North Wales Cricket League Premier title battle now looks like two-horse race

With four rounds of matches to complete, it does appear that the Icon Sports North Wales Cricket League Premier Division title battle is now a two-horse race.

Top pair, St Asaph and Menai Bridge, were the only teams to benefit from the weekend rain, both winning their respective matches, with the other four scheduled games in the division either cancelled or abandoned.

Saints picked up 14 points from beating Llay, while Bridge took 13 from their home triumph over Conwy.

It leaves the leading standings looking like this:
St Asaph: Played 18 Points 183
Menai Bridge: Played 18 Points 180

Remaining games:

St Asaph
Aug 28 – Northop (home)
Aug 30 – Conwy (away)
Sep 4 – Denbigh (away)
Sep 11 – Brymbo (home)

Menai Bridge
Aug 28 – Mochdre (home)
Aug 30 – Denbigh (away)
Sep 4 – Gresford (away)
Sep 11 – Llay Welfare (home)

Both Saints and Bridge are more than capable of winning their last four games, but cricket is never that simple and there could be a stutter in one or either camp.

Predicting what might happen is very, very difficult indeed.

Just look at next Saturday. Asaph are home to Northop and Menai to Mochdre. Both Northop and Mochdre have big performers who could upset the apple cart.

It could well come down to which of the top two wins their remaining games most emphatically.

And then of course there is the weather factor. Both the leading pair were fortunate to get matches finished on Saturday. Four other games in the division were not so lucky.

PREMIER DIVISION REPORTS – SATURDAY, AUGUST 21

LLAY WELFARE (1) 101-10 ST ASAPH (14) 102-2

St Asaph’s Danny Ryan is now the North Wales League’s leading wicket taker after his 4-28 at Llay Ring on Saturday raised him to 43 for the season.

One of three Ryan brothers in the first team, Danny’s effort went a long way towards securing the Saints a crucial 14-1 points success.

After winning the toss and deciding to field, Asaph bowled out the home side for just 101 in 38.4 overs.

Danny Ryan’s 4-28 came off nine overs, while Liam Moores claimed an impressive 2-16 from nine, taking the scalps of both openers.

Saints needed just 24.3 overs to reach 102-2, Mathew Ryan (38) and skipper Will Ryan (28) putting on 77 for the first wicket.

MENAI BRIDGE (13) 76-4 CONWY (2) 75-9

In a rain-reduced affair at Tyn-y-Caeau Drive, the home side won comfortably enough.

Invited to bat, Conwy were limited to 75-9 off their 26 overs, skipper Daniel Davies best with 23.

Menai captain Gethin Roberts continued what is shaping to be his best season with the ball by collecting 3-6 off six overs, while Dion Holden picked up 2-13.

The last time Bridge openers Holden and Jack Gower had been at the wicket together they put on 267, but on Saturday they managed just four runs each as the hosts were quickly reduced to 19-2.

However, Luke Jones (21), Gethin Long (20 not out) and Robbie Jones (17) steadied the ship, enabling the Anglesey side to reach 76-4 in just 15.2 overs, Graham Meredith an impressive 3-25 for the visitors.

ABANDONED OR CANCELLED
Denbigh (3 pts) v Brymbo (3 pts)
Gresford (3) v Pwllheli (3)
Mochdre (3) v Llandudno (3)
Northop (3) v Bangor (3)