North Wales sport’s greatest stories of 2024 – August: Mochdre’s cricketers land first-ever Premier title
On August 31, Mochdre were crowned North Wales Cricket League Premier Division champions for the first time in their history.
The Conwy County Borough village side won 14 of their 18 matches, losing just twice and taking the title by a 35-point margin from runners-up and 2023 kings St Asaph.
An opening day 15-0 points away thrashing of Northop pretty much set the tone for a season to remember for Joe Chaplin’s Mochdre stars.
Their success was very much a team effort, but among individuals, opening bat Alex Davies was sensational, posting a career-best 166 in amassing 525 league runs in just 12 games.
Returning all-rounder Adam Campion posted 497 league runs and took 22 wickets, while the ever-consistent Matty Humphreys totalled 482 with the bat and claimed 37 victims with the ball.
Skipper Chaplin was very consistent with bat and ball and there were numerous other players who produced key contributions at different stages.
Wicket-keeper batsman James French was his usual reliable self with important runs and 15 dismissals, including five in the title clincher at Gwersyllt Park.
To complete an amazing season for the club, Mochdre Seconds won the Division Two title.
Their finest performers included highly-promising young batsmen James Gilman and Owen Opie, stand out all-rounder Finlay Jones and prolific wicket-taker Munim Khan.
Club stalwarts like left-arm bowler Russ Boswell also produced moments of magic, such as his 4-1 in a win over Gresford Seconds. Russ is closing in on 500 club wickets.