Pwll heroes go runs crazy!
WHAT a weekend for Pwllheli Cricket Club’s South African all-rounder Jason Underwood! The Springbok hit two huge centuries to guide his team to a double success in the North Wales Cricket League Premier Division.
Last season saw Underwood smash 842 runs at an average of 76.55 as Pwllheli finished second in the First Division to clinch promotion to the top flight.
And the former Western Province Cricket Association star has already amassed 366 runs for the Llyn club in just six matches this term at 91.50.
The good news for Pwllheli is Underwood is now UK-based and aspires to reside permanently over here in order to become a local player in future.
The right-hand top order bat and leg-break bowler began his heroics last Saturday as Pwll went completely runs crazy against visitors Connah’s Quay.
Put into bat, the hosts were 31-2 before Underwood and Morgan Murray-Williams con- cocted a club record stand of 310 for the third wicket.
Murray-Williams was unfortunately given out lbw on 99, but Underwood went on to score 199 not out from 142 deliveries, lashing 16 fours and 12 sixes. Pwllheli’s onslaught saw them finish on 362-3 off 50 overs.
Quay gave it a good go in reply, but at the close they were 274-8, Matt Redinger notching 109. Chris Moore claimed 2-56 and Syed Kaleem Aslam 2-69 for the hosts, who won 14-1.
On Bank Holiday Monday, Underwood was in the runs again as Pwllheli celebrated a superb win at St Asaph.
Pwll won the toss and elected to bat, chalking up 244-3 off 50 overs.
Underwood this time registered a score of 112 not out off 105 deliveries, striking 13 fours and three sixes. The overseas star shared in a third-wicket partnership of 157 with Chris Moore, who made a patient 79.
Saints are very strong at home and would have been fancied to reach their target of 245, but they were limited to 233-8 when the 50 overs were up.
Underwood collected 2-57 in an 11-4 Pwll- heli triumph which puts them fourth in the Premier standings. ● Caernarfon Cricket Club came down to earth with a bang last weekend when they were thrashed at St Asaph in the 2nd XI West Division.
The previous week, the Cofis had beaten a top side in Conwy, but felt the full force of the gulf in experience and resources as Saints took full points at Elwy Grove.
Losing the toss again, Caernarfon started strong in the field, restricting the home side to just two runs an over up to the drinks break.
But the lack of wickets began to show as Asaph pushed on to record 151-7, Andrew Pierce pick of the batters with 41. Prysor Aled nabbed 3-42 and Simon Davies 2-31 as the Cofis’ spin twins used the pristine wicket well.
Caernarfon’s batting could not match the Saints’ bowlers with David North stepping down from the first team where he has amassed more than 400 wickets in his 15 years’ experience of top division cricket.
Paceman North claimed 6-1 off 6.4 as the Cofis collapsed to 32 all out in just 12.4 overs. Only Ian Morgan (10) made double figures.