Llangoed prove too strong for Bro in cup
NORTH Wales Cricket Premier Division champions Bangor have received a massive boost ahead of the 2020 season after star youngster Owen Reilly agreed to stay on.
The talented teenager joined the set-up last year from Pwllheli and made an instant impact, playing a leading role in their title triumph in 2019.
Reilly opened the batting from the outset and averaged 32.46 from 18 innings that included a season best score of 64 not out against Denbigh.
He also opened the bowling despite his tender age, claiming 19 wickets at the expense of 22.58, which also saw Reilly claim his first ever five-wicket haul (5-26) in their encounter against Gresford.
This fine form has also caught the attention of national selectors, with Reilly part of the Wales Under-18 squad that participated in a series of T20 fixtures against English county opposition.
Reilly smashed five fours and one six on his way to an unbeaten 58 from just 61 deliveries in one game against Somerset.
The senior captain at Rydal Penrhos School in Colwyn Bay also earned a call-up to a Wales select XI that will test their skills against Marylebone Cricket Club at Lord’s later this year.
Bangor begin their title defence with a tricky looking trip to Elwy Grove Park for a fixture against St Asaph on April 18, before welcoming Pwllheli for their first home outing on April 25.
A crucial few weeks in May sees last season’s all-conquering side come up against Llandudno, rivals Menai Bridge, Mochdre, Gresford and Llay Welfare, which will go a long way to determining their title ambitions.
LLANGOED were in scintillating form as they reached the NWCFA Junior Cup’s last eight with a 4-1 home triumph over holders Bro Goronwy.
One of only three games in the North Wales region that survived the weather on Saturday saw the Gwynedd League rivals battle it out for a quarter-final berth in extreme conditions.
Both sides had good chances to open the scoring during the opening exchanges through Gwyn Hughes and Jac Thomas, who were both wasteful. The home side gradually began to take over proceedings and went ahead on 27 minutes when a Wayne Thomas free kick caught the wind and flew into the net to break the deadlock.
A defensive mix-up involving goalkeeper Jordan Edney and centre half Iwan Williams immediately following the restart presented Tom Zalot with a golden chance on 29 minutes, which he despatched with ease to double the hosts’ advantage.
This brought a strong response from Bro, who got themselves back into the tie just before the break when Thomas atoned for his earlier miss after taking advantage of a goalkeeping error to reduce the arrears with 37 on the clock.
After the interval saw the home side tighten their grip on the tie when a poor kick from Edney dropped into the path of Arwyn Morris on 53 minutes, who rifled a powerful effort past the Bro stopper to restore their two-goal cushion.
Llangoed were now fully in the ascendancy and they made their pressure count to round off the scoring on the hour mark thanks to a fine header from Sam Gregson.
Both sides return to Gwynedd League action next weekend, weather permitting. Llangoed travel to Llanystumdwy while Bro Goronwy host leaders Bangor 1876.
NWCFA Junior Cup quarter-final draw: Mountain Rangers or Talysarn Celts vs Arriva Bangor or Menai Bridge Tigers; Abergele or Caergybi vs Llangoed; Rhos United or Llansannan vs Llandudno Amateurs Reserves or Trearddur Bay Bulls; Nefyn United or Llysfaen vs Bangor 1876.