ST ASAPH 248-5

NORTHOP 98

ST ASAPH will be disappointed that the North Wales Cricket League Premier Division season has come to an end.

The Saints have concluded their campaign by securing three maximum points victories on the bounce.

The latest of these came as they swept aside the challenge of visitors Northop over the weekend.

St Asaph made first use of the Elwy Grove Park batting track after winning the toss and what a sound decision this turned out to be.

What a few weeks it has been for skipper Will Ryan.

With a century and half-century during the previous fortnight, Ryan maintained his superb form with his knock of 71.

He was involved in a 46-run partnership for the first wicket with Mathew Ryan (21) and then added 45 runs for the third wicket with Daniel Williams.

The biggest partnership of the innings was put together by Jason Foulkes and Danny Ryan.

They put together a stand of 83 for the fifth wicket.

This came to an end when Foulkes was dismissed for a fine 51 from 60 deliveries.

Remaining at the crease was Danny Ryan, who smashed 56 not out from just 32 deliveries.

All of this meant that St Asaph made an imposing 248-5 from their 50 overs at the crease.

Northop's star bowler turned out to be Ammar Mahmood, who bagged 2-45 in his 12 overs.

The Flintshire visitors will have been looking for a positive start to their response, but St Asaph's bowlers quickly had their opponents under pressure.

Rapidly, Northop were reduced to a perilous 4-3, with three of the top four batsmen departing for ducks.

Gareth Williams (31), Danny Nicholson (19 not out) and Bart Ryan-Beswick (12) did attempt to rescue the situation, but Northop eventually found themselves being bowled out for 98 in the 28th over.

Doing the damage with the ball for St Asaph were David North (4-23), Richard Marsh Evans (3-25) and Liam Moores (3-35).

Bowling straight certainly did the trick for the Saints, with four of the wickets being adjudged leg before and the home side were able to gather all of the 15 points that were on offer.