CORWEN 113

GWERSYLLT PARK 119-5

THE toughest match so far this season faced Corwen over the weekend.

The War Memorial Park outfit were tasked with doing something that no other North Wales Cricket League Division Two team has been able to do in 2018.

They played host to a Gwersyllt Park side that had won nine out of nine heading into Saturday's encounter.

The visitors would have been favourites to secure a thumping win to strengthen their position at the head of the standings, but Corwen gave the high-flyers plenty of food for thought on the day.

It was Gwersyllt Park skipper Lee Beer who called correctly during the pre-match toss and he invited the hosts to bat first on another warm day.

A number of batsmen managed to get good starts without going on to contribute decisive scores and Corwen were eventually bowled out for 113 in the 41st over.

Leading the scoring stakes were Martin Evans-Jones (29), Simon Harrison (19) and Kamran Hassan (18).

Michael Griffiths was the star of the Gwersyllt Park bowling attack, finishing up with a miserly 3-9 return in his 10 overs.

Also in good form was Neil Pearson, who bagged 3-23.

If they thought the chase would be a comfortable one, Gwersyllt Park were in for a shock.

After a promising start, which saw George Miles and Ian Pearson (20) compiling an opening stand of 39, the visitors were in a spot of bother when they were reduced to 70-5.

Doing the damage with the ball were Simon Harrison (2-16), Kamran Hassan (2-38) and Nathan Aldridge (1-21).

However, an unbroken sixth wicket stand of 49 led Gwersyllt Park to a winning 119-5 in the 26th over.

Leading the league frontrunners to their 10th win of the campaign were Lee Beer (22 not out) and Scott Watkins (20 not out).

Corwen picked up three points from their efforts, with Gwersyllt Park gaining 12 points.