St Asaph’s national knockout run ends in defeat at Nantwich despite six-wickets from Foulkes

ECB National Club Championship Group 7 last 32

Nantwich 207-10 (35.5) St Asaph 143-10 (35.4)

St Asaph’s outstanding run in the National Club Championship ended at Whitehouse Lane today.

Despite a magnificent 6-27 from Jason Foulkes in bowling out Nantwich for 207, the North Wales League Premier Division champions did not bat well enough to cause an upset.

Having already seen off Shrewsbury and Longton in this year’s tournament, Saints were aiming for a last 16 berth at the expense of Cheshire County Cricket League opponents.

Nantwich were indebted to Marcus Stables (58), Rajiv Kumar (49) and Oliver Griffiths (32) for getting past the 200 mark.

Wales international Foulkes was head and shoulders above the rest in the away bowling, reducing the hosts to 18-3 at one point with a trio of wickets, all caught behind by Nathanael Scott.

A crucial stand of 111 for the fourth wicket between Stables and Kumar got Nantwich back on their feet.

Foulkes’ 6-27 came off eight overs, the only other bowler to take more than one wicket being Jack Griffiths (2-65).

In their reply, no-one was able to produce that big innings which could have made all the difference for the North Wales side.

Scott struck 33 and Foulkes 30, but the Saints response finished on 143 all out.

Griffiths took 3-14 and Oliver Wardley 3-50 for the Cheshire winners.

Defeat in the end for St Asaph, but they did tremendously well to get this far in this national competition.