North Wales Cricket League Division One – Gwersyllt Park on brink of the title

NORTH WALES CRICKET LEAGUE

REPORTS – DIVISION ONE

SATURDAY, AUGUST 26

Buckley (1) 40-10 Gwersyllt Park (14) 44-2

The title is pretty much in the bag for Gwersyllt Park.

Just six more points from their final three games will ensure the Wrexham-area side are crowned 2023 Division One champions.

The Park made light work of their trip to Buckley on Saturday.

Neil Pearson claimed an outstanding 5-8 off four overs as the visitors dismissed Bucks for just 40 after the hosts won the toss and elected to bat.

Lewis Cole picked up 2-12 and Daniel Jones 2-15.

Gwersyllt then eased to 44-2 in 10.4 overs, Ralfie Challinor 16 not out.

Hawarden Park (12) 166-6 Northop 2nd XI (3) 138-10

Chris Geary’s knock of 68 proved vital as second-placed Hawarden Park overcame the challenge of Northop seconds at Moor Lane.

Put into bat in a match reduced to 30 overs per side, the hosts chalked up a useful 166-6, that Geary innings standing out, while Romano Franco added 29, Kevin Owen scooping 2-20 for Northop, who were then dismissed for 138.

David Foulkes top-scored with 35, while for the home team Evan Shaw claimed 2-22 and Adam De Rycke 2-31.

Conwy (15) 174-2 Menai Bridge 2nd XI (2) 42-10

Openers Evan Williams and Philip Michael Davies put on 154 as Conwy well and truly got it right at Bodlondeb.

The third-place hosts, just two points behind Hawarden Park in second, were put in by Menai Bridge seconds and rattled up 174-2 off 40 overs.

Williams hit 70 and Davies 64 not out in an epic stand, Liam Stone taking 2-40 from the hosts.

Conwy also bowled brilliantly, blasting the islanders away for just 42, Graham Meredith shining brightest with 4-3, Tom Plank 3-6 and Patrick Jelley 2-13.

Ian Granger made a spirited 21 for Bridge – half his team’s total.

RELEGATION/PROMOTION

Only the Division One title winners will be promoted this season as the league intends to cut the Premier to 10 teams in 2024. Three teams will be relegated from the Premier this year.

The intention is to make the Premier more competitive with an increased emphasis on T20 cricket for the top flight. The confirmed format for 2024 will be decided upon by the league over the winter.

Marchwiel and Wrexham (12) 71-6 Llay Welfare (3) 69-10

Phil Oddie bagged 4-21 and Sam Shoemark 3-6 as all-but-relegated Marchwiel and Wrexham sent Llay packing for just 69 after inserting the hosts.

The hosts found it far from a stroll in reply, but got to 71-6 in 20.5 overs for a 12-3 victory, Josh Williams best with 22,

Nathan Humphreys pocketed an excellent 3-8 off eight and David Phennah 2-17 for the away team.

Abergele (3) Connah’s Quay (3) – Cancelled

Bethesda (3) Dolgellau (3) – Cancelled