Bails never fails
18-04-10
Dafydd Bailey struck a superb 83 as Carmel & District Cricket Club slipped to a 42-run defeat against Hawarden Park in a pre-season friendly at the Castle Ground.
The teenager hit 39 against Bangor University on Saturday and followed it up with a boundary-laden innings to take his weekend tally of runs to 122.
Skipper Barry Mcgauty lost the toss and Hawarden opted to bat in cloudy conditions at the scenic private ground on the Gladstone estate.
The home side quickly found their feet despite some disciplined bowling from Chris Davies who deservedly got a wicket towards the end of his spell when Nick Washbrook claimed a smart slip catch.
Derek Johnson also struck before drinks as he removed one of the openers plumb in front to leave Hawarden 100/2 at the break.
Johnson proved Carmel's inspiration with the ball and Carmel bounced back in the second half of Hawarden's innings with the all-rounder claiming 4-32 with Timothy Abraham and Bailey taking good catches.
The initiative, however, was lost somewhat in the final 10 overs as Carmel struggled to remove the final three batsmen before they eventually dismissed the hosts for 223.
Carmel’s innings got off to poor start as Gareth Roberts fell without scoring but the irrepressible Bailey seized the game by the scruff of the neck as he peppered the boundary.
Bailey brought up his half-century with a trademark pull while Jon Fisher helped anchor the innings as he ground out a patient 30 to take Carmel to 92/1 at drinks.
Fisher edged one to the wicketkeeper and his dismissal prompted a collapse as several other batsmen came and went for single-figure scores.
Loughborough University student Bailey was eventually out when he was trapped lbw having fallen 17 runs short of his maiden century and six short of his personal best of 89.
Johnson (13), Dafydd (10) and Mcgauty (13 not out) all chipped in with lower-order contributions but the run-rate proved beyond Carmel as they were bowled out for 181 in the 41st over. Full scorecard here...