Menai Bridge seize the initiative to move clear at the top

AT this stage of the cricket season, if you’re a side fighting for silverware or trying to avoid the dreaded drop, you have to make the most of anything that comes your way.

And that’s just what Menai Bridge did yesterday.

The leaders of the North Wales Cricket League premier division had been locked at the top with Mochdre going into Saturday’s matches while Llandudno were just six points behind in third.

But with the rain again playing its part, Mochdre and Llandudno both saw their games cut short while Menai Bridge inflicted a heavy defeat on winless LlayWelfare.

A knock of 95 from Luke Jones set Menai Bridge on the way to 225-9, though that was countered by Daniel Parry’s 6-63. However, Llay suffered a batting collapse in reply as Tim Coggan, Ashley Wood, Andrew Wannop and Gerallt Roberts dismissed them for 96.

Both Mochdre and Llandudno endured a frustrating day with wins seemingly on the cards before the weather turned.

Aled Williams and Steve Smith were flying on 78 and 49 not out respectively when the seasiders’ innings, and the match against Pontblyddyn, was called off with them on 200-3.

Adam Campion led by example for Mochdre as he took 4-19 and Marcus Adams 3-29 to bowl out Brymbo for 115. But only five overs were possible in reply.

Reigning champions Connah’s Quay had batted superbly to declare on 229-6 at home to St Asaph. Darren Jones (62) and captain Martin Burger (61) put them in an excellent position but the visitors’ innings couldn’t get under way.

Mold were thankful for the rain as they could only manage 129 batting first against Bangor, Simon Murley taking 5-20. Only three overs were possible in the reply.

There was though a result at Denbigh where visitors Northop won for just the second time this season, on this occasion by 143 runs.

Rain played havoc with a number of fixtures throughout the league, including in division one where the top-of-the-table showdown between leaders Llanrwst and Hawarden Park was cancelled without a ball being bowled.