Magic Mold clinch North Wales Cricket League Premier Division place for the first time in seven years

Mold Cricket Club are overjoyed after clinching promotion back to the North Wales League Premier Division.

The Flintshire club have not played in the top flight since 2014, but sealing runners-up spot in Division One on Saturday means they return to the Premier in 2022.

Mold booked their elevation with a 14-1 points win at Bethesda.

Hosts Pesda won the toss and chose to bat, but could only manage a modest 109 all out off 38 overs.

Nicholas Parry top-scored with 39, while Ioan Roberts made 31. The pair were the only double-figure contributors in the home innings.

Mold’s impressive bowling effort saw Gareth Davies scoop 4-17 off nine overs, Richard Deniz 3-14 from eight, while there was a wicket apiece for John Crane, Richard Crane and Thomas North.

In reply, Mold slumped to 15-2, but Daniel Drew (36) led the recovery, John Crane and Isaac Allen both finishing 24 not out as the visitors reached 110-3 in just 23 overs for a seven-wicket triumph.

In 2021 Mold recorded 14 wins in 22 league matches, losing four with four cancellations.

They were the only team to beat champions Pontblyddyn in Division One over the season and also reached the final of the Flintshire Knockout.

Young Mold batsman Ewan Hill is the North Wales League’s highest run-scorer with 976 compiled across first, second and third team games.