North Wales Cricket League Premier Division – it’s all down to last day in title race!

The battle for the North Wales Cricket League Premier Division title will go down to the final day of the season.

Saturday’s results saw St Asaph leap into top spot, three points ahead of Northop, with one game each left to play.

Next weekend, Saints face an ultra-tough curtain closer at Menai Bridge, while Northop travel to mid-table Bangor.

REPORTS – SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 9

NORTH WALES CRICKET LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION

St Asaph (13) 216-9 Gresford (2) 163-10

Mathew Ryan struck 92 and Dan Evans 68 as Saints roared to the top of the table with a convincing win over Gresford.

The hosts won the toss and elected to bat, chalking up 216-9 off their 50 overs, Ryan and Evans putting on 155 for the third wicket.

Daniel Williams claimed 4-33 and Sam Thompson an excellent 2-17 off 10 for Gresford.

In reply, the visitors were dismissed for 163, skipper Matthew Thompson hitting an outstanding 78.

Danny Ryan collected a superb 3-20 for the hosts, Ryan Dunning 2-21.

Thirteen points from their final game at Menai Bridge on Saturday will guarantee Saints the title whatever Northop do at Bangor, but that last match will be a mightily tough one for the 2021 champions of Elwy Park Grove.

Northop (3) 128-10 Brymbo (12) 130-6

Brymbo breathed new life into the title race by winning at leaders Northop.

The hosts called the coin correctly and batted but were bowled out for just 128, Henry Dowd the only player to make any serious impact with 41.

Connor Davies was the star bowler for the Steelmen, taking 5-28 and Daniel Parry claimed 3-20.

It was not all plain sailing for Brymbo in reaching their target, but they got to 130-6, Mohamed Nilam Jayman 34, Chris Taylor 32 not out and Joe Norman 23 no, Andrew Oates 3-42 and Marlon Barclay 2-6 off 10 ultra-tight overs for the hosts. Points: 12-3 Brymbo.

Bangor (4) 125-10 Menai Bridge (11) 132-10

Bangor narrowly failed to get over the line in a low-scoring derby at Ty Newydd.

Menai Bridge decided to bat after winning the toss, but could only muster a modest 132 all out from 44 overs, Mathew Jones making 25, Dion Holden 24 and Jack Gower 23.

Idrees Ijaz took 3-42, Franco Kasner 2-20 and Ryan Symonds-Mayes 2-26.

Bangor’s response ended on 125, skipper for the day Owen Reilly best with 42, Will Blair taking 4-38, Robbie Jones 3-5 and Holden 2-34.

Denbigh (13) 228-10 Halkyn 106-5 (revised target 158)

Harrison Jones chose the ideal occasion to hit a vintage century as a Denbigh Cricket Club past players and supporters day was being held at Ystrad Road.

Skipper Jones hit 109 as the home side posted 228 all out off 49.2 overs, Jamie Griffiths taking 3-35, Nathan Roett 3-39 and Alex North 3-62 for the visitors.

Due to weather intervention, Halkyn were set a revised target of 158 for victory from 30 overs in reply, but could only manage 106-5, five home bowlers taking a wicket apiece.

Denbigh won by 51 runs and 13-2 on points.

Llandudno (13) 258-10 Pontblyddyn (2) 199-10

Kai Page (52) and skipper Matthew Lambe (44) did most to ensure Llandudno set a winning total of 258 all out against Pontblyddyn at The Oval.

Renacko Belgrave bagged 3-36 and Jonathan Byrd 3-39 for the visitors, who were dismissed for 199 in reply.

Gethin Thomas made 64 and Cayo Jones 48 for Pont, Lucas Hughes gathering 5-41 for the home team, who still have an outside chance of escaping relegation on the final day.

Mold (4) 230-9 Mochdre (11) 254-7

Relegated Mold lost out in a high-scoring encounter against Mochdre at Chester Road.

Alex Davies scored 96 not out as Mochdre set a mammoth 254-7 off 50 overs after winning the toss and deciding to take first knock.

Shaun Kitchen added 38 for the visitors, while for the home team, Richard Deniz claimed 3-43 and Daniel Williams 2-30.

Mold gave it a good go in response, finishing on 230-9, George Jones scoring 78 and Isaac Allen 30, Davies completing a great match for Mochdre with 4-42, Brad Kielow 3-30.