St Asaph prepare for major test at Nantwich in ECB National Club Championship

St Asaph’s cricketers will proudly fly the flag for North Wales in the final 32 of a prestigious national competition this weekend.

On Sunday, the North Wales League Premier Division champions travel to Nantwich for an ECB National Club Championship Group 7 clash with a last-16 place at stake.

Saints have already got past two major hurdles in defeating Shrewsbury of the Birmingham and District League and Longton of the North Staffs and Cheshire League in this year’s competition.

On May 15, Shrewsbury visited Elwy Park Grove for what turned out to be an absolute thriller.

Asaph won by just two runs, having amassed 283-4 off their 40 overs, Duncan Midgley making 123 and skipper Will Ryan 108, and then limiting the visitors to 281-9, Danny Ryan taking 3-45.

Next was a really tough test at Longton, but again Saints gave themselves a big chance with a large total of 267-6, Nathanael Scott hitting 65, Midgley 55 and Dan Evans posting 54.

The Welsh travellers then bowled out Longton for 244, Danny Ryan grabbing 4-28 and Dan Evans 3-45.

Next up are Nantwich of the Cheshire County Cricket League, who currently lie third in the Premier Division.

Their skipper is named Ray Doyle, so Saints can expect a ‘Professionals’ type performance from the Cheshire side.

St Asaph are presently second in the NWCL Premier, having lost just once in eight matches in their first defence of the title.

The club is running a coach to Nantwich on Sunday, leaving the ground at 10 am. Adults £10, children £5.

Anyone interested in attending, message the club on its Twitter account @StAsaphCC