1892 Season
The Barry Dock News of April 29th 1892 shown the Barry & Cadoxton District XI (aka Barry) to have a very full proposed fixture list for the coming season for First and Second Eleven teams, with the additional feature of regular Wednesday afternoon games being scheduled throughout the summer. Most of the games would be played at home on the Witchill Athletic Grounds while most of the away games in and around Cardiff with visits to Penarth and Wenvoe pencilled in.
Barry Dock were playing at the Buttrills and early fixtures featured one W.West and Dr.Livingstone. First and Second Eleven teams were run and the First also played home games at Porthkerry Park a pith they shared with the Barry Congregational and Barry Church teams.
The Barry first XI opened up at the Witchill against Cathays on Wednesday may 4th. Batting first Barry scored 77, H.Waters to scoring with 20 an B.T. Pomeroy 19. The visitors scored just 20 all out. H.Waters too four wickets and W.Thomas six and all victims bar one were clean bowled.
The Saturday games began with a visit to Cardiff Arms Park on May 7th and the News reported the game thus:
“These teams met at the Cardiff Arms Park on Saturday last, in glorious cricket weather. Selwyn Biggs (who hit 33) and Gowan Clark opened the Cardiff innings, Llewellyn and Morgan trundling. The partnership was not of long duration, however, for only half-a- dozen runs had been scored when Gowan Clark, opening his shoulders to Morgan, was bowled.
Marley followed in, but he met a like fate, Llewellyn this time being the successful trundler. Norman Biggs now joined his brother, but without any addition to the score, he was given out leg before wicket to Llewellyn, and George Young took his place. Runs continued to come slowly, but no separation being effected, Ingram took the ball from Llewellyn, but the new bowler met with a severe punishment, Young putting the ball away splendidly for seven, Selwyn Biggs immediately after scoring a like amount. Thereafter wickets fell rapidly, and the innings finished off for a total of 99.2
In reply Barry could only score 60 all out. W.M. Douglas who took four wickets also starred with the bat scoring 24, whilst F. Morgan with 16 was the only other score of note.
Wednesday may 11th brought the works team Boyle and Co. to the Witchill and they slumped to a dismal 14 all out, Willett with four victims and H. Lee with five doing the damage. The District, as was custom, batted through until all out and scored 85 so securing an easy win. Dr Livingstone scored 18 as an opening bat, but extras top scored with 20.
Saturday May 14th brought quite a hammering at home to St Paul's who romped home by one wicket and 98 runs. Barry were dismissed for 27 all out, with the visiting bowler Evans enjoying himself immensely as he returned figures of 8 for 14. True, Barry was weakened by the absence of the likes of Higman, Pomeroy, Ingram and Morris, but this was a heavy beating. The visitors piled up 125 for 9, with Evans completing a fine game by scoring 50.
The Saturday eleven then faced a daunting trip to Penarth on May 21st. The Seasiders, who included their professional Sparks and his unbeaten14 counted for little as the home team piled up a score of 164 for 3, Captain W. Douglas claimed two wickets, but D.C. Davies with 57 and J.G. Llewellyn with 45 added a partnership of 70 which hurt the Barry team quite badly. The visitors were then bowled out for 50,F.W. Morgan the Penarth captain taking 6 for 25 from 14.2 overs. Only W.T. Llewellyn made into double figures scoring an unbeaten 11. Penarth’s score was its highest of the season.
The Saturday second XI opened its fixtures the very same day making the short trip to Wenvoe. The home team batted first scoring 93, to which the visitors could only reply with 47 all out. The reporter of the time describe the Barry bowling as "not puzzling, but generally on the wicket." Make of that what you will. Godfrey took four wickets and Howells five for the District, but only opener T. Thomas with 14 really troubled the scorer.
May ended with an end to the losing streak as a draw was claimed by Barry first XI on May 28th against St. Mary's at Cardiff Arms Park. The Saints batted first and scored 108 Higman took five wickets and Douglas four. The District batsmen put up their best showing of the season to date hitting 90 for 8 in response. L. Rees hit 27 and Pomeroy, who was developing into one of the District's more reliable batsman scored 26.
The seconds completed a better day for the club when they beat the visiting Cardiff YMCA at the Witchill by runs. Barry scored 77 all out (W .Morse 19*) and then bowled out the YMCA batsmen for 48, H,Waters taking 4 for 18.
Unfortunately, no reports of June's early fixtures are made but an interesting sign of the times was given in a letter of June 10th when, to the consternation of the News' readers, Cadoxton was duly described by the writer "Ratepayer" as "being haunted" By a veritable horde of nocturnal sheep, horses and ponies, which no doubt were after the grass of the cricket ground at the nearby Witchill. All this happening in a town not five years old and exporting 4 million tons of coal per annum!
The Wednesday XI drew its game in Cardiff against Commercials on June 8th. The home team were bowled out for 92, with W.T Llewellyn taking four scalps, but the game petered out as a draw with District making 66 for 2, Pomeroy scoring an undefeated 23 and Llewellyn 22.
June 11th took the Barry back to Cardiff Arms Park where they were hosted by University College Cardiff. The game was described as a "pleasant affair" and saw the Barry team pass three figures for the first time in the season. Barry scored 125 for 8 declared of which the newcomer Fountain scored 43, though he really should have been stumped when he reached 29. Higman was also showing something like a return to form, was second highest score with 27.
Barry claimed a winning draw by keeping their hosts to 77 for 7 when stumps were drawn. W.T. Llewellyn gave a wonderful display of control when bowling and returned the splendid analysis of 6 for 21 off 18 overs, 11 of which were maidens.
The Wednesday XI continued its good run with a win away to Penarth United on June 15th. Barry scored just 60 all out but won a low scoring encounter thanks to fine work in the field and bowling which saw United dismissed for 43. Pomeroy top scored with 11 for District whilst Douglas took five of the ten wickets and Llewellyn four.
Barry switched its fixture against Cardiff Seconds to the Arms Park giving a second successive visit to the chief city of the Principality on June 18th. Cardiff scored 145 with Thomas completing an innings of 57and Higman collected four scalps. Thomas' knock was almost the entire score of the Barry team as it fell to 60 all out, Fountain top scoring with 22.
The Seconds also had a fixture at Penarth and like the first team, succumbed to defeat, losing by 36 runs. Penarth totalled 97 all out, the District 60 all out and the Seasiders’ bowlers W. Rawle and G. Sheppard both took five wickets.
The District First XI were becoming more familiar with the Arms Park than their own Witchill ground as the team again ventured into the city to play St. Paul's on July 2nd. The previous week's scheduled game against Canton unfortunately succumbed to the heavy rain that fell. The home team declared its innings with the score at 112 for 3, Paul having scored 65 against the luckless Barry bowlers. Barry were skittled for a woeful 25 all out thus losing by 87 runs.
The next reported fixture was on July 13th when Barry’s Wednesday eleven, who were certainly having a better run of results than that of the Saturday firsts or seconds, beat Cardiff Commercials. Barry scored 76 all out, with B.T. Pomeroy enhancing his reputation as one of Barry’s best batsmen again top scoring with a fine 27 while WL Hughes scored an unbeaten 14 and C. Masters 14
Responding, Commercials scored just 35 with two Barry bowlers accounting for all 10 wickets. L. Willets took six and Roberts the other four. Masters, who enjoyed a great game also snaffled two catches on what proved a good afternoon for him.
After the game, Mr. & Mrs. Hoddinott of the Witchill Hotel played host to both teams where "they partook of a knife and fork tea, which was very nicely served." After the match, as was customary for the times, both teams
entertained themselves by singing songs after the usual toasts had been performed. Willet and Masters both gave renditions of popular ditties of 1892.
The next report was filed for the Second XI match played at the Witchill ground on July 23rd against Penarth seconds. Well more a mixture of firsts and seconds as Penarth first timers made the trip and was no surprise when the visitors won by 52 runs. Barry batted first scoring 55 L. Willet compiling 16 and Mulvey colleting six wickets. Penarth batted on after there target had been passed, scoring 107 for 5, Eli Kirby (later to play for Barry) the opening bat, notching 51 very useful runs.
The return fixture between the teams second strings took place at Penarth on July 30th Barry again coming off second best The Seasiders were bowled out for 101 for 6, Love scoring 40 Jenkin Lewis took four wickets and then opened the District innings which petered out at a total of 52.
First XI fixtures were few and far between, or at least reports in the local press were, leaving the seconds to carry the torch. On August 13th the District reserves met Barry Dock at the latter’s ground at the Buttrills and lost, their score of 64 being surpassed by a total of 71. Only R. Griffiths for Barry got to grips with the bowling, scoring 28.
August 20th saw the seconds play an unusual game versus the town’s Gas Company. Barry batted first scoring 94. District were then skittled out for 60, but batted again scoring 88 for 9, Pomeroy hitting 46. The Gas Company were granted the win by virtue of the teams’ scores on the first innings.
Wednesday September 1st saw a return to action for the many of the first XI players as the midweek team played Penarth United Cricket Clubs at the Witchill. Both teams fielded 12 players and the homes side won thanks to some irresistible bowling from Llewellyn and W.M. Douglas who shared all eleven wicket to fall, the latter claiming six. Barry scored just 47 but their visitors just 13 all out. A good way to end a mixed campaign.
Cricket reporting, as expected, fell into abeyance a the winter closed in but in early February 1893, the Barry Dock News announced that” a movement was on foot for the establishment of a public athletic ground for the Barry district, and stated that steps had been taken to obtain land in a convenient and central position for this purpose”.
Now this was interesting. And we will be hearing more of Mr Forrest later and in a beneficial light too.
The following letters then appeared in the News during February 1893.
DEAR SIR,
I have been requested to communicate with you on the subject of the establishment of an athletic ground in the Barry district, and knowing the interest you take in athletics generally, I feel you will render us all the assistance in your power. Of course, the initial difficulty is the one of ground, etc.
It is hoped that Lord Windsor may grant a portion of ground on Barry Island, which could be laid out as ft bicycle track, and for football, cricket, and general sports purposes, and this, with the pro posed tramway to the Island, would be a very convenient situation.
It is proposed, should we be successful in obtaining the promise of sufficient ground, to convene a meeting of the various clubs, so as to act in concert for the benefit of the place and for athletics generally.
I should be glad to hear from you hereon.
Yours faithfully,
F. P. JONES-LLOYD.
Robert Forrest, Esq., St. Fagan's, near Cardiff. St. Fagan's, then replied on February 4th, 1893.
DEAR SIR,—In reply to yours of the 3rd instant, I am afraid I cannot give any expression of opinion with regard to the athletic ground, at any rate, at the present time.
I will bear the matter in mind, but it seems to me there will be some difficulty in arranging anything on the island side.
Yours faithfully, R. FORREST
The News then added that a Mr T Jones, captain of the Barry Cycle Club, and F. P. Jones Lloyd, Esq., Pembroke Chambers, Holton-road, Barry Dock has also bestirred himself in the same direction and as a result of his efforts, has received from Mr Forrest an assurance that an effort will be made to secure a piece of land on the Island, but,failing this, he may be able to secure a suitable tract on the Romilly estate, of which Mr Forrest is likewise chief agent. There are, therefore, reasonable grounds for hope that the Barry district will ere long be provided with a much-needed public athletic ground.
And so the seeds were sown for Barry cricket to find a home at the Island. But almost a decade was to pass before that came to be....
