Cricket: Shock after North Wales Premier Division top two are defeated

The top two teams in the Icon Sports North Wales Cricket League Premier Division both suffered surprise defeats on their travels today.

Leaders St Asaph lost by 16 runs in a tense affair at Bangor, while Menai Bridge were outscored at Northop.

Bangor (11) 156-10 St Asaph (4) 140-10

Jonny Wells dismissed four key batsmen to help ensure Bangor’s total of 156 was enough to defeat table-toppers St Asaph at Ty Newydd.

The home side lost the toss and were put into bat, setting a modest 156 all out from 46 overs.

Skipper Matthew Haswell top-scored with 38, while for Saints, Jason Foulkes and Mathew Ryan both picked up 3-35.

In reply, Ryan and Foulkes scored 42 apiece, but the visitors crumbled to 140 all out, Wells taking 4-32, Owen Reilly 3-38 and Muhummad Ashfaq 2-22 for the hosts, who won 11-4 on points.

Northop (13) 199-8 Menai Bridge (2) 134-10

Richard Walker and Ben Beaver both struck match-turning fifties for a Northop side which eventually ran out comfortable winners over high-flying Bridge at Flint Road.

Inserted by the opposition, the hosts plummeted to 21-4 and 46-5 before a stand of 119 for the sixth wicket between Walker (69) and Beaver (50) helped guide Northop to 199-8 off 47 overs.

Dion Holden claimed an excellent 3-20 off 11 overs and Gerallt Roberts scooped 3-57 for the islanders.

Mark Poynton was then the star man with 6-28 as Menai collapsed to 134 all out, having been 62-1 and 98-2.

Luke Jones stood out with 68, while fellow opener Jack Gower made 23, but no-one else reached double figures,

Thomas Hughes (2-21) and Carwyn Johnson (2-30) providing good back-up for chief destroyer Poynton.

More Premier Division reports to follow, plus all the action from Divisions One to Four.