Soaraway Bridge hoping to extend their clean sheet
LEADERS Menai Bridge will target a sixth straight victory in the North Wales Cricket League Premier Division this Saturday when they entertain Gresford at Tyn-y-Caeau.
Undefeated Bridge moved 32 points clear at the top last weekend with a victory at Northop which made it 12 matches without a loss for Dion Holden’s side since the season began.
By contrast, next opponents Gresford have lost four on the bounce and sit fourth from bottom.
Gethin Long claimed four victims with the ball and notched a half-century in Menai’s sevenwicket success at Northop.
The hosts opted to bat, but were soon in trouble at 30-4, Long taking all four wickets.
Then, at 54-6, Matthew Williams and Andy Poynton came together, putting on 122 for the seventh wicket. Poynton made 67 and Williams 59, helping the Flintshire side post a respectable 186, skipper Holden snaring 4-50 and Long 4-58 for the visitors.
Menai had few problems reaching the winning post, ending on 187-3 off 37.5 overs to seal a 13-2 triumph.
Luke Jones posted 64, Long 59 not out and Jack Gower 32. Jones featured in half-century stands with Gower and Long.
Champions Bangor crawled over the line in a competitive contest at Gresford.
The Wrexham side could only muster a vulnerable-looking 120 all out, Matthew Cree with 52, while for the citizens Jonny Wells pocketed 3-11, Chris Dawson 2-24, Matt Kelly 2-30 and Gareth Edwards 2-36.
Three early breakthroughs from Ryan Williams had Bangor 25-3 in response before David Winter (45) and Sion Evans (28) led the recovery.
The visitors eventually got home on 122-7 to wrap up an 11-4 verdict.
Bangor will go for a third straight win this Saturday when Northop are the visitors to Ty Newydd.
Bethesda remain top of the 1st XI First Division despite suffering a heavy home loss at the hands of Pontblyddyn.
Pesda decided to bat first, but apart from a good 69 from Nicholas Parry, the hosts were less than con- vincing in getting bowled out for 165.
Pont skipped to 166-2 in 39 overs to seal a 14-1 decision, Richard Lee Williams 2-35 for the losing team.
Peter Jones’s 72 not out was not enough to save Bangor seconds from defeat at home to Northop seconds in the 2nd XI Premier Division.
The citizens were limited to 167 all out and the Flintshire travellers reached 168-3 with relative ease in 36.3 overs, Jamie Camilleri 2-26.
Title-chasers Menai Bridge seconds dished out a 15-0 walloping to Buckley seconds at Tyn-y-Caeau.
Bucks set 191-6 in 45 overs, Liam Bibby 3-43 and Andrew Wannop 2-34. Bridge openers Josh Massey (107 no) and Cefyn Owen (66 no) then put on 194 in just 25.2 overs to secure a big win.
In the Sunday 3rd XI Division, Menai Bridge thirds emulated the seconds with a maximum points return.
Thomas Roberts hit 100 as the Anglesey side amassed 268-4 off 40 overs, Gareth Riley adding an unbeaten 82.
Doug Searle claimed 3-10 and Liam Stone 3-35 as Gele were rolled over for 135.
Saif Ijaz struck 101 no for Bangor thirds as they set 191-9, but visitors Mold thirds made it to 192-5 for a 12-3 triumph, Hugh Kelly 2-25.