NORTHOP Hall chairman Paul Trickett has hailed this season as a momentous one in the club’s 100-year history even though the first team were unable to complete a memorable double on Sunday. Danny Nolan’s boys, having sealed the Division One title the previous day, were desperate to bring the Welsh Cup back to Smithy Lane 11 years after their one and only success in the competition to cap what has been a wonderful centenary year. And they seemed set to do just that going into the final over of Sunday’s rearranged showpiece showdown with Newport in Abergavenny. The superb Alex Smith (78) and skipper Nolan (30) put on a first-wicket stand of 61 which, with the help of Simon Butler (17), hoisted Hall up to 177-8 at the end of their 45 overs before Newport, at the hands of Butler (3-33), Nolan (2-24) and Ata-ur-Rehman (2-27), slumped from 70-0 to 121-8. But a brilliant unbroken partnership between young man-of-the-match Adam Millichip (43no) and Joe Thompson (20no) saw the South Walians to 181-8 with three balls remaining to claim the cup for the first time in their history. But Trickett reckons the agonising loss should not take the shine off what has been a year to remember for the club’s three senior teams. He said: “It’s been a great season. Of course we’re still upset about Sunday as we had them at 121-8, but unfortunately that’s the way cricket goes sometimes. “But we can look forward to all our teams playing in the premier divisions of their respective competitions next season after the thirds won their First Division on Saturday, which along with the first team getting to the final of Welsh Cup, adds up to a great season for the club.” The firsts will return to the Premier League as champions even though they had to settle for a draw in their final game of the campaign on Saturday against Leigh. The Lancashire visitors had nothing to play for, but that didn’t stop them from posting 205-9dec from a marathon 70-over session in which Alex Roussak (81) and England Under 15s wicketkeeper Joe Davies (41) did most of the damage with the bat, Butler (5-46) and Nolan (3-28) with the ball. Hall, in reply, got as far as 124-5 when bad light stopped play. Nolan, in what has been his first year as captain, top-scored with 35 to take his run tally for the term up to 676. Trickett said: “Danny set out to win promotion and to do well in the Welsh Cup so he has achieved both of his goals. “He’s known as a bowler but his batting has been exceptional. He’s really led by example and proved to be a fantastic captain.” Hall 2nds completed a fine first season in the Second XI Premier Division by drawing at Northern 2nds on Saturday. The fourth-placed hosts declared on 175-8 before sixth-placed Hall, for whom Ali Roberts (60) and Mike Littler (47) let loose, ran out of time on 172-8. Northop Hall’s centenary celebrations come to a close on Friday, September 26 with a gentleman’s evening at Connah’s Quay Civic Hall. Tickets cost £20 and includes guest speakers, comedians and a buffet. To book yours, contact Paul Trickett on 01244 287820. | 
Flintshire Sport 
