Cricket: Colwyn Bay face strugglers as they seek to chase Bootle

Jun 4 2009 by Dave Jones, North Wales Weekly News

TITLE-CHASING Colwyn Bay will visit lowly Northern this Saturday aiming for a maximum points haul to stay in touch with Liverpool Competition Premier Division leaders Bootle.

The Bay maintained their grip on second place with a 24-6 points victory over Wallasey at Rhos-on-Sea at the weekend.

Graeme Jones’ side trail the mighty Bootle by 27 points but at this relatively early stage of the campaign can feel content to be right there amongst the front-runners.

Bay skipper Jones opted to bat on winning the toss and after a rocky start on the dry sunny track the home side reached 193-9 when the captain declared after 55 overs.

Left-hand batsman Charlie Clubb, fresh from his Bank Holiday century at Prestatyn, again led the way with 46 as promoted second-teamer Ed Parry (42no), Ryan Holtby (19) and Nathan Rimmington (17) all chipped in.

There were also double figure scores from Sion Morris 14, Chris Rowley 12 and the captain with 11.

At 138-7 Bay’s prospects of a good total looked a bit shaky, but a stand of 40 between Parry and Holtby provided some stability and ensured a respectable target was set.

Wallasey’s Aussie pro Mitchell Cook nabbed 6-59 but the total proved more than adequate for victory.

Professional paceman Rimmington took 4-49 off 12 overs while at the other end the left-arm spin of Wales veteran Paul Jenkins earned him 4-18 off 14 mean overs to halt Wallasey short on 113 all out in 40 overs.

Bay vice-captain Morris said: “We played really well and I felt we were always in control.

“We lost early wickets but full marks to our middle order for getting the innings together and in the end giving the bowlers a decent total to defend.

“The combination of two such prolific but contrasting bowlers was a formula that Wallasey had no answer to.

“We are delighted to be holding second spot behind Bootle with still a long way to go.”

Colwyn Bay seconds were unable to maintain their good recent form as they crashed to a three-wicket defeat at Skelmersdale.

Batting first, the North Wales side were restricted to a moderate 170-8 off 45 overs.

Alex Walburn top scored with 51 while the experienced and ever-consistent Dave Wallace contributed 36, Michael Moss snaring 4-23 for the home team.

Skem lost a few wickets in reply but edged home on 171-7 off 38.4 overs to wrap up a 24-6 success, Phil Wright 47 and Mike Houghton 31.

James Jones could feel satisfied with his bowling effort for the Bay, returning figures of 3-24.

This Saturday Bay seconds entertain Maghull seconds at Penrhyn Avenue (1.45pm).

On Sunday, Colwyn Bay were 45-run victors over Burscough in the first round of the Business Assistance Knockout Trophy.

Bay called the coin correctly and chose to bat, posting 201-8 off 45 overs.

Skipper Jones made 55 and Stuart Brandom ended up just one short of a deserved fifty.

Burscough were then dismissed for 156, Holtby claiming 4-48 and Aussie pace ace Rimmington 3-20.

Colwyn Bay thirds finished up narrow losers at Leigh fourths in the 3rd XI competition on Sunday.

Joe Williams-Gray made 23, Tom Early 18 and T L Roberts 17 in Bay’s none-too-threatening 101 all out off 32.3 overs, Daniel Travis 4-20 for the Lancastrians.

Leigh then nervily made it to 105-7 in reply off 42.3, A J Pitman 3-36 off 15 overs for the visiting side.