North Wales Cricket League Division One – tight relegation battle goes down to last day
While the destiny of the North Wales Cricket League Division One title is already decided with Gwersyllt Park crowned champions, the relegation battle goes down to the final day.
With Llay Welfare and Marchwiel & Wrexham already certain to go down, the last drop spot looks to be between Buckley on 114 points and Menai Bridge seconds with 113.
Buckley are home to Conwy in their final match this Saturday, while the Bridge travel to Connah’s Quay.
If Bucks better Bridge’s points tally by any margin – or match it – this weekend the Flintshire side are safe.
Bethesda could still be dragged into the mire but it looks unlikely.
DIVISION ONE TABLE
FINAL DAY FIXTURES – SEPTEMBER 16
Abergele v Hawarden Park
Buckley v Conwy
Connah’s Quay v Menai Bridge II
Gwersyllt Park v Dolgellau
Marchwiel & Wrexham v Bethesda
Northop II v Llay Welfare
REPORTS – SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 9
Buckley (11) 155-9 Hawarden Park (4) 154-10
A fifth win in their last six matches gave Buckley a live chance of preserving their Division One status.
It was a real cliffhanger at Lane End last Saturday, where Bucks defeated second-place Hawarden Park by a single wicket.
Louis Parry’s side now entertain Conwy in their final game this weekend knowing a victory could go a long way towards keeping them up.
Hawarden won the toss and batted last weekend, posting a total of 154 all out off 43.5 overs, Owen Skillander top-scoring with 33, while five bowlers took two wickets each for the hosts – Jack Gibson 2-15, Adam Shaw 2-19, Matthew Blunden 2-31, Lee Taylor 2-38 and captain Parry 2-44.
In reply, opener Adam Smith was Bucks’ biggest contributor with 43, while Evan Shaw took 2-13 and Tom Norris 2-23 for the visitors.
Having matched Park’s score, the home team lost two wickets on 154 and were nine down, but Taylor hit the vital single which clinched the win.
Menai Bridge 2nd XI (11) 195-10 Northop 2nd XI (4) 190-10
Just like Buckley pulled off a heartstopping victory to boost their escape hopes, so Menai Bridge seconds did the same with a five-run home success against Northop seconds.
Sam Bixby made 57 and Iwan Moore 51 as the Bridge were bowled out for 195 after winning the toss and opting for first knock.
Will Baker bagged 5-21 for the visitors, who were sent packing for 190, Leo Greig 46, Josh Griffiths 36, Andrew Nuttall the Menai star with 5-31.
Bethesda (2) 105-10 Gwersyllt Park (13) 174-5
No let up from Gwersyllt Park even though they have already clinched the championship.
The Wrexham visitors chalked up 174-5 off 45 overs at Parc Villa after being invited to bat, Iroshan De Silva posting 72 not out and Lewis Cole 39, Andrew Day 2-30 for the hosts.
Pesda were all removed for 105, Cole 3-10 off nine, Ryan McCarthy 3-49 and De Silva 2-21. Youngster Ted Pearson took 1-9 off five on a promising debut.
Park won by 69 runs and a 13-2 points margin.
Conwy (15) 262-4 Marchwiel & Wrexham (0) 84-10
Skipper Daniel Davies hit 83 not out, Evan Williams made 73 and Calum Jones 54 as Conwy amassed 262-4 off 45 overs after deciding to bat.
Relegated Marchwiel & Wrexham were all back in the hutch for 84, Vaughan Williams pocketing 3-17 for Conwy, Tom Plank 2-19 and Guto Davies 2-26.
Dolgellau (12) 187-8 Connah’s Quay (3) 139-10
An impressive 60 from Sion Francis and 42 not out by skipper Jack Williams led Dolgellau to a match-clinching score of 187-8 off their 45 at The Marian.
Lee Davies claimed 3-34 and Joshua Clarke 2-27 for the Deesiders, who were then dismissed for 139, openers James Du Toit (60) and Darren Leach (40) putting on 89 before the rest of the batting failed, Sam Williams poaching 5-46 and Jack Williamson 4-11 for the victorious hosts.