MONTGOMERYSHIRE’S season ended with a heavy 124 run defeat at Connah’s Quay Cricket Club on Sunday.
Not even an unbeaten knock of 95 from captain Stephen Davies could prevent Montgomeryshire’s crushing defeat.
Their confident Flintshire hosts started brightly and scored at a rate of a run a ball during the opening 10 overs before Martin Williams (21) was caught by Tom Goodman off Dave Laird (1-40.)
Captain Martin Burger set about the Montgomeryshire bowling with zest and added 25 before being bowled by Simon Jones.
Opener David Fox followed his captain back to the pavilion when he was caught for 41 runs by James Wynne off Newtown’s John Anthony (1-45) to leave Flintshire on 87-1.
Jones completed his 2-65 with the dismissal of Darren Peters (three) only to bring together Darren Jones and Mike Littler in a 96 run fifth wicket stand.
The partnership ended when Jones (36) was removed by Ed Kneale with Flintshire now on 192-4.
Littler soon followed when caught for 80 by Tom Goodman at square leg off Montgomery all-rounder Aaron Ruff-Cock (1-59.)
The tail end wagged with a vengeance as Ryan Holloway (12), Darren Leach (18) and Dave North (34no) carved the wilting bowlers to push Flintshire to 288-8.
Ed Kneale (3-41) was the pick of the Montgomeryshire attack with Simon Jones, of Llanidloes (2-65), taking key wickets.
Montgomeryshire suffered a disastrous start to their reply and lost three wickets inside the first 15 overs.
Dave Laird was caught and bowled for a duck by Holloway who also removed Tom Foulkes for a duck.
Holloway’s (4-38) swinging ball also removed Welshpool’s Joe Birch (13) to leave Montgomeryshire on just 34-4.
North (4-59) accounted for the middle order to leave surviving opener Stephen Davies running short of support.
Tailenders James Wynne (14) and Ally Laird (13) offered cameo roles before last man Anthony (11) was removed by Leach (1-26) as Montgomeryshire fell for 164 and an end of season defeat.