IF it’s close contests you were after, look no further than the action in Division Two.
Three encounters went ahead during the opening weekend of action, and the most comfortable winning margin was just 13 runs.
Looking at the closest tussle first and Pontblyddyn Seconds just about held their nerve to pip Carmel & District by two runs.
Jack Deary’s unbeaten knock of 35 was crucial to Pontblyddyn’s effort of 100 all out.
Dafydd Timothy claimed a four for 14 for Carmel, who were then agonisingly dismissed for 98.
Ethan Roberts, Christian Wrathall and David Brilley took two wickets apiece.
Continuing the theme of close matches was Corwen’s 13-run success at home to Marchwiel and Wrexham.
Corwen were all out for 110, with Rob Storey (54) supplying almost half of the total.
Muhammad Ghufran (3-15) and Scott Lawrenson (2-7) were in good form with the ball for Marchwiel and Wrexham, who could reach only 97 in their batting effort.
Sam Shoemark’s 24 led the way, as Storey snapped up three for 12.
The other match saw St Asaph Seconds defeat hosts Bangor Seconds by 12 runs.
Close encounters continued into Division Three, where Gwersyllt Park pipped Denbigh Seconds by one wicket.
Michael Griffiths claimed three wickets for Park, while there were two apiece for Grant Hewitt, Ted Pearson and Ryan McCarthy.
In the derby clash, Mold Seconds gained a five-wicket win at Buckley Seconds, who were all out for 73 (Mathew Edge 43, Chris Boulton 5-14, Keith Embleton 3-7). Mold replied with 75 for five.
Connah’s Quay Seconds were on the wrong end of a 10-wicket defeat at Ruthin.
What a day it was for Ruthin’s Charlie Russell, who took four wickets in four balls and 7-4 overall in Quay’s 26 all out. Ruthin made sure of maximum points with 30 without loss.
In further action, Bethesda Seconds won by nine runs at Conwy Seconds.
Two matches went ahead in Division Four, with Marchwiel and Wrexham Seconds beginning their campaign courtesy of a comfortable 96-run win over Llandudno Seconds.
Darshana Sanjeewa (79) and Nick Husbands (50) hit the ground running in the home side’s 187 for four, while Anthony Morris (4-13) and Cheyenne Walker (3-11) helped to dismiss Llandudno for 91.
Bersham Seconds’ bowlers were to the fore in an 85-run triumph over Abergele Seconds, who were all out for 23 (Santhu Kj 4-3, Midhun Ashok 3-2).
Earlier, Salastine Paily (30) top scored in Bersham’s 108 (Ebin Sebastian 4-24).
North Wales’ over-50s’ team lost out by 90 runs versus Cheshire Seconds in their first ever match.
Andy Bennion’s 100 not out helped Cheshire to amass 244 for eight.
Stewart Williams (3-41) was the leading bowler for North Wales, who replied with 154 all out (Jon Eccles 55, James Collier 37, David Lees 5-9).
North Wales will host Shropshire Seconds at Connah’s Quay tomorrow.
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