St Asaph pull off a second sensational victory in the ECB National Club Championship

ECB National Club Championship – Group 7 Round Two – May 29

Longton 244-10 (39.3) St Asaph 267-6 (40)

Another stunning victory achieved today in the National Club Championship has put St Asaph on cloud nine.

A visit to North Staffs and South Cheshire League giants Longton was expected to be a bridge too far for the North Wales League champions.

The omens were especially not great after Saints lost their 100% domestic record on Saturday with a heavy defeat at arch rivals Menai Bridge.

Yet Will Ryan’s side made the long journey to Stoke-on-Trent full of belief that they could cause another big upset similar to their heroics of the last round, where they saw off Shrewsbury at Elwy Park Grove.

Saints were put into bat and piled up 267-6 off their 40 overs.

After losing Mathew Ryan early, Dan Evans (57) and the prolific Nathanael Scott (62) put on 129 for the second wicket.

Duncan Midgley then came in and produced an astonishing knock of 55 off just 37 balls, hitting five huge sixes.

An unbeaten 27 from Jurie Morval helped ensure the North Wales flag flyers set that formidable total, Tom Hope snapping up 3-39 for the hosts.

In reply Tom Steele (42) and Shaun Rashid (22) put on 57 for the first wicket, but the visitors chipped away at the Longton batting line-up and reduced them to 138-5.

Alex Coates (50) and captain Ed Jones (26) gave the home team a scent of victory, but medium pacer Danny Ryan removed both, and at 205-7, the odds edged towards the Welshmen.

The Longton tail had a good go, but their innings closed on 244 all out, meaning Asaph had achieved a famous 23-run victory – one of the best in the club’s history.

Danny Ryan scooped an outstanding 4-28 from eight, Dan Evans pocketed 3-45 and Mathew Ryan 2-50.

A magnificent win for the Saints who are now one of just three teams remaining in Group 7 alongside Barnt Green and Nantwich.