ST ASAPH 151

MENAI BRIDGE 243-7

A SUPERB knock from Gethin Long has helped Menai Bridge to place one hand on this season's North Wales Cricket League Premier Division title.

Long was not short in his scoring prowess as he cracked a superb 98 from just 69 deliveries to help the Anglesey side defeat hosts St Asaph, their closest rivals for the title.

On the back of Menai Bridge's 67-run success, they now hold a 33-point advantage at the top.

It was Menai Bridge who called correctly during the pre-match toss and they elected to make first use of the Elwy Grove Park batting track.

The Saints started the contest the better of the two sides, though, and they soon reduced their opponents to 29-2.

Robbie Jones (50) and Dion Holden (26) forged a recovery, but the match remained in the balance when the visitors reached 113-4.

Enter Gethin Long, though, and his powerful innings swung things in the visitors' favour.

He hit 11 fours and three sixes in guiding Menai Bridge beyond the 200-mark.

In the end, Menai Bridge's 50 overs yielded 243-7.

Danny Ryan (2-29), Richard Marsh Evans (2-50), David North (1-30) and Jason Foulkes (1-40) shared the wickets for the home side.

Rain meant that St Asaph wouldn't have to reach 244 in reply and their target was amended to 219 from 43 overs.

A few top order batsmen got decent enough starts, but nobody was able to go on and compile a match-winning tally.

Opener Nathanael Scott struck 29, with skipper Will Ryan hitting a run-a-ball 25 and Duncan Midgley made 14.

Jason Foulkes (24) and Danny Ryan (10) attempted to push the total along, but St Asaph were eventually dismissed for 151 in the 36th over.

Dion Holden (3-23), Gerallt Roberts (3-36) and Ashley Wood (3-56) were the pick of the Menai Bridge bowlers, while batting star Gethin Long picked up 1-18.

Menai Bridge claimed 13 of the 15 league points that were on offer.