CARMEL 203-7

RUTHIN 94

A TOP-of-the-table reverse means that Ruthin's promotion hopes are hanging by a thread.

Victory at the weekend would have moved the side from Memorial Park Fields closer to North Wales Cricket League Division Two leaders Gwersyllt Park.

However, Ruthin instead suffered a heavy 109-run reverse during their trip to fellow high-flyers Carmel.

As a result of the outcome, third-placed Ruthin trail Gwersyllt Park by 23 points in the race to go up and they have four matches left to play.

Ruthin skipper Rhys Hilditch won the toss and the message back to the changing room was for the opening bowlers to get themselves warmed up.

Although the bulk of the home top and middle order struggled to get going, opener Dafydd Bailey held the Carmel innings together.

He top scored with a superb knock of 72, helping the Flintshire side to realise a competitive 203-7 from their 45 overs.

Nick Washbrook (31 not out) and Ryan Roberts (24 not out) helped the home side to edge beyond the 200 mark.

Sharing the wickets for Ruthin were Matthew Duckworth (2-24), Sion Hughes (2-37), Josh Duckworth (2-38) and Duncan Roberts (1-29).

After tea, a number of Ruthin batsmen enjoyed decent starts to their innings, but nobody could go forward to complete a match-winning total.

Ifan Hanifa top scored with an unbeaten 25 batting at number eight, supported later in the innings by Rhys Hilditch (15) and Sandeep Anantharaman (10).

Earlier in the innings, Murray Whitehead (11), Dafydd Roberts (10) and Duncan Roberts (10) were the chief scorers.

However, good displays from Oliver Saynor (3-28), Barry McGauty (2-15) and Jack Whitehouse (2-20) ensured Ruthin were bowled out for 94 in the 35th over.