Saturday saw the start of the league cricket season, with everyone grateful that the current COVID situation allows the return of the game with appropriate measures in place.

At Bryn-y-Don, the home side took to the field wearing black armbands and held a minute's silence in memory of Peter Colley, who died earlier this year. 

A fitting tribute to a club stalwart and former player who gave his all to Dinas Powys over many seasons. The game itself was a topsy-turvy affair, with Dinas Second XI beating Llantwit Fardre Firsts in a close contest that could have gone either way.

With their opposition inserted on a good-looking pitch, Dinas began relatively tidily thanks to opening bowlers Richard Morgan and the returning Upinder Singh.

One too many short balls kept Fardre chugging along at around 4-an-over before James Hiscocks entered the fray and saw his first delivery carted into the long grass. But the wily leggie soon found his line and length, eventually returning figures of 3-54 from a solid, if not colourful, 8 over spell.

Young Olly Hurley bowled an effective 8 overs for 1 wicket, though it was his contemporary Will Palmer who stood out from the pack – a return of 3-39 just rewards for an impressive spell made all the better given the match situation. He had his captain to thank for coming into the attack with 17 overs to go and the Fardre batsmen looking to get on with it.

Nevertheless, a mixture of drift, spin and a full length did for three established batters – all bowled. The Villagers', with thanks largely to Palmer and co, ended by restricted their opposition to 209-9 off 40 overs – an achievable target that looked 20 or 30 light on what they could have got having been 141-3.

In response, Dinas openers Lloyd DiMauro and Alun Harris, both with a point to prove, started brightly, putting on 40 for the first wicket.

Harris looked in fine form before falling for 35, but Nathan Bennett quickly picked up the baton en route to a belligerent 45.With wickets falling at regular intervals, Dinas needed an anchor – someone to stick around long enough to hold the innings together – and that person was Olly Hurley.

The Dinas teenager batted with a maturity that belied his years and took the Villagers to victory by 4 wickets. His match-winning 62 not out was ultimately the difference between the two sides, in a game with more swings than a child's playground.

But he needed support along the way, and the Seconds' very own 'finisher' Red Todd-Bennett (16) played the perfect foil for his young sidekick, who hit 7 fours and 3 sixes. As it was, Todd-Bennett fell just before he could finish and Hiscocks hit the winning runs to get Dinas Powys off to a flying start. A maximum-point win on the first day of the season bodes well for an eclectic mix of old and young, fit and not-so-fit.

The 3rds entertained Bridgend Town 4ths on the common and ran out winners by 4 wickets. Town were restricted to 178-7 with skipper and man of the match Gareth Storey taking 3-15, and in reply leading the way with an unbeaten 74 along with 50 not out for Ryan Mullins to ensure victory.

The 1sts travelled to Whitchurch where sadly the weather won the day with Whitchurch on 110-1.

On Sunday, a friendly XI took on a Penarth XI on the Common winning by 102 runs. Dinas were 202 all out, Ryan Mullins top scoring with 67, and in reply the opposition were bowled out for 116 with Andy Hurley taking 2-3.