MOCHDRE find themselves top of the North Wales Cricket League after a typically big-hitting innings from Will Evans guided them to a six wicket win over Northop.
The visitors declared on a competitive target of 182 for six, thanks largely to an unbeaten 96 from Darren Williams, with Gareth Goodson, three for 46, and Marcus Adams, two for 32, the best bowlers of the day.
The Aussie continued his impressive start to the campaign after tea, stepping in at number three to guide Mochdre past the century mark in partnership with Evans, finally departing for 40.
The star opener was again Mochdre’s main man though, hammering eleven fours and a six on his way to a 91 run knock from, eventually being caught out with Mochdre 32 shy of victory with six wickets remaining.
Gareth Davies and Adam Campion joined forces to mop up the remaining runs, and the Mochdre skipper said he was pleased with the extra maturity and quality fielding shown by his team.
“It’s been a good start from us and we’d hope to keep it going,” Campion said.
“Everyone’s been pulling their weight and we’ve had some great fielding, probably the best I’ve ever seen from our team.
“Everyone’s a year older, and has that little bit more experience - all but one of us have come through the youth system here.
"Will’s been doing his bit at the top and we’ve got good depth too; I’m batting at number five now, after opening at times last year.
“Marcus has had a good start, and his and Gareth Goodson’s bowling has been really accurate and helped us get teams under the kosh. We’re getting teams on two for twenty and under pressure early.”
Mochdre’s seconds were also victorious, crushing Llandudno’s third string by 150 runs.
Steady scoring from John Parry and Matthew Humphries, who hit 34 and 43 respectively, put Mochdre on the road to victory, before quickfire scoring from brothers Roy and Ross Stevens and Adam Buckley pumped up the total.
Ross smashed 50 from 43 balls including three fours and two sixes, backed up by 25 from 26 balls for Roy and an unbeaten 33 for Adam, as Mochdre put on 214 for six.
Llandudno’s thirds failed to get close to the target, with Danial Evans (22) and Jamie Light (19) the top scorers as they came up well short on 64 all out.
Adam Jones then took four for 31, and Ben Ashworth kept it tight with three for nine off seven overs.