Cricket: Dale Randall hits ton as Chirk seconds finish season in fabulous style

SHROPSHIRE COUNTY CRICKET LEAGUE

DIVISION EIGHT

Chirk 2nd XI (24) 219-3 Cae Glas (2) 114-10

Dale Randall ended the 2023 season on a real high by hitting his fourth career century in a massive win for Chirk seconds.

Randall struck 106 not out, missing out on equalling a career-best by just a single run, as the home side clinched fourth place in Division Eight with a third straight victory.

At one stage, Chirk looked certain to finish bottom, but an upsurge in form through August and September saw them well clear of the basement.

Put into bat, the North Wales hosts chalked up 219-3 off 40 overs, Connor Dyke (55 not out) and Rob Williams (34) providing great support to number three Randall.

Visitors Cae Glas were then rolled over for 114, Andy Jones taking 3-12, Randall completing a great day with 2-12 and five other bowlers claimed a wicket apiece.

DIVISION ONE

Bomere Heath 1st XI (20) 193-10 Chirk 1st XI (5) 97-10

Chirk ended a mixed season – good in parts not so in others – in sixth place after a final day defeat at Bomere Heath.

The hosts were inserted by the opposition and posted 193 all out off 45 overs, all-rounder Nick Flack with an excellent 5-43 – including a magnificent hat-trick – Andrew Swarbrick taking 2-16 and Liam Walker 2-26 for the visitors.

Former skipper Luke Gardner did best with 31 not out as Chirk collapsed to just 97 all out.

CHIRK AAA STATS 2023 (both teams included)

BATTING (top 5)
1 Rob Williams 536 runs (average 67.00)
2 James Carter 329
3 Nick Flack 322
4 Oliver Gough 314
5 Liam Walker 285

BOWLING (top 5)
1 Andrew Swarbrick 38 wickets (average 9.29)
2 Nick Flack 32
3 Jonathan Phillips 22
4 Chris Hughes 17
5 Luke Gardner 17