Cricket

Menai Bridge dominate in battle of North Wales League Premier Division top two

Bangor’s Owen Reilly batting against Mochdre at Ty Newydd. Picture: ANDRE PEPPER ap_photoserv @APhotoserv/@eventphotowales

ICON SPORTS NORTH WALES CRICKET LEAGUE – SATURDAY, JULY 31

PREMIER DIVISION

ST ASAPH (0) 87-10 MENAI BRIDGE (15) 228-10

Menai Bridge skipper Gethin Roberts was the hero of the day after scoring 87 and taking 5-18 as his team moved to within four points of leaders St Asaph with seven rounds of matches apiece still to play.

A close North Wales League Premier Division contest was anticipated at Elwy Park, but the visitors dished out a maximum points thrashing, largely down to the all-round skills of Roberts.

This much-awaited clash of the top two saw Saints win the toss and put their Anglesey opponents into bat.

It looked a great decision when early breakthroughs from Liam Moores and Jason Foulkes reduced the islanders to 13-3.

However, Robbie Jones (31) and Gethin Roberts steadied the ship with a fourth-wicket stand of 77.

Skipper Roberts was joined by Gethin Long and they added another 111.

Long posted 47, while Roberts produced the star knock of 87.

There was then a flood of wickets and Bridge were all out for 228.

Moores took 3-47, Danny Ryan 3-54 and Foulkes an outstanding 2-27 off 11 for the hosts.

Asaph are a highly capable batting side, but on this day the away total proved more than enough to deliver victory.

Gethin Roberts made it a true captain’s performance by taking a dazzling 5-18 off 10 as the hosts were sent packing for just 87 – as many runs as Roberts scored on his own.

Ashley Wood claimed 3-25 and Gerallt Roberts 2-14, the Anglesey men celebrating a 15-0 points verdict.

BANGOR (13) 143-5 MOCHDRE (2) 142-10

Nadeem Rehman scooped a magnificent 6-33 as Bangor’s decision to insert Mochdre at Ty Newydd proved a good one.

The visitors started well, Alex Davies (66) and Shaun Kitchen (21) putting on 57 for the first wicket, but no other batsmen got going and the visitors were dismissed for a modest 142 in 43.2 overs.

Rehman was well supported by Gareth Edwards (2-22) and Jonny Wells (2-38).

In reply, Bangor progressed to 61-0, David Winter with 43 and Owen Reilly 21, before a few wickets fell, but nothing to be too alarmed about as the home total reached 143-5 off 34.2 overs, Tomos Davies 28 not out.

Owen Davies took 2-24 for Mochdre, who lost out 12-3 in the points stakes.

BRYMBO (0) 125-10 GRESFORD (15) 231-7

Opener Joe Benson scored 66 for a Gresford outfit which must have been delighted to collect all 15 points at Brymbo.

The visitors were invited to bat and amassed 231-7 off their 50 overs, Benson top-scoring, while Gareth Bell added 35 and Jack Bunkell 25 not out.

Gareth Boys pocketed 3-42 for the Steelmen.

Simon Perry then scooped 4-27 and Ryan Williams 2-28 as the hosts were rolled over for just 125.

DENBIGH (2) 69-10 LLAY WELFARE (13) 132-7

Another bad day for Denbigh who were blitzed out for a paltry 69 at Ystrad Road.

In a rain-reduced encounter, visitors Llay made 132-7 off 30 overs, John Lloyd 30 and David Phennah 29, Joe Lewis 3-20 for the home side.

Only the extras column (22) reached double figures for Denbigh, Tom Crewe grabbing 4-13 for the away side, Jack Billington 2-16 and Nathan Humphreys 2-22.