SUPERB contributions from Duncan Midgley and Charlie Williams got St Asaph’s summer off to a flyer with a four-wickets home success over Colwyn Bay.

The Saints began their mini-league with Liverpool and District Competition sides across the region in fine style thanks in no small part to Midgley, who hit the ground running with a standout knock to ensure his side reached their required target with minimal fuss.

Despite the eventual result, the visitors made an impressive start to their time in the middle through opening duo Sion Morris and Ryan Westwell, who made 32 and 48 respectively before they were both ousted from the crease by Mathew Ryan.

The experienced duo of Adam Campion and Will Higginson kept the scoreboard ticking over the double-figure knocks of 30 and 28, but they were undone by Williams at the start of what ended by being a game-changing spell from the bowler.

Williams tore through the middle order in impressive fashion, taking the scalps of Will Sissons (2), Zack Gidlow (0), Bay skipper George Johansen (10), Ryan Holtby (4) and Jamie Moorhouse (2) on his way to outstanding figures of 7-37 from just eight overs.

Jason Foulkes also got in on the act with the late wicket of Kieron New (4), leaving the away side all out on 178 from 40 overs in the middle.

Opener Will Ryan made a promising start but was dismissed at the hands of Morris on 17, and things looked more promising for the Bay when Mathew Ryan and Daniel Williams were sent back to the pavilion by Campion.

The middle-order contributed some modestly, with Foulkes (16) and wicketkeeper Scott Williams the only other players to make it into double figures.

Fortunately for the Saints, Midgley proved to be a far sterner presence at the crease, with the talented batsman demonstrating his outstanding shot selection which eventually proved to be the difference.

Midgley smashed no fewer than 14 boundaries, including six sixes, to finish an exceptional innings unbeaten on 107 from just 93 deliveries, giving the home side victory with a little more than three overs to spare.