Magnificent Clarke century sets way for UCCE’s upset triumph

Cardiff student Xavie Clarke scored a remarkable 110 off 103 balls on the final day to beat Glamorgan in the final over of the day.

UCCE wicket keeper and brother of Western Storm professional Sophia Smale, Will, scooped Glamorgan’s new signing, Harry Podmore for six on the first ball of the final over of the day to secure the win.

The 22-year-old brother of Nottinghamshire and England Lions batter, Joe Clarke, came in at 18-2 for Cardiff UCCE chasing 274 set by the Welsh County earlier on day three.

Clarke’s innings was well supported by Morgan Bevans (27) with whom he had a century partnership to halt the Glamorgan wicket taking spree.

Eventually taking on the task of 198 runs in the final session, Clarke’s departure didn’t dent the winning ambitions leaving 88 to win from 14.3 overs.

Rhodri Lewis (43 from 34 balls) and Smale’s (38 not out from 45 balls) invaluable seventh wicket partnership of 69 kept the run rate motoring as set by Clarke throughout the innings.

Scoring at over five-and-a-half an over, Glamorgan were on top in the early parts of the final day. Despite struggles once more from Northeast (2) and Carlson (20), Colin Ingram’s 63 combined with knocks from Billy Root (54 not out) and Chris Cooke’s run-a-ball 44 not out, David Lloyd declared on 228-5 midway through the afternoon session.

Attack is the best form of defence

Clarke’s century from an unlikely position of 18-2 after five overs came at a destructive rate. After being dropped on 10 at slip by Glamorgan captain Lloyd, he cashed in on his luck, amassing 13 fours and two sixes in his match saving knock.

When a win looked most unlikely after the early fall of Chris Gibson and Harry Friend, Clarke didn’t stop playing his shots to reach his landmark.

Entering the final session on 37 from as many balls, he particularly picked apart day two’s star, Dan Douthwaite, planting him through the covers on several occasions as well as hooking a bouncer for six.

The student has taken a liking to playing Glamorgan in the past. In 2022, Clarke, representing Somerset, scored 118 against a Glamorgan 2nd XI attack including James Harris, Dan Douthwaite and Jamie McIlroy.

Picture: Carl Robertson