1ST X1 MATCH REPORTS AUG & SEPT

Saturday 7th August

Mochdre's travails continued on Saturday with a 29 run defeat by fellow strugglers Bethesda at Parc Villa in their vital relegation clash in Division 1 of the North Wales League. The unpalatable prospect of second division cricket now looms large for this friendly club with its superb playing and social facilities. It is vital that its talented squad of players digs deep into skill, effort and loyalty reserves to support whole-hearted skipper Gareth Davies. Saturday saw another "what might have been" game as hostile seam bowling from Rob Stewart, 3 for 26 off 10 overs, helped to reduce Bethesda to 85 for 7 off 30 overs. The game was turned by the home side's wicket-keeper and No 9 batsman Dewi Roberts, who cracked an unbeaten 54 off 50 balls and was particularly harsh on the normally parsimonious Phil Leeds, 3 for 76 off 16. Together with Kevin Williams, 43, Roberts added a crucial 75 for the eighth wicket, taking Bethesda to the relative comfort of 165 for 8 of their 45 overs. Gareth Davies persevered for 2 for 58 off 19 overs and Dafydd Rhys shrugged off the years in the outfield with three fine catches behind the stumps. Mochdre's batting shone fitfully with useful contributions from Dafydd Rhys, 30, Oliver Tiernay, 25, and Gareth Davies, 22. However their weakened batting line up was ravaged by Huw Redvers Jones, 6 for 62 off 17, supported by Richard Owen, 2 for 13, and Wayne Eccles, 2 for 31. Man of the match Dewi Roberts completed a fine individual performance with five victims behind the sticks including two stumpings as Mochdre were finally bundled out for 136.

Saturday 14th August

Injury, illness and holiday absence deprived Mochdre of half of the first team squad for their visit to league leaders Brymbo in Division 1 of the North Wales League. Unsurprisingly the result was a comprehensive nine-wicket defeat and a place in the relegation zone for depleted Mochdre. Batting first in a match reduced by the weather to 40 overs a side, Mochdre were heavily reliant on skipper Gareth Davies if Brymbo were to be set a challenging total. Despite a steady start Davies fell for 22 when trying to accelerate the scoring, and Phil Leeds, 25, also succumbed whilst trying to pick up the pace. With the exception of opener Steve Jones, who ground out 28 through 37 overs, no other batsman reached double figures as the innings closed at 95 for 6 . Brymbo's county opening pair of Mark Jones and Stewart Williams made light of the total, Jones hitting 72 not out off 68 balls and Williams 21 before being trapped lbw by Steve Penk for Mochdre's only success. Phil Leeds again bowled well conceding only seven runs off six overs, but the Mochdre spin attack, which has picked up just 26 wickets in 20 games this season, is in need of inspiration.

Saturday 21st August

Mochdre's senior players led the way as their fiercely determined 1st XI overwhelmed erstwhile title challengers Gwersyllt to record a vital win at Black Marsh Field in Division 1 of the North Wales League. The early signs were ominous as openers Chris Lloyd and Indian professional Devang Ghandi, scorer of a century in the early season reverse fixture, established a solid base against the accurate opening attack of Rob Stewart and Phil Leeds. At 46 without loss skipper Gareth Davies introduced himself into the attack. His first ball loosener was smashed by Gandhi, on 28, only for Rob Stewart to cling to a sensational catch. Lloyd, 17, followed immediately, initiating a procession of Gwersyllt batsmen as Phil Leeds, 3 for 36 off 16 overs, Rob Stewart, 2 for 38 off 14, and Gareth Davies, 3 for 20 off 7, produced seam bowling of disciplined hostility. Richard Totton and Oliver Tiernay contributed in the field with a run out apiece as the Gwersyllt innings closed on 115. With points vital in the fight against relegation it was vital for Mochdre to avoid the loss of early wickets. Openers Dafydd Rhys and Gareth Davies rose superbly to the challenge adding 67 for the first wicket before Rhys was caught off the bowling of Ghandi for a fine 32. Davies continued, mixing care and aggression, to an unbeaten 51, and was given excellent support by veteran Steve Jones, 25 not out, as the visitors' total was passed without further loss.

Saturday 28th August

It was vital that Mochdre 1st XI should emerge triumphant from their crucial visit to fellow Division 1 relegation candidates Gresford on Saturday. The bowlers rose to the challenge superbly as Gresford were restricted to 99 for 9 of their 45 overs. The opening pace attack of Phil Leeds, 2 for 28 off 14 overs, and Rob Stewart, 2 for 20 off 10, made early inroads before off-spinner Paul Colman weighed in with 3 for 24 off 11 overs to wipe out the middle order. Keeper Dafydd Rhys assisted with a smart stumping and a catch. Gresford is never an easy ground on which to bat and Mochdre suffered an early set back with the loss of skipper Gareth Davies for a duck. Dafydd Rhys and Steve Jones then dug in for an invaluable unbeaten partnership of 94 to pass the Gresford total with seven overs remaining, Rhys scoring 45 not out off 130 balls and Jones 38 not out off 92.

Monday 30th August

Mochdre were unable to repeat their resolute batting performance in the Bank Holiday home fixture with mid table Halkyn. Batting first Mochdre were bowled out for 99 with several batsmen settling in but then unable to consolidate. Oliver Tiernay, 19, Gareth Davies, 18, Paul Colman, 16, and Adam Cain, 14, all flattered to deceive, with Mochdre falling 40 runs short of a decent total as Halkyn skipper Gareth Thomas, 5 for 20, and Andy Bellis, 3 for 41, made steady inroads. At 87 for 1, with opener Maelor Thomas, 61, in cavalier form, Halkyn looked to be cruising to an easy victory. With survival points at stake however, skipper Gareth Davies was in determined mood, and an inspired spell resulted in five more Halkyn wickets falling for the 13 runs needed to win the match. Davies finished with 5 for 20 off 11 overs and received good support from young Richie Totton, 1 for 17 off 7.

Saturday 4th September

Rob Stewart bowled a superb last over to give Mochdre a nail-biting victory by one run against Bangor and guarantee their frist division status next season. Bangor only needed four runs off the last over for victory, but the Mochdre seamer beat the bat with five succesive deliveries before conceding just two off the last. Earlier Mochdre had scored 155 for 8 in their 45 overs, helped by 35 extras. Phil Leeds top scored with 22 although most of the batsmen got into double figures, without being able to carry it on. Bangor were cruising at 110 for 2 after 30 overs, before collapsing to 150 for 8, but still looked favourites going into that last over. Hero Stewart and skipper Gareth Davies both finished with three wickets each for Mochdre, and there were two run outs.

Saturday 11th September

Mochdre 1st XI's final fixture in Division 1 was a trip to fifth place Mold, and both game and result were almost a microcosm of a Mochdre season characterized by occasional brilliance and frequent under-achievement. Never the easiest track on which to bat, Mold's pitch lived up to expectations offering plenty of help to both sides. With their batting line-up boasting a tail longer than that of the longest tailed lemur, Mochdre's bowlers and fielders needed to keep the Mold total to reasonable proportions, and they duly obliged bowling Mold out for 106 in 40 overs. Young left arm spinner Richie Totton led the way with 4 for 30 off 13 overs, his best return of the season, and including the scalps of top scorer David Southill, 37, and the dangerous Brian Williams, 22. Good support was provided by skipper Gareth Davies, 3 for 20 off 10 , and off spinner Paul Colman, 2 for 25 off 10, whilst six catches were held including two apiece for Clifton Robinson and Paul Colman. With the assistance of 17-year-old opening bat Adam Cain, 18, Mochdre made a solid start to their reply. At 63 for 2 with Phil Leeds, 24, and Dafydd Rhys, 15, at the crease they looked to be in control with just 44 needed off 24 overs. Sadly, it was an all too familiar scene as Mold paceman Steve Burkhill, 6 for 18 off 9 overs, ripped through the fragile tail, Mochdre slumping to 93 all out.