Cricket: Denbigh 2nds get back to winning ways

Aug 13 2008 By Dave Jones

DENBIGH 2NDS 190-6 CASTELL ALUN 144

DIVISION THREE

DENBIGH WON 7-3

A WELCOME return to winning ways for Denbigh 2nds as they overcame Castell Alun in the only game to be played in division three.

Despite the morning rain Ystrad Road hosted a fine match on Saturday and there were plenty of reasons to be cheerful for Denbigh with some outstanding performances with bat and ball.

Just as last week at Menai Bridge, the Vale side lost the toss and found themselves taking first knock on a damp track, but this time the home batsmen managed to get themselves in and make the most of the conditions on a pitch conducive to batting.

After dipping to 34 for three, Denbigh battled on to seize the initiative.

John Lee Rowlands and David Roberts added 63 for the fourth wicket with Rowlands in typically explosive form, smashing the ball to all parts on his way to 50 from just 49 balls including a huge maximum onto the roof of the nets.

Roberts then played the support role with Steve Usher as the pair added 53 for the fifth wicket. Roberts’ 32 took him past 300 runs for the season and Usher reached 39 before holing out attempting another six.

Danny Hopkins (20 not out) helped the visitors set a challenging 190 for six off 45 overs.

Buoyed by a good total to defend, there was certainly a spring in the step of Denbigh opening bowlers Rana Das and Stuart Moulden.

Moulden (one for 27 from nine) in particular found extra pace and bounce giving Alun opener Mike Arden plenty to think about before bowling him with a perfect delivery that nipped back to clip the top of middle.

The nippy Moulden was also unlucky not to claim the wicket of danger-man David Lloyd (39) as he looked to have trapped him plumb in front only to see his appeal turned down.

Rowlands was the man to remove Lloyd, however, tempting him to take one too many steps down the wicket and clean bowling him leg stump for a pleasing dismissal.

After that success it proved to be the Richard Harding show once more with the all-rounder demonstrating his knack of claiming cheap wickets with swing and seam by scooping three for 39.

Rowlands weighed in with two for 29 from 12 hostile overs as Castell were dismissed for 144.

Match ball sponsor: Hope and Anchor.