Three wins on the spin
04-07-10
Carmel's First XI kept themselves among the North Wales Cricket League Division Two promotion contenders with a 31-run win over Corwen at Pen-y-Gelli.
After losing the toss Carmel were surprisingly put into bat on a superb track but the opposition's decision looked vindicated as the hosts slipped to 16/2.
Skipper Danny Oliver (25) and middle-order stalwart Nick Washbrook (46) held the innings together in typical fashion as the score moved past the hundred mark.
Dafydd Bailey (20) then chipped in with a brisk knock while Jonathan Hunter (13) also reached double figures but Carmel's tail failed to wag as the last four wickets fell for just 17 runs to see the hosts bowled out for 151 in the final over.
The total looked gettable but a fired-up Carmel attack stepped up to the plate to rattle Corwen out for 120 in the 34th over.
Hunter (3-38) led the way with wickets but an all-round team effort saw Michael Harrison (2-22), Steve 'Scooter' Jones (2-19) and Christopher Davies (2-18) all chip in with two wickets apiece. Full scorecard here...
The 7-3 points split gave Carmel's First XI their third win in a row and saw them climb up to fifth place after 11 rounds of matches - six points behind second placed Menai Bridge.