Neyland are Bowl-ed over after victory

NEYLAND picked up the HarrisonAllen Bowl for the fourth time in seven years after beating Cresselly in their own backyard by 10 runs in the final.

After losing the toss and being put in, Neyland reached 153-8 off their first 22 overs in this two innings a side contest, with Nathan Banner top scoring with an unbeaten 46 while Ashley Sutton also contributed a useful 26 before he was unfortunately run out.

Cresselly, hoping to make use of home advantage, then took to the crease and remarkably made 153-9 off their allotted overs having raced to 48-0 early on in their innings. Adam Chandler top scored with 44.

Neyland then returned to the crease for their second 22 overs and, having been reduced to 16-3 early on, a century stand for the fourth wicket between man-of-the-match Paul Murray (83) and Nick Koomen (53) would ultimately prove to be a match and trophy winning one.

It helped steer them to 213-7 and meant Cresselly required 214 to win.

However Cresselly, beaten finalists in both 2014 and 2016, would suffer heartache once again as they finished just short on 203-8 in reply.

The victory for Neyland also followed up on wins in 2011, 2013 and 2015 and also avenged their defeat by Cresselly in the 2009 final. MENAI Bridge lost further ground at the top of the North Wales League Premier Division after a narrow onerun defeat against Gresford.

Gresford won the toss and decided to bat where they posted 158 before they were skittled out with Ashley Wood claiming stunning figures of 5-35.

Darren Williams led the way for Gresford with 51 while Jack Bunkell chipped in with 27.

In reply Arwel Thomas (38), Matt Bixby (28) and Robbie Jones (27) all helped last year’s runners-up Menai Bridge score 157-9 but they were unable to find the extra runs to seal victory.

Meanwhile, Llandudno’s defence of the title took another blow with a heavy 142-run defeat at Connah’s Quay.

Batting first, Connah’s Quay built up a strong lead through Darren Jones (53) and Martin Burger (51) as they finished on a huge 252-9.

Rhodri Morgan hit 34 in reply for Llandudno while Ethan Hill struck 21 but they were eventually skittled out on 110.

Those results meant it was a good weekend for leaders Bangor who extended their lead at the top with a 10-run win over Denbigh.