NORTHOP 215-8

ST ASAPH 185

A COLLAPSE of epic proportions saw St Asaph fall to a rare North Wales Cricket League defeat.

Targeting another victory to keep the pressure on Premier Division leaders Menai Bridge, the Saints instead fell to a fourth loss of the summer during their trip to Northop.

An eighth victory of the season appeared to be within St Asaph's grasp when they reached 179-4, needing to score 216 to overhaul their hosts.

Time was also on St Asaph's side and with 37 runs required, they still had 12 overs left to bat.

However, the intervention of Bart Ryan-Beswick turned the match on its head and St Asaph lost their last six wickets for only six runs to slump to defeat.

Northop won the toss and elected to bat first on a warm day.

Ben Beaver (40) and Tom Blackwell (35) got the innings off to a solid start.

However, Andrew Bellis (4-41) played a central role as Northop were reduced to 130-6.

Northop managed to reach 215-8 from their 50 overs, thanks in the main to a quickfire 36 not out from Bart Ryan-Beswick.

St Asaph's other wicket takers were Jason Foulkes (1-36), Mathew Ryan (1-38) and David North (1-51).

The Saints' reply got off to a terrific start, with Mathew Ryan (26) and Nathanael Scott putting together an opening stand of 79.

Scott continued on his merry way and he would reach 64 by the time he was out, with 123 on the board.

Other good knocks from Will Ryan (32), Paul Fleming (26) and Jason Foulkes (15) were seemingly helping St Asaph to a comfortable success, but Northop - and Bart Ryan-Beswick - had other ideas.

The Saints slumped from 179-4 to 180-9, with Bart-Beswick finishing up on 6-18.

They would eventually be dismissed for 185 in the 45th over, with Northop grabbed 12 of the 15 league points on offer.