiff, 10,11,12/05/11

Glamorgan comprehensively defeated a poor Kent outfit by an innings and eight runs at the Swalec Stadium this to confound the critics who predicted gloom and doom following the winter of discontent.

Sharp bowling and outcricket built upon a consistent batting display, the highlight of which was a Mark Wallace century, ensured that the 4 day match was over in effectively 2 and a half days.

Full report here.

Dean Cosker bowling

Mark Wallace passing 100 here...

... and here

Cyprus @ Easter, April 2011

This Easter, we had a splendid week of R&R at the Atlantica Golden Beach just outside Paphos in Cyprus.

Glamorgan v Essex, Cardiff, 07/05/11

Rain ruined Glamorgan's 40 over contest with Essex on Friday night in front of a poor crowd at the Swalec Stadium.

The Dragons scored 222 in their 40 overs due to a patient 88 from skipper Alviro Petersen, 51 from Gareth Rees and 28 from Graham Wagg, before the heavens opened and we all went home early.

David Masters to Rees

South African bowler Lopsy Tsotsobe

Petersen drives Graham Napier

New England ODI captain...

...Alastair Cook

Cardiff under the lights

Wagg hits out

Ebbw Vale 13 Glamorgan Wanderers 16, 30/04/11

A cruel bounce of the ball robbed Ebbw Vale of the chance to play for a place in next year's Premier Division. A 78th minute try by the Wanderes overturned Ebbw's lead gained through a penalty try just minutes earlier.

To quote from the Ebbw Vale website:

"In a tight and tense game at Cardiff Arms Park, it was the Premier Division's bottom side, Glamorgan Wanderers, who emerged as winners. For critics of the play off system, it was a Blues regional player (the excellent Josh Navidi) and a full back on permit from another Premiership team (former Ebbw points machine, Gareth Cull) who scored 13 of the Ely side's points.

We congratulate the Wanderers on a hard fought victory that will see them take on Division One West champions Bridgend next Saturday. Ebbw's points came from a penalty try after tremendous pressure by the Steelmen pack, and two penalties and a conversion by Dorian Jones.

Congratulations to Neil Edwards and his fellow coaches, players and backroom staff for the most enjoyable season for years, and here's to another one in Division One East next year."

We really got our game going in the 2nd half as our pack turned the screw on a faltering Wanderers, but it wasn't to be. Furthermore, I really can't see the Wanderers beating Bridgend next Saturday (nor do I think we would have).

And I really can't add anymore to that Trevor.