Young cricketers in Denbighshire chalked up a thrilling win against local rivals in a nail-biting finish which saw them get home with just seven balls to spare.
It was a fine win for Ruthin Under-13s and they certainly look the part when they take the field against St Asaph thanks to a sponsorship from fast-growing local law firm Swayne Johnson which has seen them kitted out in smart new white shirts.
Swayne Johnson boast their own cricketing heritage just up the road at Denbigh where the firm has a long association with the town club and an early partner, Guy Francis, played with the legendary W G Grace for Gloucestershire in the 1880s.
Ruthin wicket-keeper/batsman Llyr Williams, who, along with Daniel Longhurst, coaches the Under-13s, said: “We’re very grateful to Swayne Johnson for their donation which ensures that the Under-13s look and feel good when they take the field.
“The junior sides have been growing and we now run teams at Under-9, Under-11, Under-13 and Under-15 and for the first time we have fielded an Under-14 girls team as well.
“We play in the North Wales Junior League and although there are only six teams it is also growing in strength and we’re looking forward to seeing our young players progress through and hopefully play for the 1st XI one day.
“We have over 60 playing every week with matches on Thursday evenings and practice on Fridays.
“The Under-13s are improving steadily and have chalked up a couple of wins against good opposition including a thriller against St Asaph when we recovered from two wickets down with just three on the board to win with seven balls to spare.”
The presentation of the shirts to the Under-13s was made by Swayne Johnson Director Caryl Vaughan whose two sons, Mabon and Eben, both play for the Under-13s.
Mabon guided Ruthin to victory against St Asaph with 18 not out after some hard-hitting batting at the top of the order from Harri Edwards with two sixes and five fours in his 35.
Caryl said: “It is lovely to go to the cricket – there’s a real community spirit there, especially on a Friday night when all the age groups are there with the parents.
“This is the first year there has been a girls team and they’re doing well and the coaches do a fantastic job of organising everything.
“My boys love it and they’ve been really lucky with the work that the volunteers at the club put in. There’s a lot of time and effort involved and we’re very lucky so it’s nice for us as a firm to be able to help out.”
