North Wales Divisions 2, 3 and 4 – Bethesda and Menai Bridge seconds prepare for big battle

NORTH WALES CRICKET LEAGUE REPORTS – AUGUST 20

DIVISION TWO

Top two Bethesda and Menai Bridge seconds meet this Saturday in a match which could have a big bearing on where the North Wales Cricket League Division Two title finishes up.

Pesda are 25 points clear at the summit with four to play, but a big win for the in-form Bridge at Parc Villa this weekend could breathe new life into the battle to become champions.

Menai have won 12 matches on the bounce, but were well beaten at home by Bethesda back in April.

Pesda, meanwhile, have won 17 of their 18 games so far, their only loss coming against Carmel on August 13.

Both Bethesda and Menai Bridge seconds won handily last weekend.

Pesda scored 220-7 after being put in a Hawarden Park seconds, Nicholas Parry scoring 77, Carwyn L Williams 34 and Ioan Roberts 32 for the visitors, Ela Closs-Sharp 3-45 for the hosts, who were then limited to 148-8, Aled Wilkinson 46 and Anthony Salisbury 43.

Carwyn L Williams grabbed 4-21 for the Ogwen Valley visitors. Points: 13-2 Bethesda.

Menai Bridge seconds smashed 275-5 at home to Gresford seconds.
Matt Bixby hit 111, Ben Evans 60 and Dion Owen 42 not out for the hosts, Wes Evans 3-50 for the away side, who were sent packing for 119, skipper Danny Griffin 43, Ian Granger 5-21 and Sam Bixby 2-19 for the islanders. Points: 15-0.

Club Criced Caernarfon were restricted to 104-8 at Carmel, Huw Erddyn Davies 33, Lee Rowles 2-18 for the home team, who breezed to 106-1 in reply, Danny Owens 62. Points: Carmel 15-0.

Andrew Oates dominated with 97 not out off 61 balls as Northop seconds made 228-7 at home to Mold seconds, who then collapsed to 91 all out, Oates doubling up with 2-11. Points: 15-0 Northop seconds.

Suresh Lakmal Koswaththage starred with 97 as Bersham posted 189-8 at Ruthin, Joshua Duckworth 2-14 from nine.
Ruthin’s response finished just short on 180-5, Murray Whitehead 71 no, Duckworth 41, Steffan Lloyd 4-29 for the visitors. Points: 11-4 Bersham.

St Asaph seconds piled up a winning 224-8 against Mochdre seconds at Elwy Park.
On a day of near misses in the century-seeking department, Dominic Haynes finished 96 not out, captain Ben Murphy making 46.

Mochdre were all back in the pavilion for 108, Mohammed Imran 34, David North 4-34 and Iwan Roberts 3-20 for Saints.

DIVISION THREE

Leaders Brymbo seconds coasted to a 10-wicket win at Conwy seconds in a match that was completed in less than 40 overs.

Conwy were bowled out for 51, Ross Roberts 2-6 off seven, and the Steelmen eased to 53-0, skipper George Bourne 33 not out.

Title-chasers Pontblyddyn seconds triumphed by nine wickets at eight-man Pwllheli seconds.

Opener Harri Adams made a defiant 46 as Pwll slumped to 67 all out, Ioan Jones 3-9 and John Coppack 2-7, before Pont reached 68-1 in 12 overs, Nick Thomas 32 no.

Abergele seconds were all out for 82 at home to Gwersyllt Park seconds, Josh Marshall 3-22, and the visitors then breezed to 83-1 for a 15-0 verdict.

Alex Storey made 58 and Joshua Murray 50 not out – his maiden half-century for the team – as Buckley seconds amassed 213-7 at home to Denbigh seconds, Ollie Fellows adding 32, William Schrimshaw 3-33 for the visitors.

Denbigh were dismissed for 175, Fellows 3-13 and Mathew Edge 3-20 for Bucks, who won 12-3 on points.

Prasad Jadhav scooped 4-24 and Venkat Sundaram 3-24 as Mynydd Isa and Maeshafn blitzed Connah’s Quay seconds out for 101, Aaron Pearson a dogged 48.

In reply, Mynydd got to 103-3 for a 14-1 success, Matt Lloyd 38 no.

Ruthin seconds (-15) conceded their match at Bethesda seconds (+14).

DIVISION FOUR

Promoted Corwen made a winning 199 all out at Bersham seconds, Duncan Roberts 47, Dafydd Williams taking 4-45 and Iwan Lloyd 3-36 for the hosts.

Bersham were sent packing for 61, Nathan Aldridge 4-13, Simon Harrison 2-8 and Harry Pooler 2-18.

Skipper Matthew Lambe finished 98 not out in Llandudno seconds’ home total of 196 all out against Llanrwst seconds, Dewi Parry picking up 4-33 for the visitors, who were dismissed for 84, Laura Nicholls and Leon Doran 24 apiece, Casey Bedford 3-10 and Tom Bleasdale 3-35 for the winning team.

Mike Lee made 62 and Jeremy Wilks 36 in Marchwiel and Wrexham seconds’ home effort of 139 against Dolgellau seconds, Lowri Parry bagging 3-24, Llio Parry 3-27 and Daniel Conde 2-6 for the visitors.

Dolgellau were 70 all out in response, Lee 4-17 and Wilks 3-9 for the hosts, who claimed the points 13-2.