High fives for Bridge
THE area’s two leading cricket teams occupy the top couple of places in the North Wales League Premier Division heading into this weekend.
Menai Bridge enjoy a 100 per cent record and an nine-point lead at the summit following a fifth straight win last Saturday, while Bangor lie second after their latest success.
This Saturday sees Bridge home to newly-promoted Chirk, while Bangor travel to Brymbo.
Last weekend saw a crucial 94 from skipper Dion Holden help ensure Menai recorded a narrow home win over Hawarden Park.
After winning the toss and electing to bat, leaders Bridge chalked up a challenging 238-8 off their 50 overs, Robbie Jones adding to Holden’s fine knock with an unbeaten 44, Arwel Thomas hitting 39.
For the Park, Campbell Marr stood out with figures of 5-66.
The visitors were struggling badly in reply before numbers eight and nine, Marr and Ian Martin, launched a thrilling counter attack.
Marr finished 66 not out and Martin struck 50, but vital late wickets from Gerallt Roberts ensured Hawarden ended up on 221-9.
Roberts was the bowling hero with 5-40 from 12 overs, spinner Ashley Wood proving economical with his 2-10 off 10.
Bridge were victorious by 11 points to four.
Bangor comfortably took the spoils by eight wickets at Connah’s Quay.
In a game reduced to 35 overs per side due to the weather, Quay set 1278, Wesley Gillam’s undefeated 47 bringing some respectability to the score.
Francois Mostert led the Citizens’ charge with 3-13 off eight overs.
The visitors made it to 133-2 in 32.1 overs, David Winter’s 75 not out the main feature in an emphatic 14-1 outcome.
In the 1st XI First Division, Bethesda ran out easy 14-1 winners at Abergele.
Carwyn L Williams collected 4-11 off eight overs as Pesda removed Gele for just 87 after asking them to bat.
Gareth V Edwards (2-19) and Michael Jennings (2-26) were also in the wickets.
Bethesda coasted to 90-1 in 22.1 overs, Williams 37 not out and captain Nicholas Parry 24no.
Menai Bridge whipped Hawarden Park by seven wickets in the 2nd XI Premier Division.
Daniel Surgey snared 6-21 and Dion Owen 2-9 as Park were sent packing for just 62, then Cefyn Owen hit 26 in Menai’s 65-3, securing a 13-2 verdict.
2nd XI West Division action saw Bangor wallop Conwy 15-0 after setting a daunting 248-4 off 40 overs, Matthew Williams 98, Aiden Kelly 35no and Syed Kaleem Aslam 31no.
Conwy were removed for just 96, Aslam taking 4-20.
Holyhead were no match for Caernarfon, going down 14-1 at Coed Helen.
The Cofis rattled up 220-5, Ian Morgan 116 not out, and Holyhead were limited to 142-8 (Dafydd Spens 59).