Cofis on track for promotion as Pwll slip in title chase
CAERNARFON stayed on the promotion trail with a narrow win last weekend, but there was a nasty surprise for Pwllheli as they suffered a blow to their promotion hopes.
The Cofis, third in North Wales League Division Two West but with games in hand on the teams above them, edged a three-wicket verdict over Dolgellau 2nds at Coed Helen Recreation Ground.
Put into bat by their hosts, Dol were bowled out for just 94 in 39.2 overs, opener and skipper Richard Rees carrying his bat for an unbeaten 36.
Home captain Simon Davis ripped the heart out of the middle order with 4-11 off eight overs, while Prysor Aled nabbed 3-11 with Ian Morgan, Llyr Erddyn Davies and Jonathan Peris-Jones claiming a wicket apiece.
Caernarfon’s reply did not start well at all with openers Huw Erddyn Davies and Jason Parry departing for 0 and 4 respectively.
With Grant Peisley and Rhodri Owen also going cheaply, it needed a match-turning 33 from PerisJones in the middle to steady the ship.
Prysor Aled added 19 not out and Morgan 17 as the home team reached 97-7 off 31.4 overs to seal an 11-4 outcome.
This Saturday sees Caernarfon travel to second-placed Conwy 2nds for a real crunch clash, while bottom side Pwllheli 2nds, who did not play last weekend, face a visit to Abergele in a bid to break their duck after 10 straight losses.
Pwllheli needed a win at Conwy in the 1st XI First Division to keep the pressure on table-topping Northop, but things did not go according to the script at Bodlondeb.
Pwll were put into bat by next-tobottom Conwy and soon lost opener Craig Edwards and Chris Moore with just eight runs on the board.
Morgan Murray-Williams (26) and the previous weekend’s century-making hero Jason Underwood (37) brought some stability to the innings with a third-wicket stand of 73.
But after both fell in quick succession, the visitors slumped to a concerning 102-6.
Nicholas Butterworth (32) and some runs down the order by Sean Reilly (18) and Syed Kaleem Aslam (12) made things more respectable, and with 32 extras racked up the away effort ended on 173 all out, Shaun Davies 3-27 off 12 overs for the home team.
Davies proved quite the hero, as when Conwy batted he struck an unbeaten 89.
Captain Rajjenu Britto (25) and Lewis Jones (16) also played their part as the underdogs reached 175-5 off 48.2 overs for a 12-3 decision.
Aslam picked up 2-21 and Mur- ray-Williams 2-31 for Pwll’s sevenman attack, but they were unable to prevent slipping to a third defeat of the season against 11 victories and a cancellation.
Pwllheli are now 26 points adrift of Northop, who have a perfect 15-0 record, but the Llŷn side still look solid in the second promotion place with a 33-point advantage over Dolgellau in third.
Michael Hughes’ side will be eager to return to winning ways this Saturday when they host Mold at Parc Bodegroes.
Pwllheli’s rivals Northop face a tough visit to Dolgellau.