Cricket – NWCL Div 1: Wins for Northop seconds, Gele, Bethesda, Buckley, Dolgellau & Hawarden

Abergele’s Nathan Aldridge facing against Gwersyllt Park bowler Ben Griffiths. Picture: MATT JOHNSON

NORTH WALES CRICKET LEAGUE DIVISION ONE

Conwy (1) 109-10 Northop 2nd XI (14) 111-2

Phil Davies of Conwy batting at home to Northop seconds. Matthew Mullarkey is the bowler. Picture: MATT JOHNSON

Northop seconds went joint top with a cracking win at Conwy, who were knocked off the summit as a result.

Winning the toss and choosing to bat, the hosts, who amassed 307 a week earlier, on this occasion were bowled out for just 109, Darren Williams taking 3-18, Matthew Mullarkey 3-25 and Tom Sudder 2-19 for the visitors.

In reply, Northop eased to 111-2 in 26.2 overs, James Roberts 47 and Leo Greig 34 no.

Abergele (13) 91-4 Gwersyllt Park (2) 88-10

Abergele eased to a six-wicket win over Gwersyllt Park. Skipper Lewis Tolond is the batsman in action. Picture: MATT JOHNSON

Another side whose usually strong batting let them down on Saturday was high-flying Gwersyllt Park – dismissed for just 88 after being put in at Abergele.

Karl Higgins scooped 3-2, David Moulson 3-20 and Lewis Tolond 2-22 for an impressive home attack.

Gele clinched victory by reaching 91-4 in 25 overs, Higgins 35 not out off as many balls and Nathan Aldridge 33, Ethan McCarthy collecting three wickets for the hosts.

Bethesda (13) 209-5 Menai Bridge 2nd XI (2) 206-9

Carwyn Williams made Bethesda’s highest score in their victory over Menai Bridge seconds

Carwyn Williams top-scored with 61 as Bethesda chased down a challenging target of 206 at Parc Villa.

Menai Bridge seconds called the right side of the coin and batted, posting 206-9 off 45 overs, Sam Bixby leading the charge with 82, while skipper Dion Owen made 30.

Andrew Day gathered 3-35 and Richard Lee Williams 2-41 for the hosts.

Pesda made it to 209-5 in 41, Williams sharing in an opening stand of 119 with Jez Shea (41), Gethin Hughes’ 26 no then helping guide the Ogwen Valley men home.

Liam Stone nabbed 2-29 for the island team.

Buckley (12) 165-10 Marchwiel & Wrexham (3) 138-10

A crucial 62 from Alex Storey helped Buckley to an inspiring home triumph.

The hosts elected to bat and were all out for 165, Storey’s half-ton backed by Sam Evans (26), with Gareth Evans bagging 3-19 and Josh Williams 2-24 for Marchwiel and Wrexham.

Adam Shaw (3-19) and Matthew Blunden (3-29) then did most to ensure the away side were all back in the hutch for 138.

Dolgellau (14) 53-2 Llay Welfare (1) 51-10

In a game which lasted just 32 overs in total, Dolgellau breezed to an eight-wicket victory.

Llay’s decision to bat on winning the toss backfired spectacularly as they were skittled out for just 51 in 21.2, Jack Williamson 3-2, Sam Williams 2-3, Joe Williamson 2-14 and Morgan Yorke 2-31.

Dol cruised to 53-2 in 10.4, Jack Williamson 31 no.

Hawarden Park (11) 211-5 Connah’s Quay (4) 195-7

Campbell Marr struck 72 not out for Hawarden Park. Picture: GARETH PRESTIDGE

Skipper Campbell Marr’s 72 not out was a key factor in Hawarden Park’s success in a good contest against the Quay.

Park set a good target of 211-5 off 45, wicket-keeper Romano Franco adding 51 and Phil Bradfield 36 to Marr’s cornerstone innings.

Despite 73 from Springbok all-rounder James Du Toit and Callum Miller’s 47, as well as 34 down the order from Darren Leach, the visitors finished 16 short of their opponents’ total on 195-7.

Tom Norris snared 2-30 and Adam De Rycke 2-34 for the winning hosts.