Students victorious
17-04-10
Carmel & District Cricket Club First XI were given a strong workout ahead of their North Wales Cricket League campaign as they went down to a seven-wicket defeat to Bangor University.
Stand-in skipper Dafydd Timothy won the toss and elected to bat in sunny conditions at Bethesda Cricket Club but it was the students who drew first blood as Carmel lost openers Mike Jones (14) and Gareth Hughes (1) to slip to 37/2 off the first 10 overs.
Will Loveland looked well set as he reached 18 before he was caught and Carmel collapsed to 49/4 when Gwion Dafydd (0) was bowled without scoring.
But Dafydd Bailey steadied the ship along with Gareth Roberts as the pair took Carmel past the century-mark without any further loss. Roberts (15) and Bailey (39) enjoyed a half-century stand before both fell in quick succession.
Wickets continued to fall at regular intervals but Michael Harrison, who finished unbeaten on 19, rotated the strike with the tail end as Carmel were eventually dismissed for 157.
Experienced seamer Steve 'Scooter' Jones struck early in the Bangor innings as the students lost their first wicket with the score on 21, but despite a brave effort in the field the University side began to accelerate.
Carmel's bowling options were reduced when Oliver Saynor suffered an ankle injury which forced him off the field and 12th man Chris Davies was called into action.
Teenage paceman Matthew Prescott was able to peg the Uni side back as he claimed a further two wickets but Bangor remained in control to reach the total without any further loss. Full scorecard here...