Liverpool Competition: Evans ton sparks Bay win, Prestatyn edge thriller, Hall unlucky to miss out – twice!
LIVERPOOL AND DISTRICT COMPETITION REPORTS – SATURDAY, MAY 18
1ST XI FIRST DIVISION
Colwyn Bay (24) 194-10 Fleetwood Hesketh (5) 45-10
Will Evans hit a sparkling hundred to inspire a victory which got Colwyn Bay’s season truly up and running.
Evans posted his fifth century in three seasons with the Bay, and is now just 20 runs short of 1,500 for the club in league matches, plus only 56 shy of 2,000 in all competitions.
Saturday’s victory at Penrhyn Avenue was just what the doctor ordered for the North Wales side after a sticky start to the campaign.
Put into bat, the Bay were all out for 194 off 48.6 overs, Evans’ 100 exactly coming off 103 balls, including 12 fours and two sixes. The only other score of note was 30 from skipper George Johansen.
Sabbir Patel took 5-46 for Fleetwood, who were then blown away for just 45 in 21.3 overs.
Jack Parry collected 4-15 and new overseas all-rounder, Sri Lankan slow left-armer Dulanjala Mendis, scooped an impressive 4-17 from 10.3.
1ST XI SECOND DIVISION
Prestatyn (21) 111-10 Southport Trinity (6) 106-10
Ben Hughes clean bowled Trinity’s No 11 to snatch a dramatic five-run win for Prestatyn at Beach Close.
In a low-scoring encounter, the hosts won the toss and batted but could only muster 111 all out off 42.5 overs.
David Harris (28) and Gareth Leonard (22) were the main contributors, Dylan Rowley bagging 5-28 and Jake Sunderland 4-31 for the visitors.
In reply, Trinity slumped to 69-8, Will Marsh 34, but a ninth-wicket stand of 35, Mark Prince making 27, took the travellers close to victory on 104-9.
However, Hughes came up with the perfect straight one to win the match for the hosts.
Aarya Jadhav claimed a 4-26 off a miserly 24 overs, Hughes grabbed 3-20 from 10.5 and Jaden Ablett pocketed 2-21.
Northop Hall (5) 122-10 Caldy (25) 125-8
Having Caldy struggling on 109-8 chasing 123 for victory, Northop Hall looked to be on the brink of success, but a vital 64 not out from Umega Chaturanga guided the visitors over the line.
Hall won the toss and decided to bat, posting a modest 122 all out, skipper Ben Slater best with 36, opener Alex Smith contributing 24.
Caldy lost wickets regularly in reply, but that man Chaturanga saw them home.
Liam Evans-Ford poached a superb 3-20 off 13, Will Edwards 2-14 and Nathan Roett 2-42.
2ND XI PREMIER DIVISION
Southport and Birkdale 2nd XI (24) 161-5 Colwyn Bay 2nd XI (5) 160-8
Ryan Holtby’s 59 not out ensured Bay seconds set a respectable 160-8 declared off 50 overs, but it was not enough to prevent them losing.
Josh Brown added 34 to the away total, Peter Crew 5-53 for the hosts, who reached 161-5 in reply to claim a 24-5 points triumph.
A crucial 56 not out from skipper Dean Skelton helped S & B achieve their target, Shay Williams 3-46 for the Welsh side.
2ND XI SECOND DIVISION
Caldy 2nd XI (3) 75-9 Northop Hall 2nd XI (7) 174-4 dec – DRAWN
Six-wicket Northop Hall star Sion Hellen deserved to be on the winning side, but his team ended up agonisingly short of victory on the Wirral.
Gareth Fox (74) and Jack Smallwood (50 no) put in 118 for the fourth wicket as the visitors set a challenging 174-4 declared from 51 overs.
In response, Caldy clung on at 75-9 off 35, Hellen snaring a magnificent 6-9 off seven overs.
St Helens Town 2nd XI (25) 59-6 Prestatyn 2nd XI (3) 58-10
Not Prestatyn seconds’ day at Ruskin Drive.
They were skittled out for just 58, Steven Edwards 21, after choosing to bat and then were unable to stop Saints getting home on 59-6 after being 36-0, Ashley Jones 4-14 and James Soni 2-11.