A SUPERB knock from Gerallt Lyall just failed to give Denbigh a weekend victory.

Travelling to Connah's Quay in the Premier Division of the North Wales Cricket League, Ben Wilcox-Jones' charges ended up only one wicket away from victory on a day that produced more than 500 runs.

Lyall (pictured) produced almost a fifth of the tally with his undefeated 99, but Quay held on at the end of a thrilling contest.

It was Denbigh skipper Wilcox-Jones who called correctly during the pre-match toss and he asked his opening batsmen to pad up.

Lyall and Joe Clayton got the visitors off to a solid start, before the latter departed for 26 when he was dismissed by Darren Leach.

The Connah's Quay bowler quickly gained the wicket of Harrison Jones during the home side's best spell of the match, but Denbigh then held the upper hand during the remainder of their 50-over innings.

With Lyall not for shifting and getting to within a run of a deserved century, there was plenty of support from the likes of John Lee Rowlands (54), Wilcox-Jones (27) and Tom Schrimshaw (27).

All of this meant that the Ystrad Road side were able to declare on an imposing 260-5.
Leach (2-53) and Ryan Holloway (2-35) were the pick of the home bowlers.

Denbigh's spell in the field couldn't have got off to a better start, as they claimed an early wicket, but Connah's Quay recovered from this setback with skipper Martin Burger (67) and David Fox (61) looking dangerous.

There were plenty of twists and turns, as spinner Harrison Jones (4-53) and Stuart Griffiths (3-57) rekindled Denbigh's victory hopes.

However, an important 24 not out from number nine Kevin Jones ensured that the home side clung on for a draw, reaching 243-9 in 60 overs.

DENBIGH 2NDS 253-2
MOLD 2NDS 78-9
(Denbigh won 10-0)

THREE wins out of three mean that Denbigh 2nds are ruling the roost in Division Three.

The Ystrad Road side were in complete control of their Saturday encounter at home to Mold, dominating every aspect of the contest to romp to a maximum points win.

In form Denbigh needed only four batsmen when they batted first, while Mold utilised no fewer than nine bowlers in their efforts to break the large partnerships on show.

The opening pair of Darren Nixon and Daniel Nixon compiled a first wicket stand of 106 to have the home side in control from the off.

It was Daniel Nixon who was the first to depart for 52, but there was no respite for the visitors.

Sam Lewis then came in and he bludgeoned a destructive 70 not out from just 57 deliveries to put Denbigh well on top.

Opener Darren Nixon top scored with 78 and there was a quickfire 26 not out from Dafydd Lewis.

All of this meant that Denbigh's 45 overs ended with them reaching an imposing 253-2.

Mold's John Lloyd (2-53) was the only bowler to have any joy.

Denbigh continued to turn the screw when they took to the field.

Mold were never at the races as all seven of the Denbigh bowlers picked up wickets.

Chris Brown (2-8) and Gethin Williams (2-9) were in fine form, as were Andy Clarke (1-14), Jack Griffiths (1-12), Sam Lewis (1-10), Murray Whitehead (1-10) and Dafydd Lewis (1-0).

The visitors only managed to reach 78-9.