Newport Cricket Club win the SWPL T20 trophy in the Finals Day 

at the SSE SWALEC Stadium.

Michael Clayden Receives the SWPL T20 Winners Trophy

from SWPL Chairman, Paul Morgan

The first semi final had nearly gone to plan with Bridgend winning against Port Talbot, but then the 
rain interferred! With no play possible the second semi final between Newport and Ammanford 
had to be decided on a 'Bowl Out'.

Five players for each team had to bowl 2 balls each. With Ammanford bowling their 2 balls first 
Newport were always behind until the last pair, when young Australian Callum Taylor struck the 
decisive blow:-

1st Pair: Ammanford 0 Newport 0

2nd Pair: Ammanford 2 (Alun Evans) Newport 2 (Kam Leverock)
3rd Pair: Ammanford 2 Newport 2

4th Pair: Ammanford 3 Newport 3 (Zalmai)

5th Pair: Ammanford 3 Newport 4 (Callum Taylor)

The Team Congratulate Kam After His Two 'Strikes' To Level the scores

With the rain relenting the Final against Bridgend proceeded, but was reduced to an 18 overs a side match.

The Captains Toss, While the Covers Are Moved Off The Wicket

Newport captain, Michael Clayden won the toss and put Bridgend in to bat. Sam Pearce who had already 
scored an impressive 68 in Bridgend's semi final win looked a real threat, but it was Newport's Kam Leverock
who struck first blow claiming the wicket of Wood (4) with the score on 20-1 in the 2nd over of the innings. 
Nick Davies joined Pearce and it was looking bleak for Newport as they rattled up the runs at a brisk rate, with 
60 on the board after just 6 overs. However, at 83 off 9 overs, young Australian Callum Taylor, claimed the 
important wicket of Pearce for an aggressive 44 off just 30 balls. Darren Thomas joined Davies and the two 
formed a useful partnership taking the Bridgend score to 118-3 off 12.3 overs, before Thomas was out for 25 
off the bowling of Josh Aston. A daunting total was looking possible, but the Newport bowlers had other ideas 
and when Aston claimed a further wicket, that of Davies for 40 off 36 balls, with the score on 132-4 off 14.3 overs
a glimmer of a turn around was on the cards. Alex Jones and Tom Dalton tried to give the Bridgend innings further 
impetus, but it was the Newport bowlers who began to take a grip on the game and just 19 runs were scored off 
the final 3 overs of the innings. Zalmai Ahmadzai, Harry Powell (4 overs for 20 and Aston 2-20 gained the upper 
hand and the Bridgend total ended on 151-4 off their 18 overs with Dalton run out for 12 with a direct hit by 
Scott Thornton off the final ball of the innings.

Newport in reply opened with Kam Leverock and Imran Hassan, who quickly showed their intentions scoring a 
rapid 30 off the first two overs of the innings. The severity of the opening onslaught took Bridgend by complete 
surprise and with boundaries being scored freely by some power hitting, Newport had moved to 60-0 off just 
5 overs. Leverock saw his chance and smashed a further 34 (5 sixes and a four) in 6 consecutive balls, as the 
game was quickly taken away from Bridgend. The first wicket partnership was finally broken at 119 off just 
9.1 overs, when Leverock was out for an amazing 57 in just 26 balls which included 5 fours and 5 sixes.
 

Nearly There! ..... The Players Relax As Newport Ease To Victory

With just 33 needed off 11 overs the game was in the bag, Hassan still led the way scoring a fine 60 (11 fours) 
off 36 balls, before he was out at 133-2 in 11.2 overs. Michael Clayden (13no) kept the scoreboard ticking over, 
and despite losing two late wickets Newport romped home to victory by 6 wkts with 4.1overs to spare.

Click Above For Full Match day scorecard

Michael Clayden Leads The Victorious Newport Team Off The Field After Their Fine Win

Newport CC .... SWPL T20 Champions

Newport now play in the ECB National T20 Area Play offs where they will compete against Area winners from 
West of England, Devon and Cornwall. 

Newport will host the next round which will be on Sunday, August 7th. Start 10.30am with 
Semi Finals and Finals. The Winners of the Regional finals will progress through to the 
The National Finals which are normally screened live on Sky Sports.

Why not come along and support the team.... it should be a great day!