CLUB WATCH: Rain Frustrates on Opening Weekend in Welsh Cricket

Despite all five matches in south Wales’ premier division being abandoned due to rain, clubs had their opportunity to show their promise for the season ahead.

Newport suffered final day heartbreak last season when the wicket of Harry Friend, taken by Bhavya Doshi swung the bonus point of an abandoned game in St Fagans’ favour. Though an abandonment hurt them again on Saturday, positive signs were evident for 18-year-old Glamorgan rookie Jack Hope-Bell who scored an unbeaten century against Pontarddulais.

The champions, however, had their match with Bridgend Town resting in the balance. Wales National Counties’ head coach and player Brad Wadlan took three wickets on his return to the club after a spell away. Steven Reingold continued where he left off from last season with a half-century to go with match-winning performances a day later to secure St Fagans the South Wales Premier League’s T20 Cup delayed from 2025.

Cardiff were well on their way to setting a match-winning total over Ammanford before rain hit. Former Glamorgan all-rounder Prem Sisodiya was one of four batters to start the season strongly. The two newcomers – Penarth and Carmarthen Wanderers – faced off on the opening day. Cardiff UCCE player Jude Wright struck 45 at the top of the order to set Penarth on their way to 246 before rain hit west Wales.

Three current Glamorgan players were represented in Usk against Abergavenny on Saturday. Will Smale scored 71 from just 47 balls as one of three half-centuries in the Monmouthshire derby.

In north Wales, a repeat of last season’s first vs second marked the opening day. Christopher Taylor’s all-round performance brought Brymbo out on top to defeat defending champions Bangor.

Menai Bridge made a statement to their opposition with 385 for 8 to beat newly promoted Hawarden Park by 158 runs. Overseas player, and former Canadian under-19 international, Ayush Verma struck a 74-ball 121 with support from Matthew Jones’ all-round display to make a flying start.

There were no nerves for fellow promoted side Mold who overcame Gwersyllt Park by 29 runs to put themselves on top at the earliest stage. St Asaph made light work of their potentially nervous chase against Mochdre, picking up a six-wicket win. Kyle Williams’ agonising 99 was the steady start to the season they needed to continue from their strong campaign in 2025.

Northop have lost Romano Franco for 2026 as the 18-year-old left-arm spinner was signed by Glamorgan after impressive Metro Bank One Day Cup performances. That could’ve been the difference in their 13-run defeat in a low scoring affair against Denbigh who will take confidence from a starting win after their eighth-placed finish last season.

The South Wales Women’s Premier League kicked off last week with wins coming for Radyr, beating Newport thanks to a century from former Glamorgan player Lydia Clements, and new side Western Steel who beat Pembroke by four wickets.

This weekend, Cardiff had a statement 60-run win over defending champions The Panthers thanks to 70 from captain Lucy King with support from Morgan Edwards and Alexandra Williams to beat a Wales-capped stacked side.

Glamorgan staff performances:

Henry Hurle 22 (19) for Cardiff CC.

Jack Hope-Bell 125 (129)* for Newport CC.

Romano Franco 11 (16) for Penarth CC.

Callum Nicholls 36 (66) for St Fagans CC.

Will Smale 71 (47) for Usk CC.

Ben Morris 0/70 (10) for Abergavenny CC.

Tom Norton dnb & dnb for Abergavenny CC.

Brief round up of scores from the weekend:

South Wales Premier League

Cardiff CC 316/5 (S Wyatt 80, S Evison 73, S Jones 45*, P Sisodiya 32*) v Ammanford CC. Match Abandoned.

Newport CC 239/5 (J Hope-Bell 125*, N Berry 33) v Pontarddulais CC. Match Abandoned.

Penarth CC 246 (J Wright 45, S Kumani 37, MT Nasir 31; O Binding 3/34) v Carmarthen Wanderers CC. Match Abandoned.

St Fagans CC 182/8 (S Reingold 59, C Nicholls 36, J Blades 33; B Wadlan 3/30) v Bridgend Town CC. Match Abandoned.

Usk CC 296/8 (W Smale 71, E Doyle 51, C Hemp 50, M Williams 43*; S Clarke 4/46) v Abergavenny CC. Match Abandoned.

North Wales Premier League

Brymbo CC 155/4 (C Taylor 71; J Maltby 3/39) beat Bangor CC 153 (J Grimshaw 39, S Parekh 35; C Taylor 3/26) by 6 wickets.

Denbigh CC 151/9 (S Lewis 35; S Williams 3/23) beat Northop CC 138 (L Greig 40; S Nash 3/21) by 13 runs.

Menai Bridge CC 385/8 (A Verma 121, M Jones 70, G Roberts 62, R Jones 57; M Wootton 3/79) beat Hawarden Park CC 227/7 (J Duker 91; M Jones 3/26) by 158 runs.

Mold CC 206 (I Noonan 49*, R Crane 48, M Samsodien 38; J Billington 3/29) beat Gwersyllt Park CC 177 (K Stoute 43, J Billington 34; M Samsodien 3/47) by 29 runs.

St Asaph CC 240/4 (K Williams 99, W Ryan 53) beat Mochdre CC 238/9 (W Evans 63, M Humphreys 48, A Davies 46; J Griffiths 4/31) by 6 wickets.

South Wales Women’s Premier League

Cardiff CC 246/5 (L King 70, M Edwards 46, A Williams 39) beat The Panthers 186 by 60 runs.