St Asaph are North Wales Cricket League Premier Division champions for the second time in three years.
Leading the table by three points going into today’s final match at Menai Bridge, the Saints needed 13 more to clinch top spot, but handed out a 15-0 demolition job to seal the title in some style.
Main star of the show was Duncan Midgley, who hit an unbeaten 144 to ensure the visitors set a total that was never going to be threatened.
The only team that could deny Mathew Ryan’s side the championship today, Northop, won 12-3 at Bangor, but the gallant Flintshire side still ended up six points behind the Elwy Park Grove outfit.
A visit to the 2022 champions Menai Bridge, also title winners in 2014, 2015 and 2017 and who had not finished outside the top two in 10 seasons before this one, presented a very tough final afternoon hurdle for Saints.
The away side won the toss, elected to bat, and amassed 212-5 off 50 overs.
Midgley produced one of his trademark very special innings when the pressure was on most.
His 144 not out came off 159 balls, including nine fours and seven sixes.
Midgley, 36, is closing in on 10,000 career runs, passed 7,500 in league games today and recorded his 14th career century. His highest score is still the 173 he hit for Llandudno in 2012.
The right-hander dominated this afternoon’s away innings at Tyn-y-Caeau, putting on 85 for the second wicket with Nathanael Scott (28) and an undefeated 75 for the fifth with David Lloyd.
Dion Holden claimed 2-33 for the Bridge.
Menai’s batting is always traditionally strong, so 212 was by no means an assured winning score in theory, but the Anglesey side were rolled over for just 79 in 27.4 overs in reply.
Jack Gower was the only double-figure scorer for the hosts with 33.
Dan Evans produced fantastic figures of 5-8 off 7.4 overs, while Danny Ryan collected 4-18 from eight.
St Asaph won by 133 runs and 15-0 points.
When they needed to produce something remarkable they did exactly that – just like true champions do.
Congratulations to St Asaph – 2023 North Wales League Premier Division champions!
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