North Wales cricket great Holden celebrates very special event today

One of the finest cricketers North Wales has produced this millennium reaches the age of 30 today.

Born on February 21, 1991, Dion Wyn Holden has a long history of success with both Menai Bridge and Bangor cricket clubs, as well as other teams.

He was at Bangor from 2002-07, scoring his first century for the club as a 15-year-old for the second team, an unbeaten 116 versus Mynydd Isa 1sts on June 3, 2006.

A month later he chalked up his maiden ton for the firsts, hitting 104 in a North Wales League Premier Division clash with Mochdre on July 8, 2006.

Dion was a regular for Bangor’s first XI between 2005-07, posting 638 league runs which included four half-centuries and a hundred.

In 2008, Dion made the short-distance move to hometown Menai Bridge, where his skills as an opening batsman again came constantly to the fore.

A member of Menai’s North Wales League Premier Division title-winning sides of 2014 and 2015, he was first team captain between 2017-19 and led them to another top flight championship in 2018.

Over the past 13 seasons, Dion has amassed 5,654 first team runs for the Bridge, 5,437 of those in the league.

He has recorded six centuries and 36 fifties, including a career best 152 against Llanrwst in 2010.

Also a capable bowler, his right-arm medium efforts have brought him 156 first team wickets at 16.91 each, with a best return of 6-40 versus Llandudno.

Dion is far more than just a club cricketer – he has an impressive background in the representative form of the game too.

He has played for Glamorgan 2nds and Wales Minor Counties, for whom he featured in 22 matches between 2010-14.

Dion notched up 957 runs for the team, compiling four half-centuries with a top score of 85. In one excellent display against Berkshire, he made 72 and 43.

This fine top-order batsman, a proud dad of two, has also played in South Wales for Cardiff MCCU and Mumbles.

A former pupil of Ysgol David Hughes, Menai Bridge, and later Shrewsbury School, he studied PGCE Secondary Physical Education at Bangor University and Sports Coaching at University of Wales Institute, Cardiff.

Also a highly qualified coach, he has worked for Cricket Wales.

Penblwydd hapus Dion.