Cricket

Nadeem's half century seals win

Pwllheli (114 for 5) beat Bethesda (113 for 9) by 5 wkts

A HIGHLY profitable weekend double by Pwllheli in the North Wales League, worth a total of 48 points, was completed with the Bank Holiday Monday victory over Bethesda, although the home team had to work hard to get there.
Bethesda belied their third-from-bottom plight in the North Wales League division one by challenging all the way, whereas Pwllheli succeeded in enhancing their promotion credentials as a second-from-top side.
In several respects, this challenge was similar to Saturday’s endeavours against Rhewl, as Bethesda - invited to bat first – were contained on 113 runs for nine wickets declared off 31 overs.
Little stood out from their innings as being of special significance, although number four bat Gareth Edwards top-scored with 24, Ben Parker made 17, John Williams 16 and there were 20 extras, mostly wides.
Pwllheli’s bowlers were largely dominant and shared the spoils around, as Mike Hughes excelled by collecting three wickets for seven runs in seven overs.
Adam Williams also had three victims at a cost of 47 runs from nine overs, while Ben Jones claimed two wickets for 24 from five overs.
The response by the hosts reached the target in 28 overs at 114 runs for five wickets, by means of determined application in the face of some hostile and committed bowling by Bethesda.
Again, Nadeem Rehman was the backbone of the innings, going in at number three and providing 52 not out, his partner at the end being returning player (from the Manchester area) Mark Jones on 15 not out.
Pwllheli had looked vulnerable at 36 for four but the Rehman and Jones partnership put the situation back on course, while the other contributors included opening bat Ben Jones on 22.
Battling against the inevitable, Bethesda had decent bowling stints from Alan Shepherd, with two for 28 from six overs, and Richard L Williams at two wickets for 25 from nine overs, but they could not prevent Pwllheli enjoying a satisfying 23-5 points’ award.