Match day, week 2 for the Carmel 1st XI saw the team heading to the picturesque market town of Ruthin. Following the incredible last ball win at Mold the week before, a good win here would see the 1’s head to the top of the league.

On first Inspection the pitch looked a good one for this early in the season. Having won the toss the week before, skipper Ben lost the toss and Carmel were given the ball.

On a much warmer but still overcast day it was clear from ball one that there was definitely something in it for the bowlers with both Connor Hughes (2-24) and Danny Owens (1-26) bowling tight stuff getting the ball to move in the air and off the pitch. What was also clear was that the decent looking pitch was definitely a little two paced with some varied bounce.

Some tight bowling and equally tight fielding saw the first 20 overs go for just 54 runs with 3 wickets lost following a superb run out from Ben Davies and some magic catching from Ieuan Jones.

Following the drinks break, Ruthin were clearly feeling the pressure and tried to put their foot down. But with Amer Jamil turning the ball sideways at one end it was time for Ieuan Jones to come on and bowl what can only be described as a first class spell of swing bowling. The combination of AJ and Ieuan saw Ruthin crumble to 69 all out with AJ taking 1-7 whilst Jones took a breathtaking 5-8 off 5 overs with bails tumbling left right and centre.

So an early, and quick, tea was taken and it was Carmel’s turn to bat. By now the pitch was definitely showing signs of varied bounce and the Ruthin bowlers were doing their part to make it tight.

Danny Owens (16) and Ben Sim (8) put on 27 before Sim was out caught bowled. Jonathan fisher (9*) came to the crease shortly before Danny Owens was trapped LBW. Another Ben came to the crease, in the form of Ben Davies (2) who was looking good before an incredibly unfortunate stumping. The bowlers were clearly having the best of it and it was looking tight despite the small total. Neil watts (2) was next in but didn’t last long getting clean bowled by a looping away swinger.

Ryan Roberts (9*) was in next and with Carmel needing just 12 to win, the two men at the crease took the game away from Ruthin with Roberts scoring the winning runs with more than 20 overs to go.

So there you have it, Carmel went top if only for a couple of hours. And two wins out of two is a great start!

Report by Neil Watts