DENBIGH 203

PWLLHELI 229-4

DENBIGH failed to make the most of a promising position as they suffered defeat in their latest North Wales Cricket League encounter.

The Ystrad Road side looked to be on course for success when they reached 147-1 in their efforts to overhaul visitors Pwllheli's 229-4 target.

However, the Gwynedd side responded in excellent fashion to finish the match on top and Denbigh lost their last nine wickets for just 56 runs to lose out in the Premier Division encounter.

It was Denbigh captain Harrison Jones who called correctly during the pre-match toss and he invited the visitors to make first use of the batting track.

Pwllheli made a promising start to their innings courtesy of a 54-run stand for the first wicket.

This was compiled by Owen Reilly and Craig Edwards, with the partnership eventually coming to an end when Alec Lewis dismissed the latter for 33.

Only an additional 13 runs had been added to the tally when the next wicket fell, with Andy Clarke bowling Reilly for 20.

There would be little joy for Denbigh for a considerable length of time, with Morgan Murray-Williams and Jason Underwood putting together a century stand for the third wicket.

When the visitors had reached 167, Murray-Williams was out for a patient 38, becoming the first of Joe Lewis' two victims.

Lewis soon trapped Swapnil Padmanand Kate leg before to boost Denbigh's hopes further, but Underhill wasn't for shifting and he finished up undefeated on 95 when the innings drew to a close.

With the support of captain Michael Hughes (18 not out), the visitors were able to reach a competitive 229-4 from their 50 overs.

Joe Lewis (2-71) was Denbigh's main wicket-taker, with Andy Clarke (1-26) and Alec Lewis (1-29) also claiming victims.

After tea, Denbigh will have been keen to witness a promising start to their response.

This is exactly what occurred, courtesy of an opening partnership of 96 compiled by Gerallt Lyall and Harrison Jones.

Lyall was the first Denbigh batsman to depart the crease for 27, however there were no real alarms at this stage for the home side, with Tom Schrimshaw joining Jones in the middle to take the score along to 147-1.

Jones was his side's leading scorer on the day with a brilliant knock of 82, while Schrimshaw was also an impressive figure with his knock of 38.

However, with only one other Denbigh batsman managing to reach double figures, the remainder of the afternoon belonged to Pwllheli.

They came roaring back to bag six wickets for just 35 runs.

Doing the bulk of the damage with the ball at the stage was fourth change bowler Owen Reilly (4-32).

Denbigh looked to respond and a 21-run stand for the eighth wicket looked to get them back on track.

Joe Clayton struck 10 as the home side aimed to recover from their slump and they still had a chance when they reached 201-7.

However, Denbigh proceeded to lose their last three wickets without the addition of any further runs, thanks to the intervention of Jason Underwood (3-26).

This meant that Denbigh were bundled out for 201 with more than four overs remaining.

When the dust had settled, Pwllheli claimed the majority of the points that were on offer in a 12-3 split.