Cricket: Ruthin survival gets a boost

Aug 27 2008 By Dave Jones

BERSHAM (3) 121 RUTHIN (7) 163-7

RUTHIN (3) 49-1 PWLLHELI (3) 152-7 – ABANDONED

NORTH WALES LEAGUE DIVISION TWO

IT was a bank holiday Monday to remember for Ruthin as they emerged from their tough assignment at division two leaders Bersham with a 7-3 victory which did wonders for their hopes of avoiding the dreaded drop.

Put into bat, Ruthin’s top order all made a good start, Tim Green scoring 19 on his birthday, but the first four all got out to smart bowling before they could progress into the 20s.

The visitors were feeling the pressure when Adam Robson came in to bat at 65 for four.

Skipper Rhys Hilditch (22) played well to steady the ship with Robson, setting up an exciting end to the innings.

Llyr Williams (14) came in to add a valuable 40-run ninth wicket partnership with Robson who accelerated well and ended up with a brilliant maiden half century.

The visitors eventually finished with 163 for seven, which looked a little bit short for a Bersham wicket, but gave the bowlers something to bowl at.

Ruthin made the best possible start, John Tudor trapping the home side’s star opening batsman Amaroon lbw for only five.

Tudor carried on with an impressive spell, unlucky only to take one more wicket from his economical 12 overs, going for just 28 runs.

Owen Hughes starred once again with the ball, taking four valuable wickets, but it was man of the match Robson who dismissed veteran opener Nigel Woodfine, with Rhys Hughes pouching a stunning catch on the boundary.

Llyr Williams scooped the other two Bersham wickets for 20, whilst Steve Bryan-Jones completed an excellent day in the field for Ruthin with a lightning quick run out adding to two smart catches.

Each player played their part in dismissing the home side for their lowest total in three years, completing a memorable double over their fellow division three promotion rivals from last season.

Match ball sponsor: H T Hughes Sawmills.

On Saturday, Ruthin were denied a live victory chance over high-flyers Pwllheli.

Having restricted the opposition to 152 for seven, the Vale side were 49 for one in reply with 25 overs left to make another 104 before the rain intervened.