Jamie's on-song as Brymbo beat Connah's Quay

North Wales Cricket League weekend review

IT’S as you were at the top of the first division of the North Wales Cricket League after the games involving the leaders were cancelled because of the stormy weather.

That means Llandudno remain in pole position, well clear of Menai Bridge and Mochdre while Brymbo narrowed the gap on fourth-placed St Asaph to one point with a win at last year’s champions Connah’s Quay.

Brymbo’s 81-run victory was built on a healthy total of 215-6 in 50 overs with Jamie Griffiths making 54 and Tim Newhouse 48 to lay the foundations for the win.

In reply, the hosts were limited the Brymbo attack led by Wayne Smith and Ed Parry, who claimed 4-39 and 3-23 respectively, to help bowl out the home side for 134.

St Asaph saw their title chances take a hit as they went down to defeat at home to Mold. They fell just 17 runs short of their target after bowling out the visitors for 140.

Cliff Wiseman’s unbeaten 49 steadied the Mold ship as Andrew Bellis took 3-23 to seemingly put the hosts in control. However, three wickets for John Crane and Chris Bolton ended St Asaph’s hopes with three overs left.

Llanrwst moved further ahead of the chasing pack in division one as they saw off Gresford while Hawarden Park secured a winning draw against second-placed Llandudno 2nds.

A disciplined half-century by Trefor Williams aided Llanrwst as they managed 134-9, Simon Perry claiming 4-23. But Gresford were unable overhaul the table-toppers and, thanks to 4-42 from Alwyn Williams, Llanrwst bowled out their opponents for 113.

Arguably the innings of the day came at the Hawarden Castle Ground where the home side’s Jason Biddulph cracked a superb 124 off 95 balls in his team’s daunting total of 289-5 – his knock featured 22 fours and two sixes.

But Tom Ducker was also in the runs and he made a rapid 63 in 30 deliveries and Michael Parton scored 50 as the visitors’ bowling attack was sent packing.

Llandudno had made 190-6 by the close of play, mainly thanks to an excellent 114 from opener Sam Rimmington, with Ian Martin and Niall Amos both taking two of the wickets to fall.

Elsewhere, Chirk thrashed Pontblyddyn 2nds by 150 runs with Shaun Walker falling one run short of a century for the former as they amassed 202-9 declared.

They skittled out their rivals for a paltry 52 with Jonathan Phillips (4-9), Mark Roberts (3-7) and Nick Flack (3-7) making hay.

Only one game survived the weather in division two as Connah’s Quay 2nds beat Bersham by 28 runs. Luke Bennett’s 68 not out took Quay to 163-8 in 45 overs and that proved enough as their opponents were all out for 135.

An inspired spell of bowling from Dafydd Lewis was the standout performance at Ystrad Road as Denbigh 2nds, second in division three, kept up the pressure on leaders Ruthin. Lewis took 6-15 as his Denbigh side bowled out Hawarden Park 2nds for 85 in reply to the hosts’ 118-6.

Ruthin thrashed Llay Welfare 2nds by 10 wickets at the Memorial Ground to keep top spot, Mold 2nds beat Mynydd Isa by 19 runs and Shotton secured a timely victory against Anglesey Aluminium by 10 runs.

Meanwhile, Mochdre and Conwy are locked together at the summit of division four while Pwllheli continue to stay in front in division five.