Cricket: Rhewl in slim defeat on anotherwise damp day

Jun 25 2008 By Dave Jones

RHEWL 137 CHIRK 138-9

NORTH WALES LEAGUE DIVISION ONE CHIRK WIN 24-6

IN the only game to be played in the North Wales League on Saturday Rhewl narrowly lost this encounter at Ruthin School, a last wicket partnership of 32 seeing Chirk over the finish line.

After losing the toss and being put in to bat, the home side had an excellent start with Jon Eccles and Chris Campbell putting on 82 for the first wicket against some difficult bowling.

When Eccles went for 22 and Campbell for a well-crafted 51, wickets fell regularly as the new batsmen found it increasingly difficult on the surface.

At 106 for eight the Vale side were wondering how they could post a score to defend, but a useful 26 from number nine Will Jones steered the tail to a challenging total of 137 all out.

For the visitors there were five wickets apiece for Nick Flack and Dave Kelshaw.

Despite the Chirk batting line-up being in good form, with Flack and Shaun Walker both scoring centuries last week, the home side felt they might have enough on the board.

Si Williams claimed an early breakthrough then Rob Eccles and Campbell tightened things up with their usual tight and accurate spin bowling.

Rhewl reduced the visitors to 106 for nine after 32 overs, but a stubborn last- wicket stand saw Chirk sneak home for the narrowest of victories.

Eccles finished with three for 19 and Campbell four for 47, as the final pair survived several vivacious appeals for lbw and two confident claims for caught behind.

After the game home skipper Gareth Morewood commented: "This is obviously a disappointing result. Despite our middle order struggling again, we felt 137 was a very competitive total on this wicket.

"We did well – especially in claiming the strong Chirk middle order cheaply – but the last wicket just didn’t fall, despite several very close calls.

"As we approach the halfway point in the season we need to ensure our batting is more consistent and our ground fielding improves. Too many mistakes cost us today.

"With an away game to Llandudno this Saturday and a home fixture against Gresford prior to the turnaround, we will target two wins to consolidate an excellent start to this year’s campaign."

With the rest of the North Wales programme cancelled, Denbigh, Ruthin and Corwen were not in action.