North Wales Cricket League Premier – thrilling title race climax in store as Northop, St Asaph and Menai Bridge all win heavily
With three rounds of matches remaining it looks to be between Northop and St Asaph for the 2023 North Wales Cricket League Premier Division title.
After Saturday’s action, Northop are on 198 points from 19 fixtures and Saints have 188 from the same amount of games.
Still just about in the race are third-place Menai Bridge (19-169) and Brymbo (19-162).
Remaining matches for the top two are:
NORTHOP
Sep 2: Menai Bridge (away)
Sep 9: Brymbo (home)
Sep 16: Bangor (away)
ST ASAPH
Sep 2: Llandudno (away)
Sep 9: Gresford (home)
Sep 16: Menai Bridge (away)
Northop are pursuing a first-ever Premier title, while St Asaph are aiming to repeat their sole success of 2021.
Although 10 points behind the leaders, Saints do appear to have the slightly more favourable run-in.
Menai Bridge still have to take on both of the leading pair at home, so they could have a big say in where the title ends up.
REPORTS – PREMIER DIVISION
SATURDAY, AUGUST 26
Menai Bridge (15) 235-5 Llandudno (0) 127-10
Jack Gower hit 89 to become the current North Wales League leading run-scorer with 816 as Menai Bridge made it seven straight league wins.
Although the Anglesey side have had to endure five abandonments/cancellations amidst this winning streak, they are no doubt finishing the 2023 season on fire.
Saturday saw the Bridge put into bat by visitors Llandudno and make an imposing 235-5 off a reduced 35 overs, opener Gower’s 83-ball knock including 12 fours and a six, while skipper Gethin Roberts finished 63 not out and Will Blair added 32, Alexander Corver 2-55 for the travellers.
Llandudno were all out for 127 in reply, Lucas Hughes posting 42, Gerallt Roberts 4-24 and Dion Holden 3-17 for the hosts, who enjoyed a maximum 15-0 points triumph.
St Asaph (15) 38-1 Mold (0) 37-10
A very short-lived encounter at Elwy Park Grove saw St Asaph trim the gap on leaders Northop slightly to 10 points with a nine-wicket caning of Mold.
The next-to-bottom visitors won the toss and elected to bat, but were blown away for just 37 in 21.5 overs, Ryan Dunning taking 4-16 and Dan Evans 4-17 for the hosts.
Saints cruised to 38-1 off 11.1 overs for a 15-0 success.
Bangor (2) 94-10 Mochdre (13) 95-5
Aidan Kelly and Matty Humphreys put on a crucial 50 partnership for the fifth wicket to see Mochdre to the verge of victory at Ty Newydd.
Bangor were invited to bat and crashed to 94 all out, Humphreys taking 3-28, Stewart Williams 2-8 and Kelly 2-20 for the visitors.
Mochdre were looking edgy on 40-4 in reply before Kelly (32) and Humphreys (23 not out) formed a 54 stand to guide them to within a run of the winning post.
Franco Kasner took 2-28 and Owen Reilly 2-29 for the Citizens.
Northop (14) 231-5 Halkyn (1) 143-9
In a match cut to 33 overs per team due to rain, leaders Northop scooped a crucial 14 points towards their title bid.
Inserted by the opposition, the home side chalked up a very useful 231-5, Richard Walker 75 not out, Andrew Oates 66 and Jordan Evans 48, Alex North 2-56 for the away side.
In response, Halkyn were limited to 143-9, Shamar Forde 44 and Nathan Roett 32, Bart Ryan-Beswick picking up 3-15 and Marlon Barclay 2-38 for the home team.