North Wales Cricket League Div 1-4: Batsmen dazzle at last!

It has been very much a season for the bowlers so far, but on Saturday the batsmen came to the fore in the North Wales Cricket League.

Some fantastic innings were compiled, many of them personal landmarks. Here is a review of the best.

BATTING STARS

Alwyn Williams (Llanrwst) 110

Pride of place has to go to long-serving prolific wicket-taker Alwyn, who recorded what was according to Play Cricket his maiden century for Llanrwst on Saturday.

Joshua Clarke (Connah’s Quay) 163

Highest score across the league on Saturday and a massive career best from the opener, who did most to ensure the Quay chalked up another win.

Clarke hit 12 fours and eight sixes in his superb effort, and chipped in with two victims with the ball.

Nicholas Parry (Bethesda) 113

A sixth career ton for the prolific Parry. One of Bethesda’s all-time greats.

Sathyajith Ihalagama (Bersham) 145

A fantastic breakthrough knock for Ihalagama, who shared in a second wicket stand of 234 with Hari Garikapogula (94 not out) in their team’s crushing win.

Jac Evans (Ruthin) 131 not out

Evans has been a top performer for a while, but on Saturday he hit new heights with his maiden century and highest club score.

Jack Gibson (Buckley seconds) 102

Biggest score for the seconds for this young talent – tremendous effort.

Gerallt Lyall (Denbigh seconds) 113

Surprisingly just a second recorded century for this exciting left-handed opener, but he has produced so many vital knocks for Denbigh over the years. Closing in on 10,000 career runs.

Tom Bleasdale (Llandudno seconds) 107

Well deserved century for this fine club servant. Second career ton for Llandudno in a great win.

Nick Husbands (Marchwiel and Wrexham seconds) 126 not out

Second big century in a month for Nick. This is a great time to be a Marchwiel and Wrexham player.

NORTH WALES CRICKET LEAGUE REPORTS – JUNE 8

DIVISION ONE

Connah’s Quay (13) 292-7 Pontblyddyn (2) 226-10

Joshua Clarke hit a career best 163 as Connah’s Quay ended up victorious in a high-scoring affair on Saturday.
Clarke’s effort, off 131 balls and including 12 fours and eight sixes, dominated a home total of 292-7 off 45 overs, the hosts having won the toss and chosen to bat.
Tom Hooson was next-highest scorer for the Deesiders with 42.
Pont’s reply ended on 226 all out, James Hughes 64 and Tom Dawson 43, Mali Auty taking 3-32 and man of the match Clarke 2-18.

Abergele (4) 97-10 Hawarden Park (11) 109-10

A modest score of 109 all out proved to be enough to deliver victory for Hawarden Park at Pentre Mawr.
Skipper Campbell Marr top-scored with 24 in the Park’s innings, Rana Das claiming 4-16, David Moulson 2-11 and Lewis Tolond 2-20 for the hosts, who were then dismissed for 97, skipper Tolond 34, Marr 4-20, Ian Martin 2-4 off nine, James Martin 2-16 and Michael Wootton 2-19 for the visitors in an 11-4 points split.

Dolgellau (13) 190-9 Conwy (2) 138-10

Lafras Van Vuuren (40), Jack Williamson (36) and Sion Francis (31) combined to help Dolgellau set a winning total of 190-9 at The Marian.
Guto Davies scooped 2-31 and Blake Stocks 2-35 for the visitors, whose response of 138, Evan Williams 38 and skipper Daniel Davies 32, was only sufficient to earn Conwy two points, Jack Williamson bagging 3-17 and Jack Williams 3-42 for the victorious hosts.

Halkyn (2) 167-8 Buckley (13) 168-5

Opener Alex Storey’s crucial knock of 65 did most to help Buckley over the winning line at Pant Newydd.
Put into bat, Halkyn chalked up a decent 167-8 off 45 overs, Nabeel Khan the standout with 75, while for the visitors, Lee Taylor snapped up 4-37 and Matthew Blunden 2-29.
Bucks made it to 168-5 off 43, Storey’s half-ton nicely backed-up by 29 not out from Chris Geary with Alex North 2-29 and Gareth Thomas 2-41 best of the bowling for the hosts.

Mold (2) 187-10 Bethesda (13) 248-5

Nicholas Parry recorded the sixth league century of his career for a Bethesda outfit which amassed another big match-winning score.
Parry struck 113 off 116 deliveries, registering 13 fours and three sixes in Pesda 248-5 off 45 overs.
Daniel Oshyer added 56 not out, while opener and captain Carwyn L Williams retired hurt on 39, Isaac Allen 2-42 for the Flintshire hosts.
Craig Newey gathered 4-47, Oshyer 3-36 and Ben Parker 3-37 as the visitors bowled out their opponents for 187, Thomas North 54 and Richard Crane 42.

Northop 2nd XI (15) 93-1 Brymbo 2nd XI (0) 92-10

Tom Sudder returned superb figures of 6-22 as leaders Northop seconds skittled out Brymbo seconds for just 92 in a maximum points triumph at Flint Road.
Northop breezed to 93-1 off 29.1. Darren Williams (42) and Scott Oates (29 no) putting on 77 for the first wicket.

DIVISION TWO

Carmel and District (2) 127-9 Marchwiel and Wrexham (13) 202-6

Leaders Marchwiel and Wrexham enjoy a 28-point cushion at the summit after making it six wins in seven matches on Saturday.
Invited to bat, the visitors piled up 202-6 off 40, skipper Sam Shoemark 57 and Darshana Sanjeewa 56, Dafydd Timothy 2-31 and Ben Sim 2-34 for the hosts.
Carmel were limited to 127-9, Danny Owens 46, Muhammad Ghufran 3-17, Sanjeewa 2-12 and Gareth Evans 2-16 for the table-toppers.

Corwen (0) 111-9 Bersham (15) 274-5

Sathyajith Ihalagama came good with 145 and Hari Garikapogula hit 94 not out as the pair shared a second-wicket stand of 234 in Bersham’s crushing win at Corwen.
The visitors made the most of being put into bat, compiling a mammoth 274-5 off 40 overs with Barry Morris taking 4-58 for the hosts.
In response, Corwen could only manage 111-9, extras by far the top contributor with 41, Amith Thilakarathne 4-13 off eight for the away side, Vipin Shylajan 2-16.

Gresford 2nd XI (11) 124-8 Menai Bridge 2nd XI (4) 123-10

Tomos Roberts’ 40 not out was priceless as Gresford seconds edged home by two wickets at Clappers Lane.
Takmer Ali collected 6-22 as travellers Menai Bridge seconds were dismissed for 123, then the Colliers made it to 123-8 off 39, Roberts the main man, while Liam Stone scooped 3-17 and David Owen 2-21 for the islanders.

Llay Welfare 2nd XI (13) 203-6 St Asaph 2nd XI (2) 128-10

Opener Joe Howell (76), skipper Tom Parry (64 not out) and David Phennah (34) were chief contributors as Llay put together a formidable 203-6, Ieuan Jones 2-22 and Iwan Roberts 2-38 for Saints, who were bowled out for 128, skipper Andy Mearns 46 and Ieuan Jones 37, Jacob Roberts 3-10 and Jack Edwards 3-24 for the home side.

Mochdre 2nd XI (14) 212-8 Bangor 2nd XI (1) 131-8

James Gilman led the charge with 73 in Mochdre seconds’ match-winning effort at Swan Road.
Finlay Jones added 53, he and Gilman forming a partnership of 117 for the second wicket, as the hosts notched up 212-8 off 40, Tomos Davies an impressive 5-38 for the Citizens.
In reply, the visitors were restricted to 131-8, Jamie Davies 29 and Gareth Edwards 26, Andrew Butlin 2-8 and Adam Jones 2-29 for Mochdre.

Pontblyddyn 2nd XI (0) 46-10 Llanrwst (15) 190-10

Long-serving Alwyn Williams proudly recorded a maiden century and a career best score of 110 in Llanrwst’s maximum spoils success at Alder Meadow.
Better known for his bowling skills, skipper Williams hit a magnificent ton in what was largely a one-man show in the Rwsters’ effort of 190 all out, Fraser Keay 3-27 and Christian Wrathall 3-39 for Pont, who were then blitzed out for just 46.
Elliott Mutch took 2-9, Caron Williams 2-17 and Alwyn Williams rounded off a magical match by nabbing 1-2 off six overs.

DIVISION THREE

Hawarden Park 2nd XI (11) 129-10 Pwllheli (4) 115-10

Skipper Haseeb Hanif Bikya top-scored with the bat and returned best figures with the ball as his team Hawarden Park seconds edged a thriller at Moor Lane.
Bikya made 39 and Antonio Carrino 29 as the hosts, put into bat, were dismissed for 129 in 38 overs.

Pwllheli were then all back in the hutch for 115, Daniel Pigott 38 not out, Adam Williams 28, Bikya 4-22, Matthew Gentry 3-23 and Owen Ford 2-20 for the hosts.

Bethesda 2nd XI (1) 173-7 Clwb Criced Caernarfon (14) 177-3

A seven-wicket win for Caernarfon at Parc Villa was achieved with relative comfort.
Inserted by the visitors, Pesda seconds posted 173-7 off their 40, Ashley Rowlands 40 and Tom Bartlett 31, Ian Morgan picking up 3-16 and Llyr Erddyn Davies 2-27 for the Cofis.
Caernarfon’s batting response was a good all-round display, Monis Altaf best with 48, Morgan retiring not out on 33 and Naimum Islam adding 30.

Conwy 2nd XI (0) 100-5 Ruthin (15) 218-6

Jac Evans dazzled brightly for Ruthin with a career best 131 not out and a maiden century in a thumping victory at Bodlondeb.
Evans struck 16 fours and a six in his innings, part of an immense away score of 218-6 compiled after being asked to bat.
Jamie Hughes added 46 for the visitors, Conwy’s Luke Stedman 3-43.
The home team could only rustle up 100-5 off 40, Carwyn Thomas 38 not out, Osian Roberts 2-5 off six and Evans 2-15 from eight.

Buckley 2nd XI (12) 222-10 Halkyn 2nd XI (3) 173-6

Jack Gibson matched his career-finest knock of 102 in Buckley seconds’ well-contested win over Halkyn seconds at Lane End.
Gibson previously made 102 for Buckley thirds in 2021, so with Saturday’s showpiece being for the seconds, this was his highest level score for the club.
Opener Gibson dominated a home innings of 222 all out, Will Baker 4-33 and Josh Edwards 2-47 for the away team.
Halkyn made a good go of things in reply, ending with 173-6, Baker 32 and Finlay Rooke-Hart 31, Sam Booth 3-25 and Tom Pool 2-29 for Bucks.

Denbigh 2nd XI (2) 197-6 Mold 2nd XI (13) 198-4

Long-serving Denbigh opener Gerallt Lyall, who is not far off the 10,000 career runs mark, hit the second century of his career in the seconds’ defeat to Mold seconds on Saturday.
The left-hander made 113 – his highest score in 10 years since making 125 versus Llandudno for the first team in 2014 – as Dinbych posted 197-6 at Ystrad Road on Saturday.
Chris Brown added 48 not out, while for the visitors, Keith Embleton took 2-12 and Rhys G Hughes 2-13.
Mold hit back with a winning 198-4 in 39, Louis Boulton 58 and Rhys G Hughes 53 no.

Gwersyllt Park 2nd XI (4) 134-10 Connah’s Quay 2nd XI (11) 159-10

From being in big trouble at 54-7, Connah’s Quay seconds recovered to set a match-clinching total of 159 all out.
Tail-enders Phil Keidel (51) and Hashmet Safi (40) put on 71 for the ninth wicket to turn the tide for the Deesiders.
Ryan McCarthy snaffled 4-14, Michael Griffiths 2-35 and Josh Marshall 2-41 for Gwersyllt.
The hosts were unable to reach the winning post, their innings closing on 134.
Skipper James Collier was top contributor with 30, Matthew Dix 3-9, Rhys Jones 3-34 and Safi 2-24 for the Wrexham side.

DIVISION FOUR

Bersham 2nd XI (15) 206-4 Dolgellau 2nd XI (0) 22-10

Thushardath Ep (58), Anooj Kesavan (40) and Bibin Sunny (39) combined to ensure Bersham seconds compiled a mighty 206-4 off their 40 overs.
Dolgellau seconds were then skittled out for a paltry 22, Sujeesh Vazhadan 5-12 and Shins Varghese 2-6.

Llanrwst 2nd XI (0) 120-10 Llandudno 2nd XI (15) 240-7

Tom Bleasdale made his highest-ever score for the seconds and best for the club in 13 years as his 107 guided Llandudno to victory at Parc Gwydir.
Winning the toss and deciding to bat, Tudno accummulated a huge 240-7 from 40, skipper David Barlow also shining with 82, putting on 193 for the second wicket with Bleasdale.
Stuart Hughes bagged 3-39 and Ian Nicholls 2-19 for the home side, who were bowled out for exactly half their opponents’ total – 120.
Skipper Matty Lloyd made 42, Hannah Thornton claiming 4-18 off eight, Elin Roberts 2-11 and Dan Jones 2-25 for the victorious Seasiders.

Marchwiel and Wrexham 2nd XI (15) 280-4 Hawarden Park 3rd XI (0) 91-10

Nick Husbands notched his second big ton in a month, his 126 not out guiding Marchwiel and Wrexham seconds to a mountainous 280-4.
Mike Lee posted 71 and Zahid Sharif 42 for the home side, who then blasted Hawarden thirds out for just 91, Ed Greening 5-17 and Cheyenne Walker 3-14.

Ruthin 2nd XI (15) 255-6 Carmel and District 2nd XI (0) 56-10

Ifan Hanifa was dismissed just one short of a ton for Ruthin seconds, but his 99 was still a career best.
The home side set a mighty 255-6 after being asked to bat, Duncan Roberts adding 39, Steve Nash 2-29 for the visitors, who were blown away for 56, Jonas Roberts 4-9, Austin Manderson 3-19.