North Wales League Premier – leaders Northop toppled by Mold, Bridge openers put on 264

PREMIER DIVISION TABLE UP TO AND INCLUDING JULY 29, 2023

NORTH WALES CRICKET LEAGUE REPORTS – JULY 29

PREMIER DIVISION

Northop (2) 174-10 Mold (13) 175-5

Mold pulled off one of the surprises of the season in the Premier as they came away from leaders Northop with a splendid five-wicket victory.

The table-toppers won the toss and elected to bat, but were soon in major trouble at 47-5.

Thomas Hughes’ knock of 46 did help recover the damage, but still a final total of 174 all out was far from convincing.

John Crane picked up 3-18 off 10 overs for the visitors, with John Williams claiming 2-23 and Munowar Samsodien 2-28.

In reply, Mold slipped to 71-4 (John Williams 30) but a stand of 84 for the fifth wicket between Isaac Allen (51 not out) and skipper George Deniz (32) took the visitors close to their target.

The visitors finished on 175-5 off 48 overs for a priceless 13-2 triumph in their battle with relegation.

Bart Ryan-Beswick collected 2-35 for the hosts.

St Asaph (15) 263-4 Pontblyddyn (0) 64-10

Saints closed the gap on leaders Northop to 10 points with a massive 199-run win over basement side Pontblyddyn.

After the hosts called the coin correctly and chose to bat, opener Duncan Midgley and Mathew Ryan put on a huge 182.

Midgley struck 113 and Ryan 78 as Asaph set a mammoth 263-4 off 50 overs.

Pont were then rolled over for a paltry 64, Ajaypal Singh 3-12, Ryan Dunning 3-15 and Dan Evans 2-15.

Bangor (1) 119-10 Denbigh (14) 121-3

Hosts Bangor were beaten for the first time in the Premier since May 20 as Denbigh celebrated a seven-wicket triumph at Ty Newydd.

The Citizens had won six in a row before three successive abandonments checked their stride.

That inactivity may well have been a factor towards a less than convincing performance on Saturday.

Put into bat, Bangor were all out for just 119 and it would have been worse but for a last-wicket stand of 39 between Mehur Ahir (20) and Idrees Ijax (18 no). Franco Kasner top-scored with 23.

Denbigh bowled well, Ifan Jones best with 3-12, Kieran Gilly 3-25 and skipper Harrison Jones 2-40.

The visitors eased to 121-3 in 30 overs, captain Jones (47) and fellow opener Gerallt Lyall (44) forming a stand of 89. Kasner 2-32 for the hosts.

Gresford (14) 71-2 Halkyn (1) 70-10

Tom Crewe notched 4-7 off six overs, while Daniel Williams scooped 2-12 and Chris Ellwood 2-18 as Gresford sent Halkyn packing for just 70 at Clappers Lane.

The hosts, who won the toss and fielded, then coasted to 71-2 in response, Williams 36 not out, Andrew Watkin 2-13 for the outplayed visitors.

Llandudno (2) 164-10 Brymbo (13) 223-9

Christopher Taylor struck a dominant 82 as Brymbo rattled up a match-winning total at The Oval.

Invited to bat, the Steelmen posted 223-9 off 50 overs, James Claybrook adding 43 and Joe Norman 30 not out, Jamie Grimshaw collecting 4-32 for the hosts.

Norman completed a fine match with 4-24 off 10 as Brymbo dismissed Tudno for 164.

Opener Sam Rimmington made 43, Grimshaw 28 and Jack Rimmington 27 for the Seasiders, Taylor also picking up 2-23 and Mohamed Nilam Jayman 2-31 for the winners.

Menai Bridge (15) 331-1 Mochdre (0) 176-10

The scoreboard must have struggled to keep up as Menai Bridge compiled a huge 331-1 at Tyn-y-Caeau, Jack Gower hitting 160 and Dion Holden 131 not out in an opening partnership of 264.

Mochdre’s eight-man attack took some fearful hammer and they were unable to match the hosts in the batting either as they finished all out for 176.

Matty Humphreys struck 52 and Stewart Williams 42 not out, Iwan Moore 3-29, Will Blair 3-34, Gethin Roberts 2-23 and Gerallt Roberts 2-27 for the Anglesey outfit.