Pwllheli (229 for 4) beat Denbigh (203) by 26 runs

PWLLHELI’s Jason Underwood struck 95 not out to set a challenging target of 229 for 4 against Denbigh at Ystrad Road, before Owen Reilly’s spin bowling accounted for four wickets in dismissing their hosts for 203 all out in the 46th over.

Pwllheli had made the journey to Denbigh in persistent drizzle, which just about stopped before stand-in captain Jason Underwood lost the toss and the visitors from Pen Llyn were asked to take first knock on a reasonable looking surface.

The new opening batting partnership of Owen Reilly and Craig Edwards performed well in the overcast conditions, before Edwards tried one shot too many to fall for 33 runs with the score on 54.

Reilly (20) and Morgan Murray-Williams (38) batted carefully, and with Underwood finding rhythm after a scratchy start, the innings reached a 229 for 4 total, with Joe Lewis returning 2 for 71 runs.

Underwood was 95 not out, which included 10 fours and two huge sixes - one hitting the surrounding house roofs and a caravan on the other side of the road!

Michael Hughes hit a typical lusty 18 off just 12 balls at the end as Pwllheli added 42 runs to their total in their last 4 overs.

This was always going to be a close contest between two evenly matched sides, who occupied sixth and seventh places in the league, and so it turned out as both sides looked favourites to win at several times during the Denbigh response.

Home openers Gerallt Lyall and ex-Colwyn Bay star Harrison Jones put on 96 runs, before Lyall departed for 27 to the occasional swing of Adam Williams.

Harrison Jones was in fine touch before crucially falling to an excellent catch behind by Pwllheli wickie Edwards for 82, with the score on 147 for 2 wickets down.

Denbigh were firm favourites, but panic set in as the Pwllheli spinners took control. Owen Reilly (4 wickets for 32 runs), Underwood (3 for 26) and Swapnil Kate (1 for 12) saw off the last eight Denbigh wickets fall for just 49 runs, to give Pwllheli a hard-fought 26 run victory.

This win moves Pwllheli up to fifth in the North Wales League Premier Division and this weekend they welcome local rivals Bangor to Parc Bodegroes in what will surely be another exciting encounter.