Pwllheli must bounce back
PWLLHELI Cricket Club’s recent upsurge in form came to an abrupt end last Saturday when they suffered a maximum points loss at home to league leaders Llandudno.
That result left the Llŷn side rock bottom of the North Wales Premier Division and now needing a big improvement when they host Llanrwst at Parc Bodegroes this Saturday (1pm).
Last weekend’s loss to table-toppers Tudno could hardly have been more emphatic.
The visitors won the toss and elected to bat, openers Danial Evans (83 off as many balls) and Robin Smith (57) putting on 100 exactly.
Llan dipped to 175-6, but then a seventh-wicket stand of 54 between Ajay Dhawan (33) and Rhydian Morgan (30 no) helped Tudno set 250-9 off their 50 overs.
Skipper Morgan Murray-Williams was Pwll’s best bowler, picking up 4-53 off nine overs, Michael Hughes taking 2-46 from 12.
Pwllheli were 49-1 in reply before Llandudno’s 14-year-old off-spinner Matthew Jones struck a crucial double blow, having Greg Munro (27) and Murray-Williams (22) both caught behind.
Munro, who was top run-getter in the league before Saturday, and Murray-Williams had been vital to Pwll’s distant hope of success.
After their departures the innings folded to 101 all out, teenage sensation Jones scooping a senior careerbest 7-32.
Pwllheli now have six games remaining to save their Premier Division status and while the task is far beyond them, they need to regain a winning momentum.
● There was better news for Pwllheli in the shape of the seconds, who won a remarkable game at St Asaph last Saturday.
Only one wicket was lost in the entire match – a rare occurrence indeed.
Saints won the toss and chose to bat, posting 154 without loss off their 40 overs, Mark Dine 79 not out and David Lloyd 65 no.
Pwllheli then reached 158-1 off just 31.5 overs to seal a 14-1 points triumph.
Neil Williams was the star for the visitors, ending up 95 not out and sharing in a match-winning century stand with skipper Rhys Griffiths (36 no).
The win edged Pwllheli up to sixth in the 10-team 2nd XI West Division.