Dolgellau (161) lost to Llay Welfare (162 for 6) by 4 wickets

DOLGELLAU totalled 161 all out at the Marian on Saturday, after deciding to bat first against Llay Welfare, who went on to make 162 for 6, for a 4 wicket victory in the North Wales League division one.

The match was delayed due to a wet outfield after overnight rain, reducing the number of overs per side to 45, with 10 overs maximum available to each bowler.

Dolgellau’s total had a generous contribution of 45 extras, nearly 30 per cent of the runs, which contained 32 wides.

Openers Gareth Lanagan and Sion Francis advanced the score to 38, at which Lanagan was well caught by Jacob Roberts in the slips for 14, off the bowling of Llay skipper Nathan Humphreys.

Six runs later the home team’s captain Phil Leeds was seemingly unlucky to be given out lbw by the away team umpire, the ball appearing to make contact with the bat and pitching outside leg stump, with Humphreys being the bowler.

Francis and Robbie Lee had an alliance of 34 for the 3rd wicket, before Francis, who has top scored in all three of his appearances this season, was bowled in Jack Parry’s first over for 25, with 3 fours.

Lee was out lbw to Dave Phennah for 24, 5 boundaries, 88 for 4 after 23 overs.

Mark Edmondson and Greg Smithies added 16, the latter caught and bowled by Phennah for 10, and when it had moved on to 130 Edmondson was bowled by the returning Tom Parry for 20 with 3 fours, after a stand of 26 with Sam Williams who was also bowled by Tom Parry to leave it at 136 for 7 with 12 overs remaining.

Tom Parry also took two more wickets, having Jaco Oosthuizen caught by keeper John Lloyd and bowling Sam Jones.

Rob Humphreys, coming in at number 9, did his best with the inexperienced tail enders, seeing 25 more runs added when he was at the crease, being eventually bowled by Roberts for 13 as he hit out.

Tom Parry claimed 4 for 22 from 10 very good overs and he was supported by Humphreys 2 for 31, Phennah 2 for 37, Jack Parry 1 for 25 and Roberts 1 for 14.

Llay then lost a wicket in the 3rd over, Phennah being bowled by Edmondson.

There followed a controversial moment a few balls later as No 3 batsman John Lloyd was given not out by home umpire Ken Evans as the Dolgellau players strongly appealed for a catch behind the stumps by Humphreys off Edmondson, convinced that Lloyd had hit the ball.

It was not to be, however, and the hosts’ frustration was compounded when Lloyd and opener Jacob Roberts had a partnership of 94 for the second wicket.

Roberts took the reins in the alliance and rode his luck to make 53 with a six and 7 fours, being stumped by Humphreys in Sam Williams’ fourth over.

Lloyd continued and also had elements of good fortune, being inches away from playing on to Leeds on more than one occasion. Leeds bowled Jack Parry, 101 for 3, Williams caught and bowled Tom Parry for 13, with a six, and Edmondson bowled Humphreys to make it 131 for 5, effectively 6 as Llay were a player short.

Dave Wright joined Lloyd and together they guided their side to a winning 162 with 23 balls to spare. Lloyd was on 47 not out and Wright 22 not out as Dolgellau’s lack of bowling firepower at the end was exposed. Indeed, Leeds and Edmondson gave away just 39 from their combined 20 overs in comparison to 119 runs from 21 overs by the other bowlers used.

On the day, Dolgellau were not at their best in the field, including some dropped catches as Llay took12 points to the hosts’ 3 points. Leeds gave away just 17 runs for 1 wicket from his 10 overs while Edmondson finished with 2 for 22 from 10.

Williams’ 9 overs cost 53 for 2 wickets and Oosthuizen bowled 10 overs for 48.

This week’s Match Ball sponsors were Plas Gwyn Bed & Breakfast, and Louloupurple Crafts, both based in Dolgellau.

The Cricket Club would like to offer their condolences to Albert King and family on the loss of his wife Pat King, who has passed away after a short illness. Pat was a much liked tea lady for the Club. The Club’s thoughts are with the family.Caernarfon Seconds (143 for 8) beat Dolgellau Seconds (48) by 95 runsDOLGELLAU Seconds, having to make six changes after their home win against Llanrwst the previous week, suffered a heavy defeat at Caernarfon on Saturday.

Put in to bat Caernarfon made 143 for 8 from their 40 overs, Dolgellau being rolled over for just 48 in the 29th over. Ian Morgan top scored for the home side with 47 in a knock which included 3 sixes and 3 fours on the artificial strip.

Openers Jason Parry and Huw Davies scored 28 and 22 respectively, while Rhodri Owen and Richie Parry both made 10.

Callum Taylor starred with the ball for Dolgellau, starting the match as wicketkeeper then coming on to bowl to take 6 wickets for 18 runs from 5 overs.

Dave Jenkins had 1 for 23 and Jamie Tomkins 1 for 28. There were good spells by skipper Richard Rees and Jason Weaver who both bowled 9 overs for 21 runs.

Weaver also held a catch for Dolgellau as did Dan Williams and Ellis Melia.

When Dolgellau batted, only Dave Jenkins made double figures, the last wicket to fall for 10. Barry Roberts took 3 for 15, Prysor Aled 3 for 3, Llyr Davies 2 for 20 and captain Simon Davis 1 for 5.