Pwllheli (362 for 3) beat Connahs Quay (274 for 8) by 88 runs

ON a humid, drizzly day at Parc Bodegroes, both captains would have chosen to bowl first on a soft, green pitch, and the pundits on the boundary expressed their firm belief that 150 would be enough.

Some 636 runs later, Pwllheli had retained their unbeaten home start in the North Wales Premier League with a convincing 88 runs victory over the Quay.

Jason Underwood, with his unbeaten 199 (with 16 fours and 12 sixes) produced Pwllheli’s best effort in their 30 years in the North Wales League, and ultimately the best since records began in 1952.

His partnership of 310 runs with Morgan Murray-Williams (dismissed lbw on 99) was also the best-ever for Pwllheli.

Pwllheli had been 31 for 2, with opener Swapnil Padmanand Kate caught for 11 by Thomas Hooson off bowler Matthew Redinger (1 for 77 from 12 overs), and Craig Edwards being bowled for 13 by Darren Leach (2 for 78 from 12 overs).

The Quay had a go at chasing 362, and opener Matt Redinger, with 109 off just 73 balls led them to 138 off just 15 overs before his opening partner David Fox went to a fine catch in the deep by Swapnil Padmanand Kate off Underwood (1 for 61).

The introduction of Chris Moore had the tiring Redinger caught behind by Craig Edwards, and the Quay response finally petered out on 274 from their 50 overs.

Thomas Hoosan made 39 (4 fours) and Darren Leach 52 (6 fours), but both fell to catches from Kate, from the bowling of Syed Kaleem Aslam (2 for 69, 12 overs) and Morgan Murray-Williams (1 for 26, 7 overs). Chris Moore took 2 for 56 off 10.

St Asaph (233 for 7) lost to Pwllheli (244 for 3) by 11 runs

PWLLHELI’S Bank Holiday Monday fixture against top five Premier Division rivals St Asaph produced a thrilling encounter at the delightful Elwy Grove.

In the end, it was Pwllheli who held their nerve to grab victory by just 11 runs.

Winning the toss, Pwllheli captain Mike Hughes had little hesitation in electing to bat first on a glorious sunny afternoon.

It was again that man Jason Underwood who followed his Saturday heroics with another fine century, finishing unbeaten on 112 (with 13 fours and 3 sixes).

Opener Chris Moore was his partner this time, striking a composed 79 (8 fours)before being caught on the boundary late on by Paul Flemming, from bowler Richard Marsh Evans (1 for 37 frm 8 overs).

Opener Swapnil Padmanand Kate had been run out for 15 (3 fours) and Morgan Murray-Williams was caught by Nathanael Scott for 14 (2 fours) from the bowling of Alex Baker (1 for 69 from 12 overs).

Pwllheli’s final total of 244 for 3 from their 50 overs was just about par on this fast-scoring ground, and so it proved.

St Asaph responded with a gritty batting display, with four players getting over 30, but nobody going on to a big score.

Mathew Ryan (34), William Ryan (47) Jason Foulkes (40) and Paul Fleming (41) all offered resistance, but with 15 needed off the last over for victory, Morgan-Williams held his nerve to bowl a tight over that conceded just 4 runs, with Alex Baker finishing on 23 not out after the 50 overs.

Jason Underwood took 2 for 57 from his 11 overs, with wickets also falling to Michael Hughes, Murray-Williams, Chris Moore, Sayed Kaleem Aslam and Sean Reilly, as Pwllheli moved to fourth place with this 11 points to 4 points success.

They are now just four points behind second-placed St Asaph, whilst Menai Bridge are still out in front at the top.