Wales NC North beaten in the final over of a high scoring encounter at St Asaph

Wales NC North 244-9 (50) Staffordshire CCC 248-6 (49.2)
Staffordshire won by 4 wickets

A high-scoring affair at Elwy Park Grove, St Asaph, on Wednesday, ended in a narrow win for the visitors.

Wales won the toss and elected to bat, Daniel Williams of Llay the first to depart for 14 with the total on 22.

The loss of Mochdre’s Matthew Humphreys for five brought late inclusion Nathanael Scott, in stunning early-season form for St Asaph, to the crease.

Scott, an Australian now resident in North Wales, was dismissed for eight, leaving the hosts 60-3.

Opener James Claybrook, the Brymbo batsman who has three centuries to his credit already this term, had played very well for his 32 before being caught with Wales NC North having moved on to 91.

St Asaph pair Duncan Midgley and skipper William Ryan then brought some stability to the innings in the middle order.

Midgley and Ryan put on 72 for the fifth wicket before the latter went for 37.

Top-scorer Midgley made 47 prior to being bowled, meaning the home side were now 175-6.

Jack Parry perished for a single and Owen Reilly for 17 before debutant Joe Howell made a very handy 33 not out batting at nine.

The innings closed on 244-9, James Cox with best figures for the visitors of 3-41.

Staffordshire senior development squad’s openers Tom Moulton and Matthew Morris got the away innings off to a terrific start, forming a stand of 147.

Morris was finally out stumped off Humphreys for 67 and Jason Foulkes had Moulton caught for 91.

Staffs then had a mini-collapse from 155-1 to 208-6, before Callum Lees and Jack Hammond guided them over the line in the final over.

Humphreys produced a fine spell to take 2-31 off his 10 overs, Foulkes scooped 2-59 and there was a wicket each for Chris Ellwood and Reilly.