HIGH-RIDING Pwllheli were confident of beating bottom club Chirk, who remain without a win all season in the North Wales League Premier Division.

It proved a tough test, however, as number five Andrew Swarbrick struck 72 runs in a challenging total of 218 for 8 for Chirk, with three wickets falling to South African all-rounder Jason Underwood.

After an early wobble, it was Underwood who guided Pwllheli to a four-wicket success, hitting 9 fours and 4 sixes in his excellent unbeaten knock of 79.

After winning the toss and electing to bat, Chirk found themselves in deep trouble with 3 wickets down for just 28 runs, all to leg-spinner Jason Underwood.

Opener Chris Prichard made 21, including a four and a six, before he was caught by Sean Reilly for 21, from the bowling of Underwood, who also had Ollie Gough caught behind by Michael Hughes for 3, and bowled out Wynne Jones for 7.

Nicholas Flack had made 6 when he was caught by Craig Edwards from the bowling of Michael Hughes for 6, but captain Andy Swarbrick came to the rescue.

He hit a composed 72, which included 6 fours and 3 sixes off the 82 balls he faced, before he finally offered Chris Moore a catch, from the bowling of Sean Reilly.

Support was provided by Bill Swarbrike, who made 12, Shaun Walker with 24, Stephen Davies with 17 and notably Luke Gardner, who finished unbeaten on 40 not out as Chirk recovered to post a reasonable total of 218 from 50 overs.

Underwood finished with 3 wickets for 36 runs, whilst Michael Hughes took 2 for 47 and Morgan Murray-Williams 2 for 47.

It was even hotter after tea as the temperatures soared into the 20s, and Andy Swarbrick turned up the heat as the opening fast bowler sent back Pwllheli’s top three back to the pavilion in quick time.

Opener Chris Moore was caught behind by Shaun Walker for 11, Morgan Murray-Williams was caught by Nicholas Flack for 2, and Swapnil Padmanand Kate was caught by James Carter for 24, 5 fours.

Underwood kept focus, but soon the hosts had lost five wickets with the score only on 65, as Nicholas Flack dismissed both Craig Edwards and Owen Reilly and a shock result looked on the cards.

All-rounder Underwood, however, was still there and he was joined by number seven Sean Reilly to produce the match-winning partnership of 108 runs.

Reilly eventually tried one swing too many and was bowled for 41, with 4 fours, but the game ended in quick time as captain Mike Hughes came in to smash 4 sixes in his quick-fire 35 off just 16 balls.

South African Underwood was undefeated at the end on 79, under the watchful if slightly nervous eye of his visiting mother, as Pwllheli secured a hard-fought four-wicket victory over a gallant Chirk side, on 224 for 6 in the 44th over.

Andrew Swarbick finished with 3 for 49, Luke Gardner took an expensive 1 for 75, and Nicholas Flack took 2 for 48.

Pwllheli overtook local rivals Bangor to move further up the Premier Division table. Next Saturday is the big one as table-topping Menai Bridge visit Bodegroes in what should be a humdinger of a contest.

• Pwllheli Seconds claimed a thrilling win by just five runs at Bethesda Seconds, who fell short on 141 for 9 after 40 overs.

Opener Neil Williams (46) and Rhys Griffiths (46) had helped Pwllheli reach 146 for 8 in 40 overs after electing to bat.

Bethesda’s Dewi Roberts was 85 not out, but Osian Williams took 4 for 12 and Keiran Roberts 3 for 15 to restrict the reply.