About Mountain Ash Cricket Club
Club History
The exact date of formation of Mountain Ash Cricket Club is not definitively known, as early records are sparse and informal. However, historical references indicate that cricket has deep roots in the town. According to the book History of Mountain Ash Remembered by William Bevan, a cricket club alongside a ‘Mountain Ash Veterans’ group was formed in the 1860s. By 1898, the Mountain Ash Cricket and Tennis Clubs were active, playing at a ground known as Dyffryn Fields (also called Dyffryn Grove), situated near Dyffryn House. This ground was often lent generously by Lord & Lady Aberdare, highlighting the aristocratic patronage common in early Welsh cricket amid the industrial valleys.
Further evidence places the club in competitive play as early as 1897, when Mountain Ash participated in the newly formed Glamorgan Cricket League, facing fixtures against strong local sides including Treherbert, Treorchy, Merthyr Tydfil, Ferndale, and Pontypridd. This era reflects the rapid growth of organized cricket in the South Wales coalfield communities, where the sport provided recreation and community identity during the industrial boom.
The modern incarnation of the club, as it is recognized today, dates back to 1951, when a newly laid field—levelled and planted by the renowned firm En tout cas—was opened at what was formerly known as Hill’s Field, adjacent to Dyffryn House. This development marked a significant upgrade in facilities.
The club’s current home ground, Caedrawnant (Caedrawnant Playing Fields), was transformed from an old rubbish tip into a superb multi-sport facility by the Mountain Ash Urban District Council. Opened in 1948 (with some references citing 1953 for full use or enhancements), it incorporated football and rugby fields, tennis and basketball courts, and a pavilion featuring four dressing rooms, showering facilities, a well-equipped kitchen, and catering areas.
The site later benefited from the closure of the Deep Dyffryn Colliery—one of the town’s major employers amid the decline of the South Wales coalfield. The derelict pit land was repurposed to enhance sporting amenities, including an international-standard indoor bowls centre, floodlit all-weather and grass football pitches, and a new home for the town’s renowned rugby team, the Old Firm (Mountain Ash RFC).
Set in a stunning location, Caedrawnant offers spectacular panoramic views over the town and the steep-sloped countryside of the Cynon Valley.
In 1953, the club had the honour of hosting the Pakistan Eaglets—a touring developmental side comprising some of Pakistan’s best young talents, many of whom later represented their country at Test level. This fixture underscored Mountain Ash’s growing reputation beyond local leagues.
Glamorgan County Cricket Club have also been frequent visitors, playing exhibition or benefit matches at Caedrawnant on several occasions as part of players’ benefit seasons.
A key milestone came in 1963, when the club merged with local side Penrhiwceiber, who also used Caedrawnant as their home venue. This influx of players enabled Mountain Ash to field a Second XI, which continues to this day—over 60 years later. Many players from the Penrhiwceiber area have represented the club since then and still regard it as their ‘home club’, a tradition that endures.
The 1970s marked one of the most successful periods in the club’s history. Mountain Ash were invited to join the newly formed Glamorgan Alliance Cricket League, competing alongside established clubs such as Abercynon, Radyr, Miskin Manor, Dowlais, Cefn Fforest, Dinas Powis, Old Cantonians, Llantwit Fardre, Cwmbran, and Cardiff Harlequins. The team of that era—arguably the strongest ever fielded by the club—epitomized on-field talent and off-field spirit, winning the league on multiple occasions. Numerous tours were undertaken to the South West, South Coast, and Midlands of England, with reciprocal visits from English teams to Caedrawnant.
The Glamorgan Alliance was later absorbed into the Welsh Club Cricket Conference (WCCC), where the club continued to compete at a high level for many years.
More recent decades brought challenges. The club slipped into lower divisions (including the Fourth Division at one point), facing a very real threat of folding due to waning interest and serious financial difficulties. However, a small but determined group of volunteers, supported by generous Vice Presidents who continue to back the club, pulled it back from the brink and placed it on a more stable footing.
In 2010, the club embarked on its first overseas tour to the cricketing hub of Albir, Spain, with a party of over 50 members. They played a limited-overs match in sweltering conditions against Sporting Alfas—a side featuring ex-pats and former professionals—but were defeated after a battling performance.
In 2013, the 1st XI achieved promotion from Division 6 of the WCCC league, finishing 3rd behind local rivals Aberdare and Newport (the winners).
The club has since transitioned into the South East Wales Cricket League (SEWCL) following league restructurings. It now fields a First XI, Second XI, occasional Sunday XI, and Midweek XI (including T20 formats). An exciting development has been the reformation of the Junior Section, which thrived in the 1990s; initial teams at Under-13 and Under-11 levels aim to secure the long-term future of this proud Valleys club, which has enjoyed a colourful—sometimes turbulent—existence spanning nearly 150 years.
Mountain Ash Cricket Club remains a testament to grassroots resilience in Welsh cricket, blending rich heritage with ongoing community commitment.
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Home Ground & Facilities
MACC’s home ground is Caedrawnant (also known as Caedrawnant Playing Fields), where the club has played since its opening in 1948 (though some older records mention 1953; 1948 is the confirmed date from official sources). Ingeniously built on the site of a former rubbish tip, the ground offers stunning panoramic views over the town of Mountain Ash and the surrounding countryside of the Cynon Valley. This multi-sport complex also accommodates tennis, football, and rugby, promoting shared community use.
Facilities at Caedrawnant include:
- A pavilion housing four dressing rooms, showering facilities, a well-equipped kitchen, and a dining area.
- Outdoor cricket nets (recently expanded with two new artificial nets and a full net complex completed around 2024-2025 on a former tennis court).
- Score box.
- 1 artificial match play wicket.
- A natural square (Square 1-1).
- Changing facilities on-site.
- Floodlights for evening events and tournaments.
- Large free car park.
Local Amenities & Transport Links
- 40 min Drive from Cardiff
- Train 40 mins from Cardiff
- Train 20 mins from Pontypridd/Treforrest
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Community & Social Ties
MACC maintains a harmonious, beneficial relationship with Mountain Ash Rugby Football Club (MARFC), based at Oxford Street in the town center (formerly The Glancynon Inn, redeveloped since 1979). MARFC offers two downstairs bars, a large split-level concert hall/lounge, a sponsors’ lounge, Sky TV on multiple screens, and is an ideal venue for events like weddings or parties (contact: 01443 472968). This partnership enhances social events and community engagement.
The club promotes health and wellbeing through cricket, with strong volunteer support from leaders like Chairman Wayne Pearson, Secretary Alun Roberts, and Safeguarding Officer Lynsey Roberts. Recent X posts highlight recruitment drives, volunteer recognitions, and festive messages, underscoring MACC’s role as a family-oriented club.
For the latest news, fixtures, or involvement: Visit mountainash.play-cricket.com or mountainashcricketwales.club. Follow on Facebook (Mountain Ash Cricket Club), Instagram (@mountainashcricket), X (@mountainashcc). Contact via social media or the club’s Get In Touch page—we’re friendly, sociable, and ready to welcome you!
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Events & Fundraising
MACC is active in hosting tournaments, socials, and fundraisers to support operations and community causes. Past events include:
Inaugural 6-a-Side Tournament: A sizzling day of cricket under Caedrawnant’s floodlights, culminating in a final won by “The Free Sir Vivian Richards Invitational Six,” led by Wayne Pearson. The event featured fun, drinks, and community vibes.
Six-a-Side Tournament Details: 6 teams, £20 entry, 5 overs per innings (6 balls per over), group stages with top teams advancing to semis and finals. Winners receive a trophy and beer.
Fundraising Activities: Duck races, horse racing nights, live bands, raffles, Q&A sessions with ex-players, and club nights like T20 outings to Glamorgan, pre-season paintballing, or go-karting. Funds support junior systems, seasonal costs, equipment, and trips (e.g., Benidorm outings).
Find Us
The ground serves as a venue for matches, training, and social gatherings, with recent developments enhancing practice capabilities. Indoor nets are also available for winter training sessions.
Directions to Caedrawnant:
From the A470, follow signs for Merthyr Tydfil. At the Abercynon roundabout, take the 1st exit onto the A4059 and stay on it for about 4 miles. Upon arriving in Mountain Ash and passing the town hall, take the next right onto Dyffryn Road and follow signs for Mountain Ash Golf Club. After passing the old hospital, continue for 100 yards and take the left exit—the ground will be on your left.
Home Ground Address:
Caedrawnant, Mill Road, Mountain Ash Rhondda Cynon Taf CF45 4DA Wales
Club Address:
16A Oxford St, Mountain Ash CF45 3PL