LLANGOLLEN 152

LLANDUDNO 2NDS 182-7

THE clash of the Llans failed to go in favour of the side from Tower Fields.

Ahead of their home clash with Llandudno 2nds, Llangollen still had their eyes on putting together a promotion push from Division Four of the North Wales Cricket League.

However, these hopes now appear to be at an end for the Dee Valley side on the back of their 30-run defeat.

Llandudno won the toss and they elected to bat first.

Llangollen enjoyed a bright start to the encounter and they grabbed a number of early wickets.

Richard Hughes was in excellent form early on, claiming the wickets of Llandudno skipper David Barlow (14) and Ryan Bean.

Hughes would finish up with a hugely economical 2-13 return from his nine overs.

Also among the wickets early on was Kamran Hassan (1-30), who secured the wicket of opener Jack Thornton for 11.

As Llangollen's decent start continued, Bryn Sheppard grabbed the wickets of Oliver Hughes and Dan Jones cheaply.

However, the innings of number four batsman Alex Owen turned things in Llandudno's favour.

Owen hit a superb 63 as the visitors clawed their way back into the encounter.

He was offered good support by number seven batsman Jake Sumbland, who finished up on 34 not out at the end of the innings.

Other good efforts were supplied by Lucas Hughes (13) and Toby Jones (11 not out) as Llandudno's 40 overs yielded a competitive 182-7.

Bryn Sheppard was the pick of the Llangollen attack and he ended up with a 3-49 return from his nine overs.

There was also a wicket for Tom King (1-31).

A number of Llangollen batsman enjoyed decent starts after tea, but nobody was able to push on and compile a match-winning innings.

At the top of the order, skipper Tom King (24), Bryn Sheppard (18) and Kamran Hassan (17) got things off to a solid enough start from the home side's perspective.

At this stage, Oliver Hughes (3-22) and Jake Sumbland (2-49) were able to keep things in check.

Gethin Williams led the charge in the middle order for Llangollen and he top scored with 32.

Support was offered by the likes of Richard Hughes (13) and Craig Roberts (12).

However, the ball remained mightier than the bat as Llangollen were eventually bowled out for 152 with three overs of their innings remaining.

Jack Thornton (2-34), David Barlow (1-5) and Stuart Hughes (1-28) were in good form with the ball for the visiting side.

When the dust had settled, Llandudno took 12 points, while Llangollen were left to pick up three points.