MACC HISTORY
The exact date of the formation of Mountain Ash Cricket Club is not known… However, a reference from the book ‘History of Mountain Ash Remembered’ by William Bevan states,” a cricket club and’ Mountain Ash Veterans’ was formed in the 1860’s and the Mountain Ash Cricket and Tennis Clubs existed in 1898 playing at a ground called Dyffryn Fields which was also known as Dyffryn Grove.
The ground was often lent by Lord & Lady Aberdare which was situated near Dyffryrn House and further records show that as early as 1897, Mountain Ash took part in the newly formed Glamorgan Cricket League with fixtures played against Treherbert, Treorchy, Merthyr Tydfil, Ferndale and Pontypridd.
The club as we know it today dates back to 1951 when a newly laid field, levelled and planted by the famous firm En tout cas was opened at what used to be known as Hill’s Field adjacent to Dyffryn House.
The Caedrawnant was transformed from an old rubbish tip into a superb sporting facility by the old Mountain Ash Urban District Council which also incorporated both football and rugby fields, tennis and basketball courts, a pavillion with four dressing rooms and catering facilities.With the demise of the South Wales coalfield, one of the towns main employers, The Deep Dyffryn Colliery was closed down and the site of the old pit was utilized to further enhance the sporting facilities in the town with an international standard indoor bowls centre, floodlit all weather and grass football pitches and a new home for the towns famous rugby team ‘The Old Firm’ all constructed on the derelict land of the once vibrant colliery which is set in a stunning location with spectacular views of the town and the surrounding countryside of the steep sloped Cynon Valley.
In 1953 the club had the honour of hosting the Pakistan Eaglets on the Caedrawnant, the tourist made up of some of the best young players in their country, many of whom went on to represent Pakistan in the Test arena.
Glamorgan County Cricket Club have also been fairly frequent opponents having played up in Mountain Ash on several occasions as part of players benefit seasons.
In 1963, the club merged with local side Penrhiwceiber who also used the Caedrawnant as their home venue, this influx of players meant that Mountain Ash were able to field a Second X1 which is still running 46 years later.Many players from the Penrhiwceiber area have represented the club and still do so to this day, regarding it as their ‘ home club’ and long may it continue.
In the 1970’s Mountain Ash were invited to participate in the newly formed Glamorgan Alliance Cricket League alongside other well established clubs Abercynon, Radyr, Miskin Manor, Dowlais, Cefn Fforest, Dinas Powys, Old Cantonians, Llantwit Fardre, Cwmbran and Cardiff Harlequins.This proved to be one of the most successful periods in the clubs history, with the Mountain Ash side of that era arguably one of the best ever fielded.
Mountain Ash Cricket Club now run a First & Second X1, a Sunday X1 and a Midweek X1.
An exciting and encouraging development is the reformation of the club’s Junior Section which served them so well in the 1990’s. Initially, two teams at Under 13 and Under 11 level will take to the field.
This will hopefully secure the future of a proud Valley’s club that has enjoyed a colorful and sometimes turbulent existence for almost 150 years. The Club also embarked on their first overseas tour by visiting the cricketing hotbed of Albir, Spain in September 2010.
With a tour party of over 50, the club played one limited over game in sweltering conditions against top Spanish team Sporting Alfas, a team made up of ex-pats and with former professional players in their ranks, Mountain Ash were defeated after a battling performance.
In 2013 the 1st team managed to gain promotion from division 6 of the WCCC league after finishing 3rd behind local rivals Aberdare and Newport who won the league.
The following year was even more successful as the 1st team managed to go on to win division 5 with several victories and losing very few games, the same three clubs were promoted again.
2015 seen Mountain Ash reach new heights as the 1st team went on to become champions of division 4, losing only 1 game vs Porth away all year, with the same solid backbone of players holding the club together, some new players also joined in the success and proved to be worth their while as the club tore through the divison in style getting promotion along with Pontllanfraith.