Williams more than happy to tackle TNS
PENYGROES hauled themselves into the North Wales Coast League Division D title race by thrashing previous leaders Trefnant 10-2 last Saturday.
Tom Parry was the star bowler for the hosts with a 21-4 card, Gareth Gillard also doing well on 21-9.
The top three placings in Division D now stand, with just a handful of games apiece remaining: Llanrwst 14-105, Trefnant 13-104 and Penygroes 13-98.
In Division A, it was a day to forget for Blaenau Ffestiniog as they crashed 10-2 at Colwyn Bay Legion.
One-time leaders Blaenau are now down to seventh, Stephen Jones, with a match-best result of 21-6, and David Wyn Hughes (21-13) their only winners at the Legion.
Caernarfon’s less than impressive season in Division B also gathered gloom as they slumped 10-2 at Denbigh A.
Alan Evans (21-13) and Dafydd Rhys Williams (21-17) provided scant consolation for the Cofis. ● Criccieth kept their title hopes alive in the Anglesey and District League after beating leaders Bangor 7-3 on Monday.
Pairs Judith Garnett and Elfed Jones (21-5) and Jane Chapman (21-8) shone brightest for the hosts, who are now six points behind the Citizens with five matches apiece still to play.
Penygroes are third and bang in contention after an 8-2 triumph at Academi Llanfair.
Dion Williams (21-8) and Gareth Gillard (21-9) were the main stars for the visitors, who are eight points adrift of Bangor but have two games in hand on them and Criccieth.
Caernarfon went down 7-3 at home to Benllech, Lee Davitt 21-12 for the Cofis.
Last Tuesday (July 19) saw Penygroes play one of their matches in hand – a 5-5 draw at Llanfairpwll.
Penygroes won 5-3 on games but lost the aggregates by six chalks.
Ken Frazer topped the away chart with a 221-8 result. ● Gwynedd Seniors League results (July 19):
Div A: Llandudno B 9 Benllech 0; Craig-y-Don 7 Beaumaris A 2; Llanrwst 7 Criccieth 2 (Dafydd Hughes 21-7); Bethesda A 4 Conwy 5.
Div B: Dinas 7 (Tom Parry 21-4) Llanfairfechan 2.
CAERNARFON Town manager Iwan Williams insists he has no qualms about taking on Welsh Premier League champions The New Saints this weekend, six days after the Canaries were thrashed 5-0 at home by top-flight Bala Town.
The Cofis will welcome TNS to The Oval on Friday night (7.30pm kick-off ) and will be looking to wipe out some of the memories of that heavy loss to Europa League entrants Bala.
Caernarfon have performed well against the Saints in recent times, having beaten them 3-2 in a friendly a year ago, nine months after a 3-2 reverse versus the full-timers in a now famous Welsh Cup clash at The Oval.
Canaries boss Williams said: “Friday night promises to be another great occasion for everyone at the club as we welcome The New Saints to our ground.
“Some people might question why I’d agree to bring them down to The Oval after our performance against Bala. However, the people who know me know I’m not one to shirk a challenge, and that’s the type of characteristic I will always look to build my squads around.
“Bala were outstanding and the difference in fitness and sharpness was something we struggled to cope with.
“Having said that, they have been training for weeks and competed strongly in the Europa League.
“That doesn’t mean I’m trying to make excuses about the result, because if I tried to do that then a friendly against the reigning back-toback Welsh treble-winners is something I wouldn’t have agreed to.”
Williams added: “For the second half of last season we dominated most, if not all the games, so for us to experience what we did on Saturday can only be a good thing as we need to learn how to deal with adversity – me included.
“I hate losing regardless of whether it’s a friendly or a competitive match, and I know the squad will be hurting also.
“I must stress though that nothing is won in pre-season and it’s about picking up invaluable minutes to regain fitness, and we’re doing that.
“I have a good relationship with Craig Harrison, Scott Ruscoe and especially Carl Darlington at TNS and I’m thankful that they’re coming down as part of their pre-season programme for the second consecutive year.
“We beat them last time round so I’m sure they’ll want to avenge that defeat, which means we will have to improve on Saturday’s performance if we are to compete.”
Caernarfon were looking to bounce back from the Bala defeat as they were due to entertain Llanberis of the Welsh Alliance last night (Tuesday).
Last Saturday’s friendly saw Colin Caton’s Bala surge into a four-goal lead by the interval, David Thompson and Mike Hayes scoring two apiece.
Right at the start of the second half, the Lakesiders went five up when Stuart Jones was left free to head into the top corner of the net.