Cricket: Colwyn Bay are relegated from 1st XI ECB Premier League

Will Evans hit a fantastic 130 not out for Colwyn Bay, but it was all in vain

LIVERPOOL AND DISTRICT CRICKET COMPETITION

1ST XI ECB PREMIER LEAGUE

Colwyn Bay (8) 251-3 dec
New Brighton (20) 252-6

Colwyn Bay have been relegated to Division One after a tremendous final-day effort to save themselves ended in heartbreak.

George Johansen’s side needed to beat fellow strugglers New Brighton at Penrhyn Avenue to maximise their hopes of staying up, however the Wirral visitors successfully chased a big target to achieve victory and send the hosts down.

Bay lost the toss and were put into bat.

They needed a big total and got it – rattling up 251-3 declared off 44.5 overs.

Will Evans was the shining light, cracking 130 not out off 97 balls, smashing 10 sixes and seven fours to record his highest score of the season.

Evans shared in an unbroken fourth-wicket stand of 115 with Adam Campion (35 not out).

Earlier, skipper Johansen had made 37 and opener Zack Gidlow 35.

In reply, New Brighton looked in bother at 81-4, but then Sebastian J Botes (76) and Daniel Cooke (77) formed a crucial partnership of 130 for the fifth wicket.

The visitors reached the winning post at 252-6 off 47.5 overs to bag a four-wicket, 20 points to 8 win.

For the Bay, Jack Parry gathered 3-61 and Ryan Holtby 2-73. In the end, the bowlers proved too expensive and the hosts fell to a 10th loss in 22 matches.

New Brighton survive and Orrell Red Triangle are relegated along with Bay.

Although Colwyn Bay proved themselves to be the one-day kings of Wales in landing the Welsh Cup in 2023, the season ends on a disappointing note for the club, but they will come again.