Colwyn Bay marked their return to Premier League cricket with a fantastic run-chase in a one-wicket victory at Formby.
Winning the toss and deciding to field, last season’s First Division champions limited the Liverpool hosts to 250-6 off 50.2 overs, Jack Carney hitting 79, Lucas Kennedy 61 and Ian Cockbain 53, Matt Russell taking 2-65 for the visitors.
In reply, Bay looked in trouble at 66-4 and 93-5, but Russell (58), Will Higginson (44) and Tahir Iqbal (30) brought the North Wales side back into it, although at 198-8, Formby still looked favourites.
However, Russell’s half-ton helped Bay to 246-9 before he was dismissed, but last pair Charlie Collins (10 not out) and Dulanjala Mendis got the visitors over the line.
Paul Jenkins marked his return to Northop Hall with a four-wicket haul, but despite a superb 72 from skipper Ben Slater, the Flintshire side ended up losers at home to Ainsdale.
Put into bat, Ainsdale posted 192-7 declared, Daniel Fitzpatrick a dominant 90, with Jenkins, back at Smithy Lane after a 22-year break where he claimed over 1,000 wickets for Colwyn Bay, collecting 4-71 off 22 overs, while fellow spinner James Hurlin scooped 3-41.
Hall nosedived to 61-5 in response, but Slater and Jenkins (29) helped the hosts to 168 all out and a 24-run defeat, Dilanka Auwardt bagging 5-79 for the visitors.
Adam Tidswell took five wickets on his debut as Prestatyn captain, but a poor batting display from the hosts ensured they finished up well beaten at Beach Close.
Calling the coin correctly and opting to bat, Fleetwood Hesketh were bowled out for 180, Nathan Condon 50, Tidswell 5-77 off 20.2, Ben Hughes an excellent 3-30 off 14 and Navneet Kaimal 2-38 from 11.
Kaimal was top contributor with 21 as the hosts were dismissed for 87, Raja Immi 3-7 and Jonny Howard 3-26.
Mal Swift’s 98 for the hosts was the main reason Hall seconds chased a massive target they never got near to reaching.
Ainsdale seconds posted 201-2 and the Flintshire visitors were restricted to 130-9, Michael Williamson 64, Jarryd Daries 5-41.
Bay began the season with a 58-run home triumph.
Shay Williams grabbed seven wickets and Dan Russell posted 70.
Skipper Jack Cheetham led the way with 36 and Richard A Williams added 30 as the visitors set 132 all out, Whitefield getting home on 136-5, Ashley Jones 4-44 off 12.
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