Will Ryan’s phenomenal innings guides Wales NC North to unforgettable victory over Shropshire

Wales NC North 327-8 (50) Shropshire 186-10 (37.5)
Result: Wales National Counties North won by 141 runs

One of the greatest innings ever seen by a batsman representing Wales – that was the verdict of many who witnessed captain Will Ryan’s phenomenal 150 in Monday’s home triumph at Brymbo.

St Asaph skipper Ryan not only amassed his biggest score of the season – 151 not out – in Wales NC North’s hefty victory over Shropshire, it was also the second highest knock of his entire career.

Only a memorable 173 for St Asaph at home to Connah’s Quay in 2019 bettered it.

Bank Holiday Monday’s result was by far the best achieved to date by the new Wales NC North side, formed last year but only fully competitive in 2022.

In all formats, they have won four matches, lost six and experienced two abandonments.

Monday’s game at Brymbo was something special, an afternoon where Wales NC North seemed to really announce their arrival on the representative cricket stage.

Put into bat, the hosts rattled up their highest ever 327-8 with the centrepiece that man Will Ryan, whose unbeaten 151 came off 130 balls and included 17 fours and six sixes.

Ryan received good support from Matty Humphreys (42), Harrison Jones (37) and Northop’s Richard Walker (26).

The captain put on 72 for the third wicket with Humphreys and 103 for the sixth alongside Jones, who also celebrated a promotion-winning weekend with his club Denbigh.

In reply, Shropshire were bowled out for 186, Theo Truss best with 78.

Two bowlers stood out for Wales NC North – Humphreys and Daniel Parry, skipper of Brymbo, who are having a fine season in the North Wales Premier Division.

Humphreys notched 4-28 off 9.5 overs – the best figures to date for a Wales NC North bowler – and Parry claimed 4-30 from nine.

It was a truly magnificent win with Will Ryan etching himself in Wales representative cricket folklore with that unforgettable knock.

Wales NC North results 2022

Aug 29 – 50 overs (Brymbo)

Wales NC North 327-8 (William Ryan 151 no, Matthew Humphreys 42, Harrison Jones 37, Richard Walker 26) Shropshire 186-10 (37.5 – Matthew Humphreys 4-28, Daniel Parry 4-30) – Wales NC North won by 141 runs

Aug 3 – Two T20’s (Menai Bridge)

Wales NC North 139-8 (Adam Campion 32, Gethin Roberts 32, Harrison Jones 22) Northumberland 133-8 (Harrison Jones 3-30) – Wales NC North won by 6 runs

Wales NC North 56-10 (15.2 – William Ryan 15) Northumberland 158-7 (20) – Northumberland won by 102 runs

Aug 2 – 30 overs (Bangor)

Wales NC North 191-7 (Adam Campion 48 no, Matty Humphreys 38, Sam Rimmington 25, Will Ryan 24) Northumberland 170-10 (Danny Ryan 3-23, Owen Reilly 2-26, Campion 2-32) – Wales NC North won by 21 runs

July 26 – 50 overs (Colwyn Bay)

Wales NC North 294-9 (Mathew Ryan 114, Adam Campion 48) Cheshire 298-5 (Campion 2-31) – Cheshire won by four runs

June 28 – T20 (Warrington Sports Club)

Staffordshire 122-7 (Foulkes 2-20, Grimshaw 2-35) Wales NC North 121-9 (Foulkes 33, M Ryan 23) – Staffs won by 3 wickets

Cheshire 0-0 Wales NC North 16-2 – abandoned

June 8 – T20 (Milford Hall)

Staffordshire (19.3) 125-4 (Chris Ellwood 3-18) Wales NC North 122-6 (Matty Humphreys 43 no) – Staffs won by six wickets

Staffordshire 130-5 (Gethin Roberts 3-23) Wales NC North (19.5) 131-6 (Matty Ryan 37 no) – Wales NC North won by 4 wickets

May 25 – 50 overs (St Asaph)

Wales NC North 244-9 (Duncan Midgley 47, William Ryan 37, Joe Howell 33 no, James Claybrook 32) Staffordshire (49.2) 248-6 (Matty Humphreys 2-31, Jason Foulkes 2-59) – Staffs won by 4 wickets

May 17 – 50 overs (Netherfield)

Cumbria 265-6 (Owen Reilly 3-45) Wales NC North (34) 113-5 (Matty Humphreys 35 no) – Cumbria won by 152 runs.