Cricket

Nadeem hits half-century for Pwllheli

Pwllheli (206 for 9 declared) drew
with Northop (189 for 8)

SEVERAL decent batting knocks, some not-so-rewarding bowling stints and a damp wicket and outfield were influential factors that prevailed as Pwllheli continued their North Wales promotion quest.
The Bodegroes Park hosts and their opponents Northop got entangled in a division one draw that concluded with just 17 runs separating the teams and a points’ split of 17-10 in the game’s final analysis.
That left Pwllheli occupying second place in the table on 323 points, behind title favourites Denbigh on 372 and ahead of Conwy, Northop and Llay Welfare.
Vice-captain Chris Moore took charge, in the absence of Paul Gower through illness, and after losing the toss he accepted the invitation for the home team to bat first, which led to 206 runs being amassed for nine wickets declared after 45 overs.
A number of batsmen made satisfactory contributions, with opening batsman Neil Williams scoring 48, number three Nadeem Rehman 58, Chris Moore 41 and Mike Hughes 24 off 19 balls, with a six.
Pwllheli experienced three run-outs, while Northop’s bowlers shared the wickets around, with Mark Poynton faring best, with four victims for 43 runs from 11.5 overs. Jonathan Haupfleisch managed one wicket for 44 runs in 11 overs and teenager Harry Lewis had one for 22 in five.
After the tea break, Pwllheli took to the field for the Northop reply and they were encouraged when they gained a couple of early scalps, but the Deesiders steadied and they gradually accumulated runs.
There were times when Northop were up with the run rate, and they had notions of victory, but Pwllheli managed to break two or three developing partnerships.
The home attack succeeded in time in restricting Northop to 189 runs for eight wickets in 55 overs, denying them the win they sought, but being unable themselves to capture all the wickets they needed.
Some six bowlers got among the wickets, albeit with only modest returns, as Mike Hughes claimed two for 38 from 13 overs, Ben Jones one for 46 from 10 overs, Chris Moore one for 48 from 10, Nadeem Rehman one for 18 in 13.5, Adam Williams one for 22 and Neil Williams one for 12.
Northop’s main run-makers were Andy Poynton, who made 22, captain Chris Brooks 44, Richie Walker 31, David Fulkes 22 and finally Mark Poynton 19 not out.

Pwllheli 2nds (139 for 9) lost at
Menai Bridge 3rds (211 all out) by 81 runs

TABLE positions counted for nothing, when Pwllheli Seconds visited Menai Bridge Thirds for a fifth-versus-eighth challenge in the North Wales League division five, and they were beaten by 81 runs - to concede an emphatic 9-1 points’ split.
While the sun shone warmly and the Anglesey club’s Ty’n-y-Caeau ground offered the perfect setting for cricket, Pwllheli had to admit to being second-best all round.
Menai Bridge used their stint at the crease to pile up 211 runs all out, benefiting particularly from a second wicket stand of 121 by opener Jed Davies, who scored 48, and number three bat Robert Whitaker on 56.
Pwllheli’s persistent bowlers were Morgan Williams, who claimed three wickets for 41 runs off nine overs, and Paul Mawer, who pocketed three for 28 from 12.
The winning target was clearly daunting and, to Pwllheli’s credit, they stretched out their patient reply to 130 runs for nine wickets, to avoid a complete wipe-out.
Most of the batsmen offered something to the all-round effort, the better returns being made by number three Simon Williams on 22 and number eight Morgan Williams, who stuck it out right to the end for 20 not out. Meanwhile Menai Bridge’s most productive bowler was Reuben Maerivoet, whose analysis worked out at three wickets for 25 runs from 12 overs.

Pictured above: Nadeem Rehman was Pwllheli’s top scorer with 58 runs off 85 balls. Pic: Dewi Wyn.