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THE battle of top-versus-bottom in Division Two ended up closer than many people anticipated.

Basement side Ruthin travelled to Division Two leaders Bangor on Saturday hoping for a better batting performance which let them down the previous week.

The home side won the toss and elected to bat first on a decent batting track.

A quick shower before the start meant the game was reduced to 40 overs each side and Jamie Hulse broke through in the first over as Ruthin piled on early pressure in the field with the home batsmen struggling to make runs.

John Tudor was unlucky not to take more than one wicket during his economical spell, with at least half-a-dozen chances dropping in between fielders.

Owen Hughes bowled tidily, grabbing a couple of wickets, but the home side accelerated well with the bat towards the end of their innings with wickets in hand, finally finishing on 178-6.

The visitors were determined not to throw any needless early wickets away in their run chase.

Steve Bryan Jones (90) was in magnificent touch with the bat, and but for the run rate required, would surely have crossed the line for a well-deserved century.

However, the early caution played a part in Ruthin's defeat with the middle order needing more than 80 runs from their last 10 overs.

Gwern Llwyd-Owain batted beautifully, but was run out for 15 trying to push the rate from the reduced overs.

John Tudor came in for a quickfire 21 not out at the end, but didn't quite have enough time to push Ruthin over the finishing line with another 10 agonising runs still required.

Rhys Hughes' experience saw Ruthin through to a valuable fourth point, leaving the visitors wondering what could have been at Ty Newydd over the weekend.

Bangor's victory puts them on top of the table, leaving Ruthin three points from safety but the close match gave them renewed confidence in their batting.

*Match ball sponsor: HT Hughes Sawmills, Caerwys.


WILL RUTHIN STILL BE PLAYING DIVISION TWO CRICKET IN 2009?
SEND US YOUR COMMENTS BELOW.