MOCHDRE CRICKET CLUB

1ST X1 REPORTS & SCORESHEET

JUNE

JUNE 3rd MOCHDRE v PONTBLYDDYN

Mochdre 1st XI clung on to leadership of the North Wales League Division One despite suffering a narrow defeat by second placed Pontblyddyn at Black Marsh Field in Saturday's only first division game to beat the weather. The Pontblyddyn side, bristling with Flintshire county players, was put in to bat in a match reduced to 36 0vers a side. Despite a skillful display of seam bowling with a wet ball from Rob Stewart, 4 for 45 off 11 overs, Pontblyddyn posted a challenging 158 for 7 at the innings close. Opener Glen Chambers top scored with a stylish 58,and supporting contributions came from Mark Hughes and Phil Snell with 27 apiece. For Mochdre, medium pacer Phil Leeds returned 1 for 33 off 13, and off spinner Paul Colman 2 for 51 off 9. Mochdre's fielding was reassuringly sharp with two catches for Steve Jones and a stumping and catch for wicketkeeper Dafydd Rhys. In gloomy conditions and persistent drizzle, Mochdre made a valiant attempt to pass the Pontblyddyn total. Skipper Gareth Davies led the way with a sparkling 75, and although only all-rounder Rob Stewart, 12, reached double figures, Davies shared stands of 55 with Dafydd Rhys for the opening wicket and 42 with Phil Leeds for the fourth. Glen Chambers confirmed man of the match status with 3 for 19 off 13 overs as Mochdre were halted on 137 for 8.

JUNE 10th MOLD v MOCHDRE

"A bad toss to lose" was the verdict of Mochdre skipper Gareth Davies as his team stumbled to a seven wicket defeat on a rain affected Mold wicket in Division 1 of the North Wales League. Facing variable bounce and pace, Mochdre's opening partnership of Davies, 15, and Dafydd Rhys were sorely tested with just 19 runs coming off the first 19 overs. Rhys grafted his way to a gutsy 58 off 126 balls before being run out as Mochdre attempted to accelerate the rate. Despite useful contributions from Paul Owen, 26, and Phil Leeds, 21, the early dampness of the track was the crucial factor as the Mochdre innings closed on 138 for 6 off their 50 overs. Just one wicket apiece to each of the four Mold bowlers used was testament to the difficulty of scoring runs in contrast to crease occupation. A warm sun and drying wind turned the wicket from beast to belter by the time Mold were due to bat. Opener Lee Collins anchored the reply with an unbeaten 62, as the Mochdre seam attack struggled to make the breakthrough. Despite a mid innings wobble as the off-spin of Paul Colman, 2 for 44 off 13, removed two wickets in two balls, including the dangerous Brian Williams for a golden duck, smooth batting from Glen Scott, 33, and Danny Soothill, 32 not out, saw Mold comfortably to their target.

JUNE 17th MOCHDRE v BANGOR

Depleted Mochdre, fielding just five regular first teamers, extended their losing sequence to three with a comprehensive 114 run home defeat by Bangor in Division 1 of the North Wales League. Having elected to bat in blisteringly hot conditions, Bangor made a solid start as Nick Ellis, 34, and Eifion Parry, 19, added 42 for the first wicket. However, both were dismissed following the re-introduction to first team action of veteran left-arm spinner Bob Sugden, the pick of the Mochdre bowlers with 2 for 37 off 13 overs. Sugden also produced a champagne moment in the field, clinging on to a full-blooded drive from Roy Marshall, 16, as wickets fell steadily to Gareth Davies, 2 for 41, Phil Leeds, 2 for 54, and Rob Stewart, 1 for 39 off 13. Bangor's New Zealand professional Kerry Walmsley struck 36 off 28 balls in a late flourish, but the visitor's total of 182 did not appear insurmountable on another fine Mochdre wicket. For Mochdre to have a chance of victory much depended on classy openers Dafydd Rhys and Gareth Davies, and their early dismissal by seamer Graham Hemsworth, 3 for 8 off 7 overs, precipitated a gloomy procession of home batsmen to the pavilion. Second XI opener Alun Evans, with a determined 20, stemmed the tide temporarily, but only Rob Stewart, 10, offered double figure support. Spinners Pete Banham, 4 for 22, and Tom Evison 2 for 4, completed the rout as Mochdre were shot out for 68, a season's low.

JUNE 24th LLAY v MOCHDRE

A suspected broken toe suffered by key all-rounder Phil Leeds added injury to insult as Mochdre were put to the sword by Llay in Division 1 of the North Wales League. Put in to bat Mochdre struggled throughout to score runs against accurate Llay bowling. Steve Jones, 19, and Gareth Davies, 15, were each caught whilst attempting to pick up the pace, as seamers Damien Bryan, 2 for 15 off 11 overs, and Dave Phennah, 3 for 26 off 12, put Llay firmly in charge. In the middle order Alun Evans again top scored with 23, as, despite a defiant unbeaten 9 from tail-ender Clifton Robinson, Mochdre closed well short of a challenging total on 111 for 9. In the field, Mochdre suffered badly from the absence of the parsimonious (seek Mr Chris Jackson for an explanation) medium pace of Phil Leeds as Llay opener Mike Phennah, with a belligerent unbeaten 72 including a six and 7 fours, swung the match to Llay. Skipper Gareth Davies, 2 for 32 off 13, battled manfully but in vain as Llay cruised to a comfortable four-wicket vict ory.