AUSTRALIAN opener Sean Danaher led the charge as Denbigh made it a super Saturday to romp to their first victory of the season.

The men from Ystrad Road were handed a weekend North Wales Cricket League Premier Division trip to Hawarden Park and a fine unbeaten knock from Danaher ensured Denbigh came through the test with flying colours.

It was Hawarden Park who won the toss and the message back to the changing rooms was for the opening batsmen to don their pads.

Things didn’t initially go well for the home side and Jack Griffiths accounted for the wicket of opener Campbell Marr for a duck, aided by Joe Clayton’s catch.

Linton Terblanche (60), Jehan Yahathugoda (28) and David Hughes (24) set about repairing the situation for Hawarden Park, but the efforts of skipper Stuart Griffiths (3-40) and Joe Lewis (2-33) kept Denbigh in the box seat.

The visitors were also sharp in the field and a trio of run outs kept the pressure on Hawarden Park, who were eventually dismissed for 165 in the 46th over.

Sam Lewis instigated a couple of the run outs and he grabbed the other Park wicket to tumble.

Denbigh’s reply got off to a solid enough beginning with Gerallt Lyall and Danaher putting on 22 for the first wicket.

Lyall was the first batsman to depart for 11 when he was caught and bowled by Campbell Marr, but Danaher wasn’t for shifting.

He joined forces with number three batsman Sam Lewis to compile a match-winning second wicket partnership of 107.

Lewis’ contribution was a fine 41, before he was trapped leg before by Craig Wilson (3-24).

Danaher continued on his merry way and he finished up on 89 not out as Denbigh reached a winning 166-4 in the 37th over. 

Joe Clayton added 11 to the chase batting at number five and Denbigh claimed the bulk of the points in a 13-2 split.

More cricket news in this week's Free Press.