DENBIGH 190-3

LLANDUDNO 189-7

JUST one more win win make sure Denbigh secure a top-four finish in the Premier Division of the North Wales Cricket League.

The Ystrad Road side climbed into the top-four over the weekend thanks to a comfortable success at home to Llandudno, who stood fourth prior to the contest.

With one match left to play this season, 10 more points will prove sufficient for Denbigh to finish up in fourth position.

There was a solid start to proceedings after Llandudno skipper Jack Rimmington won the toss and took the bat first option.

Openers Sam Rimmington and Dan Evans set the ball rolling in bright fashion for the visitors courtesy of a 53-run stand for the first wicket.

This partnership drew to a close when Stuart Griffiths dismissed Rimmington caught and bowled for 21.

Evans would depart the crease soon after for 26, when he was bowled by Alec Lewis and when the same bowler accounted for the wicket of Luke Kenworthy, Llandudno were reduced to 91-3.

The visitors' innings was placed back on track via a 57-run partnership for the fourth wicket, compiled by Will Sissons and Kevin James.

The dismissal of Sissons for 42, by home captain Harrison Jones, brought the partnership to an end.

James turned out to be the top scorer with his knock of 47 and with Ajay Dhawan hitting 19 late on, Llandudno's 50 overs yielded a competitive 189-7.

Denbigh's main wicket taker was Harrison Jones, who would finish up with a 3-40 return from nine overs.

Alec Lewis (2-21), Stuart Griffiths (1-19) and Jon Eccles (1-19) also claimed wickets.

After tea, there was a solid start to Denbigh's response.

The reliable Gerallt Lyall and Harrison Jones put together a first wicket partnership of 28 and this drew to a halt when the latter was dismissed by Jack Rimmington for 18.

With the team total on 44, Lyall was out for 11.

Tom Schrimshaw and Stuart Griffiths then put together a 30-run stand for the fourth wicket.

This came to an end when Griffiths was sent packing by Jack Thornton.

With the total on 74-3, the match was in the balance, but there would be no further bright spots for Llandudno.

That's because Schrimshaw and the in-form Andy Clarke put together a brilliant unbroken partnership of 116 for the fourth wicket to see Denbigh through to victory.

Schrimshaw top scored with a superb 85 not out, while Clarke followed up his maiden century seven days earlier with a run-a-ball 49 not out.

Denbigh reached a winning 190-3 with more than 12 overs to spare, claiming a 13-2 points victory in the process.