Cricket Welsh Cup: St Asaph win high-scoring tie against Premier rivals Northop

WELSH CRICKET CUP NORTH ZONE 2 QUARTER-FINAL

St Asaph 304-7 (40) Northop 252-10 (39.4)

Runs galore at Elwy Park Grove as St Asaph advanced to the next stage of the 2024 Welsh Cricket Cup.

Two of the top sides in the North Wales League Premier Division met in a great contest where Saints’ 300-plus total off 40 overs proved too mighty for the visitors.

Asaph won the toss, elected to bat, and amassed 304-7.

Duncan Midgley (82) and Matty Ryan (41) put on 124 for the first wicket. Nathanael Scott (65) and captain Will Ryan (77) then added 116 for the third wicket.

Wales international Will Ryan’s stunning effort came off just 48 balls and included five fours and five sixes.

Top-scorer Midgley’s knock took him just 68 deliveries and featured nine boundaries and four maximums. Scott’s half-ton arrived from 59 balls.

For the away side, Joe Griffiths claimed 3-65, Matthew Mullarkey and Bart Ryan-Beswick 2-39 apiece.

In reply, Northop’s exciting South African import Peet Pienaar cracked 101 off 87 balls, hitting 12 fours and three sixes, but apart from Ben Beaver (33) no-one else could make a significant score and the Flintshire side ended up 252 all out in the final over.

Robbie Prior notched 3-59 and Gareth Goodson 2-55 for the hosts, who were declared winners by 52 runs.

WELSH CUP FIXTURES TO COME….

June 6

North Zone 2 – R1
Colwyn Bay v Mochdre (6pm)

June 9

North Zone 1 – R2
Gresford v Brymbo
Gwersyllt Park v Connah’s Quay