A MUCH weakened Dolgellau side, with only five of their first team squad available, travelled to play in-form Pontblyddyn on Saturday, and duly paid the consequences as they were beaten by 137 runs.

Second team players had to be drafted in as the side was decimated by work and holiday commitments, while two players withdrew due to illness in the morning.

Pontblyddyn won the toss and not surprisingly decided to bat, notching up 292 for 6 from their 50 overs, with opener Ben Mason (126) hitting an excellent century.

Dolgellau responded with a respectable total of 155 all out in 37.2 overs, with Mark Edmondson striking 65, and the hosts’ James Birch taking six wickets for 25, including a hattrick to finish off the innings.

The home side reached 51 for 2 in their first 15 overs, the Dolgellau bowlers Edmondson and Eric Herbert doing some good work, supported by their fielders.

At 22 veteran batsman Phil Davies was bowled by Edmondson, who also bowled the experienced Glenn Chambers for 16.

The visitors had to wait another 23 overs before the next wicket fell, with Mason and Alistair Roberts putting on 115 runs.

With the total on 166, Roberts was out lbw to skipper Phil Leeds for a good 33.

Leeds claimed a second wicket when Herbert held an outstanding catch on long-on boundary to dismiss James Hughes and make it 181 for 4 in the 39th over.

The last 15 overs saw Pontblyddyn score 144 runs, Mason and captain Chris Myles taking advantage of a lack of firepower.

Mason reached his century from 121 deliveries in a hard-hitting knock of 126, which included a six and 12 fours, eventually being caught by Sam Williams from the occasional bowling of Callum Taylor.

Mason and Myles had a partnership of 30 runs, which was followed by a stand of 67 for the sixth wicket by Myles and Birch, who was bowled by Edmondson for 138.

Another 14 runs were added before the innings finally closed on 292 for 6.

Myles remained undefeated on 57 off 31 balls with a six and 7 fours, Gethin Thomas being the other not out batsman.

Edmondson did some excellent work with the ball finishing with 3 for 56 from his 12 overs, as did Leeds, 2 for 51 also from 12 overs, while James Bradbury-Willis had a decent spell, 0 for 32 off 8 overs.

Dolgellau, missing several regular batsmen, were always going to find it difficult faced with a total of 292 to chase, but the visitors did show some fight before finally being all out for 155 in the 38th over.

The home side’s disciplined bowling and excellent fielding made it hard for the batsmen, although Dolgellau were on par with Pontblyddyn for the first 25 overs, with both teams having scored 86 runs.

Two early run outs did not help the visitors’ cause, openers Geraint Jones who made 14 and Sam Williams both succumbing to mix-ups in their running.

Herbert was caught by keeper James Griffiths off Birch, the first of 6 wickets for him. From 25 for 3 Leeds and Edmondson had a good alliance of 109 for the 4th wicket, Edmondson being particularly aggressive as he struck a six and 10 fours reaching a half century from 59 balls.

With the total on 134, Edmondson was out for an excellent knock of 65 from 63 deliveries, caught and bowled by Birch.

Leeds continued and he finished the innings unbeaten on 38 not out as he ran out of partners, with Taylor hitting a six before becoming Birch’s third victim.

Birch completed a hat trick by taking the last three wickets to fall, and ending with 6 wickets for 25 from 10.2 overs.

Although losing by 137 runs, a weakened Dolgellau fought well in the field and with the bat and kept in good spirit.

James Bradbury-Willis, James Farrer and Dave Crunkhorn were all late additions and did some good work in the field keeping their concentration throughout.

The match ball was sponsored by JPW Construction, Machynlleth. Dolgellau will entertain Carmel this Saturday, while the Seconds will travel to Bangor Seconds.