Cricket: Colwyn Bay on a roll

Jun 24 2010 By Dave Jones

COLWYN Bay skipper Graeme Jones reports confidence in the camp could not be higher ahead of this Saturday’s Liverpool and District Competition ECB Premier League clash at champions Bootle.

The Bay’s fourth successive win at the weekend – an epic run chase success at Northop Hall – lifted them to third in the table, just 13 points behind the Liverpool-based reigning champions.

Now Jones is looking forward to seeing his in-form side face arguably their biggest test of the season yet at Wadham Road.

“We couldn’t be in any better heart in terms of recent form,” declared the Colwyn skipper.

“We are batting and bowling well and while there’s room for improvement in our fielding that’s something common in most club sides – we are not professionals after all.”

He added: “We’re expecting an extremely tough game of cricket at Bootle.

“They are not the star-studded side of recent seasons but they are still second in the league, they believe they are going to win every game and after a couple of poor results they will be itching to get a victory.”

The only setback for the Bay ahead of the top of the table tussle is the fact opener Caerwyn Williams is unavailable so soon after his superb knock of 96 at Northop Hall.

Saturday’s North Wales derby at Smithy Lane saw the Hall elect to bat first on a cracking strip and set 247-6 declared off a mammoth 69 overs.

The hosts were struggling on 140-6 before Martin Burger (76 not out) and Darren Peters (57 no) hit out in a century stand. For Bay, Gareth Cross picked up 2-59 and William Hantam 2-73.

Left just 41 overs to make 248, Colwyn lost opener Charlie Clubb for 18 with the score on 42 before Williams and Lancashire all-rounder Cross came together for a dynamic partnership.

Williams was out just four short of a ton and Cross slammed 91 in a second-wicket allegience of 176.

South African Hantam (20 not out) then helped guide the visitors over the finish line to 248-3 and a 23-4 points triumph.

“After they elected to bat on a tremendous wicket, I thought our bowlers applied themselves really well and to have them 86-5 and 130-6 on such a flat track was exceptional,” added captain Jones.

“They were still only about 160 after 55 overs before their numbers seven and eight started to put bat to ball. After tea they could have batted us out of the game and set a ludicrous total, but their captain in his wisdom decided to declare.

“We knew that time favoured us. Even needing six an over our lads felt confident we could make 248 after seeing the way their numbers seven and eight had batted.”

IN a high-scoring match at Penrhyn Avenue, Colwyn Bay seconds had to settle for a losing draw against Leigh.

The visitors reached 274-3 off 43 overs, Kieran Grundy (150 not out) and fellow opener Steven Williams (50) making the most of the batsman-friendly conditions, Glyn Gibbons collecting 3-93.

In reply, Bay gave chase with Chris Rowley (48) and Ethan Ray (42) being the main scorers, but they eventually fell short on 228-7 as the match finished in a draw with the pitch being the only winner. Points: Colwyn Bay 6 Leigh 8.