Bridge need a victory to stay ahead of the pack in nail-biting finish to the season

MENAI Bridge visit Denbigh this Saturday knowing they must win to keep a late season threat to their North Wales Cricket League Premier Division title hopes at bay.

Still 13 points clear at the summit with two rounds of matches left, Bridge remain within the sights of challengers Brymbo and Llandudno.

While Bridge travel to Ystrad Road this weekend, Brymbo are away to Bangor and Tudno make the trip to Connah’s Quay.

All the top three took maximum points last Saturday, with Menai ruthlessly dispatching a much-weakened Hawarden Park.

Winning the toss and electing to bat, the Bridge amassed 330-2 before declaring after 36.4 overs. Jack Gower hit a career-best 175 and Luke Jones struck 116, the pair sharing an opening stand of 245. Hawarden were then rolled over for just 55, Gerallt Roberts grabbing 5-13 and Ashley Wood 3-19.

Fourth-placed Bangor triumphed by six wickets at St Asaph. The Saints were dismissed for 153, Chris Dawson 4-37 and Nadeem Rehman 3-9 for the citizens. Bangor got home on 157-4, Rehman 46 and Idrees Ijaz 34, for a 13-2 points split.

Bethesda kept their hopes of promotion alive with a convincing 13-2 success at Abergele. Nicholas Parry struck 91no and Matthew Harrington 68 as the visitors set a formidable 246-5 off 50 overs.

Gele were then bowled out for 172.

Jonny Wells struck 81 as Bangor seconds comfortably saw off Mochdre seconds at Ty Newydd in the 2nd XI Premier Division. Wells was the mainstay of Bangor’s 187-6 and the hosts then sent the visitors packing for 93, Subhan Khan 5-40, Aidan Kelly 2-13 and Wells 2-16 for a 14-1 triumph.

Menai Bridge seconds lost by five wickets at Brymbo seconds.

Bridge were dismissed for 131, wicket-keeper Paul Gower the top contributor with 30.

Then the Steelmen made it to 132-5 for a 12-3 verdict, Phil Smith 2-17 and Callum Andrews 2-27 for the Anglesey team.

In the 2nd XI West Division, Bethesda were limited to 75-9 against Caernarfon, who hit back with 76-3 for a 13-2 points split.