HOSTS Bethesda, who decided to bat first, were skittled out for just 52 in the 29th over of their North Wales Division One match, with Dolgellau responding with 54 for 3, and winning by 7 wickets in 12 overs.

Mark Edmondson was the chief destroyer, bowling with pace to take full advantage of a batting strip with inconsistent bounce to return outstanding figures of 12 overs, 5 maidens, 5 wickets for just 15 runs.

He was ably supported by Eric Herbert, who claimed 3 wickets for 18 from his 12 overs, with 3 maidens.

In their run chase, Dolgellau slumped to 13 for 3, but a hard-hitting partnership of 41 between Greg Smithies and Herbert then carried the visitors to victory.

Bethesda’s skipper Nick Parry was the first wicket down, when bowled by Edmondson in the first over.

Ioan Roberts was caught behind by Rob Humphreys off Herbert, to make it 17 for 2 in the 8th over, before three wickets fell on 22.

Australian Michael Jennings was bowled by Edmondson; Gareth Edwards caught by Sion Hughes for Edmondson’s third wicket, and opener Carwyn Williams held in the slips at the second attempt by Edmondson, from Herbert.

Williams top scored with 15, and was the only batsman to get double figures.

Jonathan Williams was bowled by Herbert and Gavin Owen caught by the keeper Humphreys off Edmondson, both being dismissed with the total on 27.

Lee Williams survived 20 deliveries until he was given out lbw, to make it five wickets for Edmondson.

From 38 for 8 it went to 41 for 9 as Sean Buchanan was dismissed, caught by Jason Weaver off visiting captain Phil Leeds, and finally 52 all out, when Weaver bowled number 11 batsman Gareth Jones; Matt Buchanan was the not out batsman.

There were only 2 fours hit in the innings, while 16 extras meant that just 36 runs came from the bat.

Edmondson’s excellent 5 for 15 and the equally impressive 3 for 18 by Herbert were supported by Weaver 1 for 6 from 2.3 overs and Leeds 1 for 5 from 2 overs.

Dolgellau started their reply after a 10 minute interval between innings and they managed to get themselves in a bit of trouble.

It was 2 for 1 when opener Geraint Jones was adjudged lbw to Jennings and 13 for 2, the other opener Gareth Lanagan being bowled by Gareth Jones.

When Stuart Evans’ square cut found the hands of Sean Buchanan off Jones it was 13 for 3, but after the clatter of 13 wickets it became the turn of the bat.

Greg Smithies joined Eric Herbert in the middle and together they took 26 more deliveries to score the 40 runs needed for victory.

Smithies was particularly belligerent, bludgeoning 5 fours in his 24 not out while Herbert struck 2 fours in his undefeated 13 as Dolgellau claimed a 7 wicket success in 12 overs. Gareth Jones finished with 2 for 20 and Jennings 1 for 27.

Dolgellau II (77) lost to Caernarfon II (235-8) by 158 runs

DOLGELLAU Seconds are still looking for their first points of the season after losing by 158 runs to their Caernarfon counterparts.

The visitors, asked to bat first, made 235 for 8, Dolgellau 2nds responding with 77 all out in 28 overs.

Caernarfon’s number six batsman Barry Roberts top scored with a very good 90 before he was lbw to Elgan Hughes. The other main contributors were Prysor Aled 28 not out, opener Jason Parry 25, Ian Morgan 23, Huw Erddyn Davies 22 not out and Grant Peisley 19.

For Dolgellau Jack Mynard’s 2 for 26 was the pick of the bowlers. Jamie Tomkins claimed 2 for 54, Elgan Hughes 1 for 24, skipper Dan Williams 1 for 30 and Bryn Fogden 1 for 33. Elgan also had a run out, keeper Callum Taylor had a catch, as did Fogden, Dan Williams and Doug Hughes.

Dan Williams later proved to be their top scorer with 16 batting at number 9. Tomkins 15, Doug Hughes 13, and Dafydd Jones 11, also made it to double figures as Dolgellau fell for 77.

Prysor Aled took 6 wikcets for 25 for Caernarfon, Ian Morgan 2 for 3, Barry Roberts 1 for 14 and Llyr Erddyn Davies 1 for 14.