July 2013

GOOD LUCK to Neil and his Under 13`s who travel to Newport on Sunday 14th July. Having defeated Northop CC in the regional final of the Welsh Cup, they go on to represent North Wales in the `All Wales finals`...against some `small` clubs from the South. Lwc dda i chi.

The first week in July was one of blue skies and hot, dry weather. Youth team games saw narrow defeats for both U9`s teams and the U11`s. U13`s had no league game but played and won a hastily arranged home friendly against Gwersyllt . The U15`s scraped home in a below par performance at Brymbo but still remain top of their league

Senior cricket, with no games for either the midweek (Shotton conceded) or the 2nds, was dominated by the 1sts at home to Chirk...and a memorable game it proved to be. Danny Williams maiden century and Matty Cree`s 80 set up G`fords 269 for 3 off 45 overs...surely a winning score. Nobody told Chirk. They lost the first three bats for just 14 runs and never lost another one scoring the winning run with one ball left.(54.5 overs)  Great game . Sundat saw the a friendly team play at Barnton...nobody at the time of writing seems to know what happened in this game! Meanwhile at Gresford NE WAles U15`s were playeing Cardiff and the Vale in what proved to be a close finish with Cardiff winning by two wks in the penultimate over. Gresford`s Chris Mulloch with 48 was NEW best bat and Jacob Roberts arguably the best bowler. Lots of other fun in this game as well!! (AND THE TEAS WERE BRILL)                                                                                                      

Monday 8th July

The week ...again hot and sunny started with the U11`s losing narrowly at Llay. The U13`s had a comfortable win at Gwersyllt (full details in the meet the teams section) whilst the u15`s had a good 9 wk win over Malpas. The bowling star was undoubtedly Ryan Williams who took 4 wks in 4 balls...remarkable! (first two bowled then two good catches) Matt Thompson and Jacob Roberts completed the win with 40+ knocks. Sunday saw only one U9 match... lost to Malpas. The U13`s had their trip to Newport ...see above.

Saturday NWCL matches featured our friends and league leaders from Llay. They were asked to bat and put on 214 for 8 in 45 overs. Alex Ellwood`s superb 112no and good support from Arthur Thomas saw G`ford reach this total for the loss of 3 wks. Excellent win. The 2nds game was a Sunday home match vs Shotton 1sts. An equally emphatic win ensued...Shotton were bowled out for 157 with 15 year old Harry Morris recording best ever figures of 5 for 15 off 10. Jack Bunkell and fellow opener Andy Thomas saw the home team off to a good start with 40+ each allowing Steve Griffin and George Morris to complete the job. A 6 wk win July 15th . The good weather continues with U13`s an 11`s winning their games against Malpas and Marchweil with the U9`s losing narrowly to LLay and Malpas. Senior cricket went well with the midweek team maintaining their top spot with a win over HSBC. In the NWCL the 1sts gained a surprisingly easy win over Conwy at home . The visitors were dismissed for 131 with all 7 bowlers claiming at least one wk. In too the Ellwoods just 24 overs to complete a home win (Alex 54, Chris 45no). The 2nds had an excellent last ball win at M Isa. This at times bad tempered affair saw Harry Morris take 4 wks in the Isa innings of 194. Runs from Andy Thomas and Matt Thompson at the start and late runs from Ian Weaver and Sam Cooper gave G`ford a 1 wk win. Sunday saw the friendly side return to Boughton Hall for the first tim ein many years. A 30 over a side resulted in a narrow defeat for the visitors.Daddy Ellwood leading the run scoring...a proper batsman in the family at last.                                                                   JULY 22nd  The highlight of the week was undoubtedly the performance of the 2nds against Mold. In particular Chris Mullock`s debut hundred (110). George Morris 73no also helped the 2nds reach 254 for 5. They then bowled Mold out for 37, John Williams taking 7 for 15 off 12. Meanwhile the 1st team were finding it hard work to see off Pontblyddyn. Pont scored 163 for 5 off 45 overs (JB 3 for 30 off 12). G`ford lost wks regularly eventually getting home for the loss of 7 wks in 48 overs, (Matt Cree topscoring with a patient 42) Midweek success continued with a 30 run win at Carmel (Paddy Richards 50), a result which secures a league win and promotion. Unfortunately the Les Tunnah finals were disrupted by rain and will be rearranged. Rain also forced the cancellation of the Sunday friendly with Dodleston.  Youth games played this week included an 80 run win for the U15`s at Gwersyllt (Gres 161 for 1!), the U11`s won at Malpas and a win and loss for the u9`s (Lost to Chirk and won at Gwersyllt)                                                          The last week of July saw the delivery of our covers and the end on the drought..timing! The other highlight of the week was Arthur Thomas` 90+ no in the midweek top of the table clash with Chester Lions. Replying to the Lions 160, AT led the reply to give G`ford a 6 wk win. Arthur`s good form continued in the 1sts NWCL match vs Marchweil. Chasing 146 (SP 4 wks) Arthur and Chris Ellwood, both with 40+ gave the homeside a 5 wk win . The 2nds had a much tighter game, winning by 1 wk at Brymbo. Nicky Clare`s 3 for 35 helped restrict Brymbo to 133 all out. George Morris (52) and Jack Bunkell (24) dominated the G`ford score. Sunday friendly was cancelled! Youth team games were scarce with a win for the U9`s at Brymbo and the 11`s at Gwersyllt        

Week starting 5thAugust. With youth team games fading away it was left to the U9`s to provide the entertainment with two wins on Sunday against Pont at home and Malpas away. The u13`s an u 15`s as league winners are preparing for finals day at Brymbo (18thAug), to help the U15`s provided the bulk of the midweek team who completed their league winning season with a 15 run win at Wirral. Well done to Danny Williams and all who have played in the C & DML this season.

In the NWCL the 1sts travelled to Menai Bridge (2 hours to get there, one to get back). The home side opted to bat but could only manage 114 for 9 of 48 overs (J Bell and C Ellwood , 3 wks each). G`ford stay third in the league after completing the win for the loss of 4 wks (Chris E 59no). Also going third in their league are the 2nds after a massive 153 run win over St Asaph. Joe Benson 49, George Morris 45 and Matt Daulby 38no the main scorers in  G `fords 254 for 7 . Daulby then went on to get 6 for 21 off 9.4 overs in his m of the m performance.  

Saturday 24th August.

First's travelled to Pwllheli in a 2nd vs. 3rd promotion decider. Put into bat on a slow wicket Gresford stuttered to 110/5 but an excellent half century from Danny Williams with support from Henry Makings and Andy Thomas saw Gresford reach 187ao in 51 overs. That left Pwllheli 49 overs to chase down the total. Sean Richards struck early for Gresford but Rehman and Cooper took Pwllheli to witihn 70 runs of victory with 18 overs and 9 wickets in hand. Rehman was stumped brilliantly by Makings which triggered a fightback that saw Pwllheli creeping over the line with just 7 balls and 3 wickets to spare.

The 2nd XI seem to enjoy a close finish and again came out on top in a tight situation. Llangollen batted first and were bowled out for 126 . Harry Morris 3 wickets, Jack Bunkell and Dan Griffin two apiece. In reply Gresford got off to a good start with Dave Baker hitting 25 and Chris Mullock 22. From there Gresford lost wickets regularly before Griffin Junior (13no) and Sam Cooper (7no) held their nerve to win by 2 wickets. The result leaves the 2nds 16 behind Denbigh who they play on Monday. They also have a game in hand.

Sunday saw the firsts take on Llay in the semi final of the Les Tunnah. Batting first, Gresford hit 216-4. Matty Cree with a stunning 100no, Chris Ellwood hit a quickfire 40 as Gresford amassed a huge total. In reply, Llay never got going and Paddy Richards' 4 wickets saw the game effictively over before Simon Perry (2), Danny Williams (2) and Joe Benson (1) closed the game out.

In the final, Brymbo batted first and got off to a flyer reaching 80/1 off 8 overs. Spin from Joe Benson (3-34 off 4) and Simon Perry (2-16 off 4) put the brakes on and Brymbo collapsed to 138-8 off 17. A handy partnership saw Brymbo reach 158-8 off their 20 overs. Gresford's fielding was excellent, but they will have been disappointed in giving away 23 runs in wides.

Things would be tough in reply with James Claybrook hard to get away. Gresford threatened to take the game away from Brymbo with Cree and skipper Ellwood both looking in good form but some stunning catching from Brymbo saw Gresford behind the rate. A late flurry from Sean Richards got Gresford close, but they fell 25 runs short.

Saturday 17th Aug. For the first time this season the rains came. The 2nds didn`t bother going to Bala and the 1sts only managing half a game against LLandudno. G`ford got to 174 for 6 dec off 45 overs (Joe Benson 48no and Alex Ellwood 35). Sunday saw the sunshine return and with both our U13`s and U15`s playing in the NE Wales JDC finals. The U13 game vs Northop Hall was a one sided affair with Gresford winning by 10 wks having bowled NH out for just 64.....full report in the `meet the teams section`. The U15 game vs Nothop was much more exiting! G1ford batting first reached a very impressive 150 for 3 off 20 overs (Jacob Roberts 28, Matt Thompson 26 Lewis williams 23 and Chris Mulloch 44no). The Northop reply started well and a Gresford win looked increasingly unlikely until the spin og Simon Bent and the pace of Charlie Maclosky put a break on the Northop run chase. They finished 12 runs short. Well done to all involved in both games...Mochdre on the 15th Sept for The N Wales finals . 

 Week starting Monday 26th Aug....                                                                       

On Bank Holiday Monday the 2nds entertained promtion chasing Denbigh and recorded an emphatic 60 run win. The Benson brothers, with 40+ runs each started things off to be followed by 61 from Bunks and 32 from Chris Mullock...233 scored. Harry Morris then destroyed the Denbigh batting with 4 for 20 off 10. The 2nds followed on Saturday with an even better win over league leaders Carmel. Chasing 188, Ian Weaver (84no) and skipper Steve Griffin (65no) ensured a 9 wk win to keep their team in with a chance of promotion.  Meanwhile the 1sts travelled to table topping Bangor...probably not expecting too much from the game, certainly an 80 run win seemed unlikely. Gresford managed 172 with Danny Williams (40) and Chris Ellwood (51) leading run makers. It was the bowlers who won the match. Wks were shared as Bangor were all out for 98. Special mention goes to Owain Walker (one handed catch), Neil Ellwood (sledging!) and Alex Quinn (for being there!)    

The penultimate weekend of the season saw the 1sts entertain Bodedern. Batting first G`ford reached 166 allout with Sean Richards 56 the dominant innings. Wks were shared in the Bod `n reply and they were out for just 92. A good win. On Sunday the 2nds continued their remarkable run of results with an 8 wk win over Conwy who were bowled out for just  65 ( Nicki Clare 5 for 20 and Harry Morris 3 for 14) Steve Griffin 31no and Andy Thomas 24 saw G`ford home. This result makes next weeks game against LLay an interesting affair.....2 points more than Denbigh needed!    

14th Sept

CONGRATULATIONS TO STEVE G and all the second team players. An 8 wk over Llay and Denbighs defeat at St Asaph secured Gresford`s promotion to Div 2 of the NWCL. The game itself was a low scoring affair with Llay bowled out for 93 (Nicky Clare and Harry Morris with 5 and 3 wks respectively). Ian W`s 33no ensured a comfortable win....and then an anxious wait for news from St Asaph...... a good night ensued! The 1st team game at Buckley is best forgotten...put in on an interesting wk G` ford were quickly 5 down for just 20 runs, eventually to all out for 107. As the wk dried out Buckley eventually reached 110 for 4..off 40 overs!

Sept and a glorious day it was. Weather warm and dry, perfect for the early morning loaming party. Then many went off to Llandudno for the N Wales Junior cricket finals. NE take on NW Wales at U11, 13 and 15 age groups. Northop Hall beat Mochdre in the opening U11`s final then it was Gresford`s turn. The U13`s put in a commanding performance to beat Llanrwst..full report in the `meet the teams section`` and then  the U15`s took on home favourites Llandudno. Batting first G`ford reached 156 with man of the match Chris Mullock`s 50no the highlight of the day. Other good contributions came from (the vocal) Lewis Williams, Charlie Mclosky and Tom Webb. After a good start to the bowling, a wobble in the middle overs gave Llan an outside chance and it was fitting that opening bowlers Sam Cooper and skipper Harry Morris saw Gresford home to a 20 run win. A great day for both teams and for the large group of supporters that watched. A fitting end to a very successful youth team season at Gresford.