North Wales Cricket League Division One: Mold top after young stars shine

Gethin Thomas made a half-century for Pontblyddyn at Llandudno. Picture: MATT JOHNSON – massive thanks

NORTH WALES CRICKET LEAGUE DIVISION ONE REPORTS – JULY 5

Llandudno (4) 198-10 Pontblyddyn (11) 205-5

Llandudno’s Lucas Hughes in bowling action against Pont. Picture: MATT JOHNSON

Pontblyddyn pulled off a surprise seven-run victory against overnight leaders Llandudno in a thriller at The Oval.
Winning the toss and electing to bat, Pont produced a decent score of 205-5 off 45 overs, Vishwa Manawaduge finishing 57 not out, opener Gethin Thomas adding 55 and James Hughes 46, Shana Kelly taking 2-20 and Keegan Armstrong 2-39 for the hosts.
A dramatic late collapse, which included two run outs, saw Tudno dismissed for 198, Jake Sumbland 52 and Lucas Hughes 31 not out.
Manawaduge ended up the all-round hero for Pont by gathering 4-31.

Bangor 2nd XI (12) 114-10 Mochdre 2nd XI (3) 83-10

A great spell of 5-24 from Bangor seconds’ Mehul Ahir ensured the home side’s low total was enough to bring them victory.
Gareth Edwards top-scored with 30 as the Citizens could only concoct 114 all out after being put into bat, Andrew Butlin 4-28 and Thomas Opie 3-15 for the visitors, who were then sent packing for just 83, Edwards’ 2-13 adding to Ahir’s match-winning five-for.

Connah’s Quay (2) 209-10 Mold (13) 210-5

Louis Boulton made a first team best score of 88 not out for Mold

Fifteen-year-old Louis Boulton was the toast of Mold after his first team best score of 88 not out guided the visitors to a five-wicket victory and the Division One summit.
Invited to bat, Connah’s Quay set a useful 209 all out, Mali Auty 40, Joshua Clarke 32, Tom Hooson and Kavindu Wijethunga both 31, Hayden Millington taking 3-13, Isaac Allen 2-34 and Henry Roberts 2-35 for the Flintshire travellers.
In reply, Boulton’s magnificent knock, which included 11 fours, and 76 – also a first team highest – from opener Thomas North were the chief contributors as Mold reached a winning 210-5 off 43.1. Boulton and North put on a crucial 107 for the second wicket.
Rhys Stout took 2-43 for the home side.

Gresford (4) 144-10 Hawarden Park (11) 158-9

A good contest at Clappers Lane ended in a narrow win for the visitors.
Philip Bradfield (47) and captain Campbell Marr (37) helped Hawarden Park post 158-9 after choosing to bat, Ahmadzai Wali Ahamad Zai bagging 3-26 and Takmer Ali 3-27 for the home team.
Despite a stubborn 47 from skipper Joshua Knowles, Gresford were bowled out for 144, Evan Shaw 3-24 and Ian Martin 2-21 for the Moor Lane club.

Halkyn (15) Dolgellau (-15) – Dolgellau conceded

Northop 2nd XI (14) 120-3 Brymbo 2nd XI (1) 118-10

Opener Darren Williams’ unbeaten 54 steered Northop seconds to a comfortable seven-wicket home success.
Brymbo seconds opted to bat and were bundled out for just 118, extras by far the biggest contributor with 43. Andy Poynton 3-13, Mark Poynton 3-39 and Josh Griffiths 2-15 for the hosts.
Northop eased to 120-3 off just 19.3 with Williams the star turn, Ioan Craven-Jones 2-32 for the visitors.