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Gresford look to make it three out of three in big clash

Gresford look to make it three out of three in big clash

Leader Live02-05-2025

Relegated from the Premier Division last summer, Gresford have opened their Division One tilt with back-to-back triumphs. Next up is tomorrow's home clash with last season's champions Northop Seconds. Skipper Josh Knowles said: 'It's been a good start to the season, getting two wins from two. We have managed to get a consistent squad out, which is always a positive.'
While promotion would be the main aim, Knowles is quick to stress that it's not the be all and end all this summer.
'Promotion would be great, but we want to help new players come through and get experience,' he added.
'We feel that we have a very good bowling attack that is a balance with both pace and spin.'
Looking ahead to tomorrow, Knowles, who welcomes Danny Williams and Tom Crewe back into the line-up, said: 'Northop are the reigning champions, so we are always going to be cautious. We are just looking forward to having a good game!'
Hawarden Park and Halkyn have also won both of their matches. Park host Connah's Quay, while Halkyn go to leaders Llandudno. Mold face a long trek to Bangor Seconds and Pontblyddyn welcome Brymbo Seconds.
Other fixture: Dolgellau v Mochdre 2nds.
Division Two: Abergele v Corwen; Llanrwst v Marchwiel and Wrexham; Menai Bridge 2nds v Buckley; Pwllheli v Pontblyddyn 2nds; Ruthin v Carmel & District; St Asaph 2nds v Llay.
Division Three: Bersham v Llandudno 2nds; Bethesda 2nds v Hawarden Park 2nds; Buckley 2nds v Gwersyllt Park 2nds; Caernarfon v Abergele 2nds; Denbigh 2nds v Conwy 2nds; Mold 2nds v Gresford 2nds.
Division Four: Carmel & District 2nds v Hawarden Park 3rds; Bala v Llanrwst 2nds; Connah's Quay 2nds v Dolgellau 2nds; Halkyn 2nds v Ruthin 2nds; Marchwiel and Wrexham 2nds v Pwllheli 2nds; Mynydd Isa & Maeshafn v Brymbo 3rds.
Northop Hall are looking to get their Liverpool Competition season up and running away to Norley Hall tomorrow.
Ben Slater's side opened their summer with a 24-run loss to Ainsdale and the skipper said: 'I think if we had wickets in hand, we would have gone on to win. But, unfortunately, some relatively poor shot selection let us down.'
Paul Jenkins, James Hurlin and Carwyn Johnson impressed with the ball for Hall and looking ahead to tomorrow, Slater added: 'They're a strong team. They are always up and there or thereabouts. They're a team I think will be up there.
'These are the ones that end up being double-pointers come the end of the season. I think it's key for us. Once we get that first win, I feel we will be okay.'
Matty Jones is back in the Northop Hall ranks. Hall Seconds host Bootle Seconds.
In the Shropshire League, a first triumph is also the target for Chirk.
After a five-wicket loss to Wellington Seconds, Chirk are looking forward to tomorrow's trip to Broseley.
Chirk Seconds are at home to Whittington in Division Seven.

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Things are going so well for Northop Hall and Chirk sides
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Things are going so well for Northop Hall and Chirk sides

Following on from a testing start to the campaign, Chirk have picked up back-to-back triumphs in the Shropshire League. Meanwhile, Northop Hall are targeting promotion from Division Two of the Liverpool Competition and after losing out in their first contest of the summer, Ben Slater's side have triumphed in each of their match-ups since then. Last time out, it was a North Wales derby triumph for Hall in their meeting against Prestatyn. Paul Jenkins was on the money with a four for one return as Prestatyn were skittled for just 69. 'It was just job done in the end,' said captain Ben Slater. 'It was quite humid, so the ball was swinging early. But after 15 overs, that died down.' Northop Hall head to Stockport Trinity seeking to bag their fifth win on the bounce and keep them within sight of the promotion places. Slater is taking nothing for granted and he stressed: 'Southport Trinity will be a decent outfit. 'We have always had good competition when we've gone there. They do know how to win.' Matty Jones, who is enjoying a great season with the bat, returns to Northop Hall's line-up. Northop Hall Seconds will aim to make the most of home comforts as they tackle Spring View Seconds. A more settled side is playing its part in an upturn of fortunes for Chirk, who go to Shifnal Seconds tomorrow in Division One of the Shropshire League. 'It's two out of two and it's been two good games,' said skipper Liam Walker. 'We played really well on Saturday versus Frankton. 'We have bowled and fielded well in the last couple of weeks. Having a full side has certainly made a difference.' Looking to follow up wins over Oswestry and Frankton with another success, Walker added: 'I think Shifnal will be strong. They're always a decent side. They have got some good experience there and we are looking forward to it. We think we will be okay team wise.' Chirk Seconds host Quatt Thirds.

Brymbo's tight win against Northop goes down to the wire
Brymbo's tight win against Northop goes down to the wire

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Brymbo's tight win against Northop goes down to the wire

A week after they cracked over 400 runs in a big win at Bethesda, things were just as exciting for Brymbo in a tight two-wicket triumph over Northop. It was the visitors who made first use of the batting track and their 50 overs yielded 278 for six. Opener Elliot Colclough hit a sparking 107 for Northop, supported by Jordan Evans (34), skipper Bart Ryan-Beswick (31) and Matthew Mullarkey (30 not out). Joe Norman snapped up two wickets for Brymbo, whose well-timed chase got to 279 for eight off the penultimate delivery. Chris Taylor (117) and Johandre Barnard (71) were pivotal to the triumph, putting together a 150-run stand for the second wicket. Colclough (3-22) completed a fine all-round showing. Gwersyllt Park are 17 points clear of the drop zone following an eight-wicket success at home to Conwy, who were dismissed for just 93. Jack Billington (3-25), Iroshan De Silva (2-0), Lewis Cole (2-18) and Cai Pearson (2-28) impressed for Park, who replied with 94 for two (Ryan Collier 41, Jake James 38 not out). Joe Chaplin (70) starred as defending champions Mochdre made sure of a 23-run victory versus leaders Bangor (Nathanael Scott 62, Jamie Grimshaw 50), while St Asaph eased to a 53-run win over Menai Bridge. Elsewhere, Denbigh thrashed Bethesda by 10 wickets. It's five wins out of five for impressive Hawarden Park and Halkyn in Division One. Leaders Park made sure of a six-wicket outcome at Pontblyddyn, who were restricted to 136 for six (Cayo Jones 58). Philip Bradfield's knock of 41 helped Hawarden Park to 139 for four. Opener Matthew Towey hit a terrific 106 not out in Halkyn's 215 for six (Gareth Edwards 3-12), before hosts Bangor Seconds responded with 189 for nine (Jamie Davies 63, Nathan Roett 3-42). Mold moved into fourth position on the back of their three-wicket success at Gresford, who were all out for 140 (Daniel Williams 57, Munowar Samsodien 3-24, Richard Crane 3-30). Jon Crane's unbeaten 35 was crucial in Mold's winning 141 for seven (Tom Crewe 5-35). Despite the best efforts of Adam De Rycke (75 not out) and Sion Edwards (3-53), Brymbo Seconds lost out by four wickets versus Llandudno (Keegan Armstrong 86 not out), while Northop Seconds were defeated by six wickets versus Mochdre Seconds. In further action, Luke Bennett (55 not out and 3-20) starred as Connah's Quay beat Dolgellau by nine wickets. Mali Auty (3-14) also impressed for Quay. CRICKET SCOREBOARD Division Two: Carmel & District 132 Marchwiel and Wrexham 135-8; Llanrwst 90 Buckley 95-0; Llay 140-2 Pwllheli 136; Menai Bridge 2nds 209-5 St Asaph 2nds 213-8; Pontblyddyn 2nds 90 Abergele 265-5; Ruthin 49 Corwen 190. Division Three: Abergele 2nds 126 Llandudno 2nds 274-3; Bersham 107-5 Caernarfon 106; Bethesda 2nds 254-6 Gresford 2nds 156-5; Buckley 2nds 114-8 Denbigh 2nds 113; Mold 2nds 160 Hawarden Park 2nds 162-5. Division Four: Bala 211-8 Pwllheli 2nds 221-6; Connah's Quay 2nds 174 Bersham 2nds 178-6; Marchwiel and Wrexham 2nds 124 Carmel & District 2nds 143-7; Mynydd Isa & Maeshafn 165-3 Llanrwst 2nds 164-5.

Plenty of big encounters in the North Wales Cricket League
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Gresford, who lost their unbeaten record with a defeat at the hands of defending Division One champions Northop Seconds last time out, will head to unbeaten Halkyn for their next match-up. For Gresford skipper Josh Knowles, it's all about batsmen profiting when they are out in the middle. He said: 'We need to bat the situations better. Unfortunately, we lost wickets at regular intervals (against Northop) and couldn't build positive partnerships to get to a score that could be defendable.' While that loss sees Gresford in fourth place in the standings, Halkyn are third after winning all three of their opening encounters this season. Knowles, who will welcome Cam Evans and Toby Bellis back into the line-up, added: 'Halkyn are a good side and that showed with their win over Llandudno last weekend. We will be tested.' Leading the way at this early stage of the campaign are Hawarden Park and they play host to Northop Seconds looking to make it four wins out of four. Victories should push Mold and Connah's Quay into the top half of the table, but both sides have tough match-ups. Mold are at home to second-placed Dolgellau, while Quay welcome Llandudno, who were relegated from the top flight last summer. Brymbo Seconds will look to make home comforts count versus Bangor Seconds and Pontblyddyn are away to Mochdre Seconds.

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