North Wales Cricket Premier – Saints win thriller as Gilly, Claybrook and Harrison Jones hit tons
NORTH WALES CRICKET LEAGUE
PREMIER DIVISION
SUNDAY, MAY 28
St Asaph (11) 234-7 Denbigh (4) 229-10
Despite an heroic 120 from Denbigh captain Harrison Jones, St Asaph triumphed by just five runs in an epic Sunday clash at Elwy Park Grove.
The win nudged Saints up to third in the Premier Division, just a point behind second-place Menai Bridge and two in arrears of leaders Brymbo.
Asaph won the toss and elected to bat, amassing 234-7 off 50 overs, skipper William Ryan 48, Dan Evans 45, Nathanael Scott 36 and Ajaypal Singh 32.
Harrison Jones was Denbigh’s most successful bowler with 3-59.
In reply, the visitors slumped to 10-2 before a fantastic stand of 194 between Jones (120) and Archie Sussex (68) put the Vale of Clwyd side into a winning position at 204-2.
However, when Jones departed, ending a fantastic knock comprising 13 fours and two sixes, the away batting collapsed.
Denbigh finished up 229 all out, losing their last eight wickets for just 25 runs.
Dan Evans returned a superb 4-25 off eight, while Danny Ryan, who removed the top two scorers, claimed 3-45.
What a tremendous advert for the North Wales Cricket League.
SATURDAY, MAY 27
Brymbo (12) 282-5 Gresford (3) 238-8
James Claybrook stormed into form with a magnificent 129 not out as table-toppers Brymbo maintained the winning habit at Gresford’s expense on Saturday.
The Steelmen rattled up 282-5 off 50 overs after calling the coin correctly and deciding batting was for them.
Claybrook’s unbeaten ton came off 146 balls and included 10 fours and four sixes.
The former skipper had great support from William Norman (50) and Jason Underwood (33), while Chris Ellwood collected 2-32 for the Colliers.
Gresford’s spirited reply ended on 238-8, Ellwood 58, skipper Matthew Thompson 47, Daniel Williams 37 and Joshua Knowles 33 not out.
Joseph Norman scooped 3-45 and Mohamed Nilam Jayman 2-28 for the hosts, who took the points 12-3.
Denbigh (11) 251-10 Pontblyddyn (4) 239-10
Australian Kieran Gilly cracked a fabulous 141 not out for a Denbigh outfit which produced a weekend of batting excellence for which they probably deserved more than a total of 15 points.
Gilly totally dominated as the home side, who chose to bat, piled up 251 all out, skipper Harrison Jones next highest with 38.
Best of the Pont bowling came via Renacko Belgrave (3-51) and Jonathan Byrd (2-31).
The visitors had a great go in response but ended up all out for 239, just 13 runs short of what would have been a remarkable victory.
Openers Rocco Franco (71) and Ben Mason (34) shone brightest, while for Denbigh it was 3-42 from Joe Lewis, Sam Lewis 2-32 and Stuart Griffiths 2-35.
Halkyn (3) 157-8 Northop (12) 201-5
Ben Beaver’s commanding 86 not out ensured Northop set a winning score at Pant Newydd.
The visitors opted for first knock and posted 201-5 off 50, Beaver’s unbeaten effort the main feature of an innings which also included 39 from Richard Walker and Matthew Williams’ 38.
Muhummad Bajwa gathered 2-34 for the hosts, who were then restricted to 157-8.
Skipper Ben Roberts made 34 and Jamie Griffiths 30, Ashraf Nawab an excellent 3-20 from 10 for the winners.
Llandudno (3) 196-10 Menai Bridge (12) 197-7
Champions Menai Bridge were grateful for a sixth-wicket stand of 83 between Will Blair (59 no) and Robbie Jones (36) for playing a key role in their success at The Oval.
Llandudno were dismissed for 196 in 48.4, Jamie Grimshaw (69) and Jack Rimmington (58) the most prominent in the batting, Gethin Roberts 3-32, Dion Holden 3-34 and Calum Andrews 2-31 the chief destroyers for the islanders.
In reply, Menai dipped to 83-5 before Blair and Jones went a long way towards saving the day.
Jack Gower also hit an important 39, while for the hosts, Jack Rimmington and Oliver Hughes both snared 2-32 off 10.
Mochdre (3) 169-10 Bangor (12) 212-7
The all-round heroics of Franco Kasner and Ryan Symonds-Mayes were vital factors in a welcome win for Bangor.
The Citizens made 212-7 off 50 overs, Kasner leading the way with 69, opener Symonds-Mayes adding 48, Joe Chaplin 2-34 for Mochdre.
Symonds-Mayes then picked up 3-50 and Jonny Wells an accurate 2-24 from eight as Mochdre were sent packing for 169.
Mold (1) 168-10 St Asaph (14) 172-2
Mathew Ryan (79 not out) and Dan Evans (67) shared in an opening stand of 138 to ensure Saints won comfortably at Chester Road.
Deciding to bat, Mold were all out for 168, Richard Deniz hitting 51 and Ewan Hill 38, while for the visitors, Robbie Prior claimed 3-18, Jack Griffiths 3-23 and Mathew Ryan 2-21.
Asaph raced to 172-2 off just 27.2 for a 14-1 success.
Premier Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Batting ⭐️
Kieran Gilly (Denbigh) 141 not out
James Claybrook (Brymbo) 129 not out
Harrison Jones (Denbigh) 120
Ben Beaver (Northop) 86 not out
Bowling ⭐️
Dan Evans (St Asaph) 4-25
Robbie Prior (St Asaph) 3-18
Ashraf Nawab (Northop) 3-20
Jack Griffiths (St Asaph) 3-23