1ST X1 MATCH REPORTS JUNE
SPONSORED BY
PRETTY PINE COMPANY, COLWYN BAY
Sat 5th June - Mochdre v Gresford
Mochdre made hard work of beating third-from-bottom Gresford by just 12 runs to stay in the top five in division one. They were thankful that Gresford's fielders dropped seven catches to help them reach 143 for 8 off their 45 overs. A third wicket stand of 50 off 17 overs between opener Steve Jones (27) and Phil Patel (29) provided the main substance of the innings, before Phil Leeds added 22 off 22 balls and Gareth Colman 18, also at a run a ball, to boost the latter order. Ian Giddings took 4 for 43 off 15 overs for Gresford.
Dropped catches were also a feature of the Gresfors reply, with a further five being spilled by Mochdre, and paceman Rob Stewart was unlucky to have both openers missed in an excellent spell of 0 for 20 off nine overs. Gresford's innings was anchored by allrounder Ian Giddings with 49 off 74 balls, but with the only meaningful support coming from G. Rowands (25), Gresford had the heart of their batting whittled out by G. Davies (3 for 32) and P. Leeds (3 for 32). In the end Gresford finished 12 runs short on 131 for 9.
Sat 12th June - Gwersyllt v Mochdre
What a difference a drop makes was the refrain in the Mochdre dressing room following their 10 wicket hammering by Gwersyllt - or more specifically Indian professional Dev Ghandi - in division 1. Mochdre were indebted to pace bowler Rob Stewart whose robust 45 not out off 37 balls batting at 9 in the order, was the major contribution as they struggled to 142 for 8 off their 45 overs. Phil Leeds patient 26 before being run out helped Mochdre from a parlous 77 for 7, with the only other double figure contributions from opener Dafydd Rhys, 19, and all-rounder Paul Colman, 17. P. Hockridge with 5 for 34 was the main Gwersyllt wicket taker, but Ghandi played his part in applying the pressure to return 2 for 35.
Peaceful co-existence was the last thing on Ghandi's mind as he took the Mochdre attack apart with controlled belligerence scoring 119 not out off 64 balls. Stewart was the unlucky bowler seeing Ghandi dropped when he had scored but 26. C. Lloyd with 22 not out provided the required support for Ghandi whilst P. Leeds, conceding just 26 from his 8 overs was the most economical Mochdre bowler.
Sat 19th June - Mochdre v Brymbo
Mochdre are habitual under performers against Brymbo and Saturday's game at Black Marsh Field proved to be no exception against the league leaders in Division 1. Having elected to bat Mochdre certainly had their opportunities, five batsmen reaching the twenties but none progressing further. Richard Jones, 24, and Gareth Davies, 23, saw the home side off to a reasonable start and further useful contributions came from Dafydd Rhys, 21, and Paul Owen, 28. For once this season the lower middle order missed out and despite battling knocks from Paul Colman, 22, and Colin Midgeley, 12, Mochdre could only total a disappointing 151 all out. Yet again, a dropped catch proved vital as Denbighshire opener Stewart Williams was dropped without scoring. He then progressed to 69 not out as, supported by Phil Lloyd, 46 not out, Brymbo cruised to a nine wicket victory. Mochdre skipper Gareth Davies utilised seven bowlers but only off-spinner Paul Colman had success picking up the prize scalp of Nigel Roberts in his 1 for 22 off 5 overs.
Sat 26th June - Bangor v Mochdre
A return to batting form by skipper Gareth Davies was not enough to save Mochdre from a third successive defeat away to Bangor. Opening the innings Davies scored a superb 90 off 130 balls out of Mochdre's total of 182 for 8 off their 45 overs, including an excellent stand of 78 for the third wicket with Phil Leeds, 33. Unfortunately only all-rounder Paul Colman with a brisk 29 not out made an impression amongst the later order as wickets fell steadily to off-spinner Tom Evison, 4 for 74, and seamer Andy Williams, 3 for 31. Bangor skipper Dave Wallace was the lynchpin of their reply, holding the innings together with a chanceless 80 not out. With the score on 73 for 3 at the half-way stage Mochdre were in with a reasonable chance even allowing for the arrival at the crease of Zimbabwe test player Andy Flower. However, dropped catches are becoming the story of Mochdre's season and Flower had scored just 8 when a simple chance was spilled, paceman Rob Stewart the unlucky bowler. He then made Mochdre pay with a hard hit 58 off 47 balls - more than enough to swing the game Bangor's way as they eased home for the loss of 5 wickets with four overs to spare. Gareth Davies snapped up 3 for 49 to complete a good personal return for the day, but will be looking for a better team return with the bat and in the field if Mochdre are to pull away from the relegation zone.