2015 The Season

After weeks of indoor nets at Ruabon and Darland and talk of outfield problems and hardstanding the outdoor season started (April 11th) with a senior friendly at Marchweil. Warm Spring sunshine in the week prior to the game gave way to cooler sunshine......we lost but at least we had some proper cricket ready for NWCL next week.

18th April.....the NWCL starts with two losses! At Mold, dropped catches helped Mold reach 266 for 6 (CE & JB the wk takers). Early wks in the 1st reply didn`t help, CE and Bunks got good starts with Gareth B top scoring with 48no. All out 189.  The 2nds got close, lost by 4 runs at Carmel 1sts. Ryan Williams` 3 wks helped restrict the home side to 177 for 6 and gd knocks by youngsters Matt T (38), Rob Clark (31) and Chris Mullock (42no)...and Doobs (29 and no longer a youngster) took the 2nds to 173 for 8. Nearly a good day for new skipper Morsey.

25th April...it rained from Llandegla to Dolgellau and then it stopped and to everybodies surprise we started losing just 20 minutes of play. Put in, the Elwoods got together at a score of 31, 301 runs later Chris was out for 155 (4 sixes and 18 fours), Alex went onto score 171 no (18 fours also)..... record scores for Gresford 1st and a partnership that will surely go into the NWCL records. Brilliant both. Inspired by what we had seen the bowling and fielding....a big improvement on last week... reduced the home side to 120 (Bunks 2 wks, SP 3 wks)

The 2nds at Halkyn 1st lost in the last over by 5 wks. Batting first skipper Morse led the way with 59....G 189 for 8. A welcome return of Gareth Rowlands to the club...first scoring shot a six!

2nd May..... with Saturday`s 1st team game against Bersham rained off, the 2nds home game on Bank Holiday Moday took centre stage. Batting first against Ruthin 1st  we scored 249 for 9. Top six bats all scored well with skipper CM leading the way with 60. The Ruthin reply of 184 all out was memorable for U15 skipper Sam Thompsons 6 for 27 off 9 overs. Great first win for Morsey and the Seconds.

9th May... 2 miles up the road Llay`s ground remained unfit for the 1st eleven game after Fridays deluge. Amazingly the home game survived the weather and what agreat result ensued for the 2nds. Batting first against Brymbo, a par score of 146 was reached. Openers Steve Griffin (28) and `slightly` junior Matt Thompson (49) started well but it was only a sprightly 34 from George Morris allowed Gresford to post a decent total. Any total would have done! Brymbo all out for 42 in 32 overs. (Dan Griffin 4 for 18 off 12 and Matt D 3 for 2...on a hatrick next week). A 10-0 win! ...and well done to those who got the game on!

16th May...a weekend best forgotten. The 1sts travelled to Buckley, bowled and fielded well to restrict the home side to 141 for 9. Batting was a disaster. 94 all out with only Jack Bunkell (38) and the tail saving a complete collapse. The 2nds faired little better to title favourites Chirk. Matt Thompson`s 72 out of 108 all out was the undoubted highlight. Chirk 110 for 2.

23rd May....a much better weekend with max point wins for both sides. At home the firsts hit 267 for 7 with Chiis E leading the way with 90 and Matty Cree on 81...this after Alex was out first ball of the game (sorry). This proved far too many for Menai Bridge who after a stubborn start were bowled out by Simon P (5wks) and JB (4 wks). The 2nds win at Llandudno was equally emphatic; 243 for 6 vs 129 all out. Gareth Rolands led the way with 70, well supported by all the other bats. Wks with equally shared.     

 On Bank Holiday Monday a very young seconds travelled to table topping H. Park and despite avery spirited performance lost by 4 wks. Batting first Gareth B`s 50 + topped the scoring (George M. a quickfire 38). G...161. 4 for 48 from Sam Thompson kept the game interesting.                                                                             

30th May....with many regulars from both teams u/a (for good reasons!) two good wins were a pleasant bonus. At Conwy the 1st at tea faced the daunting task of chasing the home sides 262 for 1! 38 overs later and thanks largely to Matty C`s 109no and George M quickfire 61 (5 sixes and 5 fours) the win was Gresfords. Brilliant! The 2nds game at home was amuch closer affair against Mochdre. Chasing 150, a good opening stand  (Morsey and Morton) wks fell quickly. It was left to to a 60+ sixth wk stand between Matt D (42) and John W (37) to take Gresford close. 3 late wks kept it exciting. 151 for 8 and a win! 

`FLAMING JUNE` started with the 2nds making the headlines with a 160 run win at home to Northop. An excellent start from Steve G (58) and Craig M set the tempo. The skipper eventually went on to a brilliant 148. Young Maclosky helped with 47...the 2nds finished on 280 for 4. Meanwhile at `gale force Bethesda the 1sts suffered a 3 wk defeat in the 49th over. After a poor start, Danny W rescued the G`ford innings with a well made 50+. He received welcome support from the late order. Good bowling and fielding made in difficult for the home side who eventually won in the last over.

June 13th...big scoring Bodedern arrived at Gresford  and were bowled out for just 114 with Gareth B taking the honours with 5 for 21 off 8 overs (and 2 catches!). Dodging the drizzle the G`ford reply took just 19 overs to pass Bod`s score for the loss of 2 wks, guided by Alec E 52no. (On the day the Ellwood males made bids for this years Brick.....keys, bucket and scorebook!)

20th June  Excellent bowling restricted Marchweil to just 71 all out (after being 20 for 0 off two overs....Jack, do you remember?). It took the 1sts just 17 overs to reach a winning score for the loss of two wks...Chris E 40no. This allowed the 1st team to get back home to witness an exiting finish of the 2nds game against  Abergele 1st. Scoring only 114 (Morse 28, Baker 39, Clare 24) and with Abergele starting well in reply an exiting finish was a surprise. This was down largely to the bowling of Harry Morris and Sam Cooper (combined figures of 23 overs 9 mdns 25 runs and 6 wks.) Excellent 9 run win.

27th June.  Individual performance of the season? Llanrwst bowled well to restrict the  1sts to 149 (Alex E 43) on what seemed a very good (& v dry) wk. After a positive start the visitors were then bowled out for just 64 with SP recording the best club bowling figs for sometime (3rd best ever after Tim Davies and Ernie Marsahall..we think?).......9 - 2 - 12 - 8 wks. BRILLIANT...incl 3 ct and bowled!          ..and we go 2nd in the League

The 2nds faired less well...all out for 120 at Pont eventually to loose by 5 wks. Only notable contribution was by the returning thespian Sean Richards....his 38 runs incl 4 sixes and he then took 3 wks.

4th July...and so the second half of the season starts with 2nd vs 3rd in the league. The 1st team being the sole attraction with the 2nds having no game. Batting first on another good dry wk, an excellent openers innings from Matty Cree (90) with good support from George M ( a master stroke to put him at 3) and Chris E...both 50+ allowed 293 for 7 to be on the board at tea. Mold reply never got going, Paddy Richards brilliant runout of Usman Butt set the standard which all the bowlers then followed. 105 all out and we are top of the league!

11th July....withs lots and lots missing from both teams good performances were prhaps the best we could hope for. The 1sts did that and more. Good bowling by all restricted Dolgellau to a par score of 199 for 6. It the became the Danny Williams show. His superb 105no was a pleasure to witness allowing a 2 wk win for the home side......interesting running (Doobs) kept the entertainment up right to the end...Danny got gd support from George M and Paddy, the Cut, Richards.

The 2nds faired less well against Ruthin 1st. 102 all out..with the `old uns` ..David Baker and Tim Thompson the top scorers (24 each). A 9 wk defeat. 

19th July......the 1sts travelled to inform Bersham. After winning the toss and batting, Alex E (66) and Matty C (48) gave us the perfect start on what wasn`t a perfect strip. The mid order then fell quickly but runs from 8,9 and 10 (Paddy and the Bells) allowed a par score of 199 to be set. From the start of the Bersham innings the bowlers and fielders all did their jobs well.....Gareth B finishing with the best figures of 3 for 19 .....on a hatrick next week!

At home to Hawarden Park the 2nds secured an easy 6 wk win. Sam Coops 3wks and Danny G 4 wks bowled the visitors out for 99. (many thought the wicketless Harry M the best of the bowlers!). 20+ from Morsey and Doobs and the game was won.

25th July...a day for local derbies. At Gresford the 1sts welcomed Llay in the top of the table clash. Llay won the toss and batted...only to be 89 all out. All 6 bowlers taking wks with JB`s 3 for 9 off 7 the best figures. Llay as expected were tough competitors taking 4 wks before the home side reached 90. Alex E (40no), easily the best bat on the day.

A much closer contest at Brymbo for the 2nds. Excellent innings from Matt Thompson (61) and skipper Morsey (93) left G`ford with 227 for 8. This proved to be 4 runs too many for Brymbo. Harry Morris with 4 for 37 at last getting the rewards for his excellent bowling.

Two great wins...and a good night followed (i think!) 

1st August - 1st XI kept their winning run going with a hard fought win against Buckley. 3 wickets each from P Richards and J Bell restricted Buckley to 160 (After being 70/6). This looked at tricky chase after slumping to 30/5. C. Mullock batted with a maturity beyond his years and was well supported by Henry Makings and Matthew Thompson. a 3 wicket win. The 2nds had a trickier weekend picking up 2 points from the two fixtures. Craig Morse with a 50 against Chirk on Saturday. Standout knocks from Sam Thompson on both days (22 and 37). Friendly side lose by 25 runs at Chester County Offices on Sunday. Highlights include 23 'dots' at the start of our bowling (well done crumps and tommy) and 31 with the bat from Tommy Roberts and 27 from Henry Soper - both really pleased with their performances!

In Midweek, the Groves conceded their fixture. This means the midweek XI will finish in 3rd place and will have to wait until next year to find out if they will be promoted.

Gresford Under 15s warmed up well for the Swalec hitting 189 against Malpas. Under 13s went into Thursday's clash with Llay 4 points ahead. Llay however, batted well to post 150 which was 50 more than Gresford could manage. Both teams tied on points at the top of the table.....time to get the calculators out!

August 8th - Gresford 2nds back to winning ways bowling out Llandudno for 114. Ryan Williams with 4 wickets. Craig Morse leading from the front again with the reply, hitting 57no. the 1st XI travelled to a picturesque Menai Bridge (best views in N.Wales when the sun's out?). Bowling first C.Ellwood struck twice early but some fierce hitting saw the home side reach 70/2 in quick time. With the ball flying to all parts it was Harry Morris who got the big wicket (then two more). Before Chris Ellwood made quick work of the middle order on his way to figures of 5-19. In reply, Matty Cree hit 45no as Gresford made it 9 wins in a row.

On Sunday, we held a Club T20 game. A really fun day played in the right spirit.. Highlights include A huge Ryan six, Paddy nearly 'bowling greening' brother Sean and Cameron Evans brilliant 32 not out! Thankyou very much Leslie, Clayton, George and Sue for all your help! (Pictures on website soon)

15th Aug.....High scoring Conwy arrived at G`ford and decided to ask the 1sts to bat....306 runs later, maybe they wished they hadn`t. Alex E led the way with a brilliant 98, he was well supprted by Matty Cree at the top of the order (41)  and then by Danny W (59) and Jack Bunks (38) Chris...how many lbw`s is it? The bowlers completed the job.....2 wks each for CE and Jack with JB`s 4 for 20 off 12 completing the Conwy innings. The 2nds had an equally good win at Northop. Dave Baker (77) dominated the scoring with good support from CM and SR (both 20+). Useful late runs from Matt D (36) and Sam Cooper  (18)...201. The bowling attack was then dominated by Nicky Clare`s 6 for 31 off 7.3 overs. Good weekend!

22nd Aug...all eyes were on the 1st team (no game for the 2nds). Traffic delayed Bethesda`s arrival, they then were put in and were quickly out for 62 (SP 4wks, PR 3...but he really wanted 5!). No tea was taken  and 16 overs later and for the loss of 3 wks the game was won..Matty C 32. Tea then a good night in the pub,,,,,and still top of the league.