1ST X1 REPORTS

MAY

Saturday 1st May

A low and slow early season wicket was the real winner as Mochdre eked out a tense victory against Llay in their opening fixture inthe Division 1, North Wales League, as batsmen from both sides found scoring much more difficult than occupying the crease. Put in to bat Mochdre lost their first two wickets with just four on the board before a gritty stand of 46 for the third wicket between Steve Jones, 24, and youngster Phil Patel,20, added some respectability to the total. As wickets tumbled rapidly only allrounder Paul Colman mastered the Llay bowling, remaining unbeaten with a judiciously compiled 20, dominating an invaluable 16 run last wicket stand with spinner Phil Hughes, Mochdre struggling to a final total of 88. Seamer Damien Bryan with 6 for 25 bowled superbly for Llay, his slower ball causing problems throughout the innings.

Llay set off briskly with opener Mike Phannah, 20, punishing some short bowling as llay scored 23 off the first five overs. Mochdre then exerted control through tight medium pace bowling as skipper Gareth Davies, 5 for 14 off 16 overs, and new recruit Phil Leeds, 4 for 15 off 15 overs, reduced Llay to 73 all out. Mochdre's outfielding looked refreshingly sprightly for so early in the season, PhilLeeds showing the way with two good catches and Robbie Stewart picking up a superb low chance to dismiss the dangerous Denbighshire batsman John parry for a duck.

Saturday 22nd May

The importance of batting the full 45 overs was demostrated as rusty Mochdre, playing their second game of the season, fell to a four wicket defeat at Pontblyddyn. Batting first, none of Mochdre's top four established themselves against Pontblyddyn's accurate pace attack, opening bowler Rhys Jones snapping up 4 for 28 before middle-order men Phil Leeds, 39, and Gareth Colman, 33, steered the side towards a respectable total. The introduction of Glen Chambers to the attack proved decisive as he rattled through the lower order to finish on 6 for 29 as the Mochdre innings closed on 151 in the 42nd over.

Mochdre's bowling attack never allowed the Pontblyddyn batsmen to dominate with Gareth Davies, 1 for 37 off 18, and Phil Leeds, 2 for 57 off 16, keeping the home side in check. However patient knocks from Mark Chambers, 41 and Phillip Snell, 45, proved decisive despiye the late efforts of Richard Jones, 3 for 18 off 5, as Pontblyddyn reached their goal with 6 wickets down in the 2nd extra over.

Saturday 29th May

Mochdre's stuttering start to the season received a boost with a decisive victory at home to Bethesda. Electing to bat Mochdre were given a solid start by Dafydd Rhys, 27, and skipper Gareth Davies, 21, reaching 56 for 1 before slumping to 71 for 5 and looking in real trouble. For the second week running they were rescued by a fine sixth wicket partnership between Phil Leeds and Gareth Colman, adding 102 in 18 overs. Phil Leeds, who has proved a fine recruit for the club, anchored the fightback with a smooth 55 not out off 72 balls, whilst young Gareth Colman demonstrated his undoubted talent with an explosive 64 off 65 balls helping the home side to a challenging 200 for 7 off their 45 overs. Dewi Redvers Jones with 3 for 46 off 17 overs was the pick of the Bethesda attack.

Bethesda also started well reaching 76 for 1, Eifion Jones 28 and Elwyn Owen 27, before the ubiquitous Phil Leeds struck with the ball. His 3 for 31 off 15 overs of fats medium swing bowling removed the upper order. Some snappy fielding saw three run outs, and combined with young left arm spinner Richie Totton's 2 for 8 off 5 overs saw Bethesda collapse to 121 all out.