MOLD 220-6

RUTHIN 94

LOCAL bragging rights belong to the players from Mold.

Ruthin made the relatively short Saturday trip to Mold in their latest North Wales Cricket League Division One match.

However, it wasn't the best of days for the Memorial Park Fields outfit, who experienced a maximum points loss during the afternoon.

It promises to be a nervy conclusion to the campaign for Ruthin, who find themselves 14 points clear of second-from-bottom Abergele with just three games left to play.

Turning attention back to Saturday's encounter and Mold elected to make first use of the batting track after they won the toss.

This turned out to be a sound decision as they enjoyed a bright start to proceedings.

Openers George Deniz and Ewan Hill were in good form to compile a first wicket stand of 75.

This would eventually draw to a halt when Deniz was caught by Jac Evans off the bowling of Llyr Williams for 40.

There were solid efforts throughout the Mold line-up, with John Crane (40), Hill (36), Duane Williams (29) and Richard Deniz all contributing as the hosts reached 220-6 in 50 overs.

The top performer with the ball from Ruthin's perspective was Duncan Roberts (3-51), with wickets also going to Llyr Williams (2-38) and Jac Evans (1-56).

A number of Ruthin batsmen got decent starts after tea, but nobody was able to push on and contribute a match-winning innings.

Skipper Rhys Hilditch (25), Duncan Roberts (15), Michael Parton (12), Josh Duckworth (10) and Harry Pooler (10) all reached double figures.

However, the displays of John Crane (5-22) and Keith Embleton (4-31) made sure that Ruthin were bowled out for 94 in 28 overs.