A DISAPPOINTING batting performance condemned Abergele to a four-wicket home loss at the hands of Ruthin.

Gele’s latest North Wales Cricket League Group C clash at Pentre Mawr Park brought little in the way of runs for either side, but the hosts gave themselves a mountain to climb after setting a target of 84 all out from 37 overs in the middle.

Skipper Karl Higgins and Sam Painter were out early on for six and a duck respectively, with opener Gareth Edwards failing to build on a promising start on his way to 17 from 30 deliveries.

Wicketkeeper Ben Garnett provided some resistance before he was eventually sent back to the pavilion on 26. This double-figure score was not matched by Lewis Tolond (5), Luke Sellars (9) or Wasim Ali (0), and the dangerous duo of David Moulson and Ed Rooney making seven apiece after finding life tough at the crease late in the innings.

Owen Lynam gave the home side some hope with the new ball by taking out the opening partnership of Dafydd Roberts (5) and Murray Whitehead (2) in quick succession, and the talented bowler also disposed of Rhys Hilditch (7) soon after to finish the day with figures of 3-21 from an impressive eight-over spell.

The game looked poised for a dramatic conclusion when Kyle Walker clean bowled Alistair Dodd (14) and Wasim Ali took the scalps of Harry Pooler (8) and Josh Duckworth (11), but an unbeaten knock of 22 from 64 deliveries from James Martin was enough to get the visitors over the line for the loss of six wickets after 26 overs of play.

The result leaves Abergele bottom of the Group C standings ahead of their next game at Marchwiel and Wrexham on Saturday.