ST ASAPH 192-8

LLANDUDNO 98

WHAT a way to start the new cricket season.

St Asaph made their intentions clear as they opened their North Wales Cricket League Premier Division campaign with a thumping win over Llandudno.

The Saints appeared to be in a spot of bother when they were reduced to 139-7 batting first, but a fine eighth wicket partnership took their tally close to the 200 mark and this proved to be more than sufficient to secure their opening day success.

It was Llandudno skipper Jack Rimmington who won the toss and his message back to the changing rooms was for the visitors' opening bowlers to get themselves warmed up.

The visitors enjoyed a bright start to proceedings, claiming the wickets of openers Duncan Midgley and Mathew Ryan (12) to reduce St Asaph to 26-2.

A 44-run stand for the third wicket improved the home side's chances, but this was brought to an end when skipper Will Ryan departed for 19.

Despite a fine knock of 58 from Nathanael Scott, the Saints had some concerns when they were reduced to 139-7.

However, the situation was greatly improved by a 45-run partnership for the eighth wicket between Jason Foulkes and David North.

Foulkes would eventually depart for an excellent 42, while North ended up undefeated on 28.

By the time the 50 overs were up, the home side had made a competitive 192-8.

Matthew Jones (4-51) and Danial Evans (3-47) were the pick of the Llandudno bowlers.

The visitors will have been keen to begin their batting response in positive fashion, but the St Asaph attack quickly gained the upper hand.

Matthew Jones (20) was the only top order batsman to reach double figures as Llandudno stuttered to 23-3 and 48-5.

Doing the damage with the ball at this point of the proceedings were Foulkes, North (1-9) and Richard Marsh Evans (2-27).

Despite decent lower order efforts from Kevin James (13) and Ethan Hill (11), Llandudno never seriously threatened to reach their victory target and they found themselves being bowled out for just 98 in the 38th over.

Foulkes finished up with a 3-24 haul from his 10 overs, well supported by the likes of Duncan Midgley (2-9) and Paul Fleming (2-24).

Showing how consistent the bowlers were, no fewer than five of the wickets were lbw.

St Asaph would claim 14 of the 15 points that were on offer, placing them third in the standings behind Bangor and Menai Bridge.