LLANGOLLEN 206

MYNYDD ISA 287-4

IT'S so easy to lose your focus when you need close to 200 to just pick up a solitary North Wales Cricket League point.

However, Llangollen were in determined form over the weekend to make sure they picked up something from their efforts versus Mynydd Isa.

The early portion of the afternoon turned into being a testing one for the side from Tower Fields.

After making the correct decision to bat first, Mynydd Isa scored in excess of a run-a-ball to reach an impressive 287-4 from their 45 overs.

Leading the run-scoring stakes was opener Danny Sprake with 100, superbly supported by the likes of captain Paul Kearney (74 not out) and Carl Jutson (35).

The Llangollen bowlers sent down a mammoth 34 wides and the pick of the attack turned out to be Richard Hughes (2-29) and Harry Paton (2-59).

Faced with such a large victory target, it's to Llangollen's great credit that they didn't fold after tea.

The majority of the top order reached double figures and a number of batsmen made big contributions.

Cementing a man of the match performance for the hosts was Richard Hughes, who top scored with a sparkling 92.

Vital support came from the direction of Jordan Mash (33) and Harry Paton (33), while there were also decent starts from opener Arthur Jenkins (12) and Geraint Wyn Jones (16).

Added together, this meant that 10-man Llangollen responded with 206 all out in 40 overs to secure one league point.

Danny Sprake was the visitors' man of the match and he followed up his earlier century by claiming 4-11 with the ball.

There were also wickets for Matty Blunden (2-29), David Brilley (1-39) and Tim Brockley (1-44).