Dawson blitz puts Bangor top
Bridge lose top spot after lower-scoring win over Brymbo
THE lead at the top of the Premier Division changed hands once again over the weekend as Bangor moved back to the summit, thanks largely to a stunning spell of bowling from Christopher Dawson.
Bangor ran out eight wicket victors at home over St Asaph to claim 14 points and move back to the top of the table by a solitary point after previous leaders Menai Bridge managed only 11 points in their 20 run win at home against Brymbo.
The Citizens inserted their visitors at Ty Newydd and had the Saints all out for 86 in 31.3 overs as Dawson took 4-13 in nine overs, Owen Reilly and Franco Kasner each claiming a brace with no Saints batsman reaching into the 20s.
In reply, Bangor lost David Winter for just four, but 43 from Reilly and 35 from Nadeem Rehman saw the home side seal the win at 87-1 in 25.5 overs.
Menai Bridge also claimed a victory in their weekend encounter as they entertained Brymbo.
After opting to bat first, the Bridge posted a total of 257-8 in 50 overs, Dion Holden top scoring on 81 while Edward Gadsby and Andy Skeoch each added 30, Daniel Parry and Gareth Boys taking two wickets a piece.
Brymbo went close in their run chase, but they eventually finished on 236-6 in their 50 overs, David Blackwell top scoring with 65, while Mohamed Nilam Jayman added 46 and James Claybrook 40, Sean O’Callaghan picking up three wickets.
Mochdre remain hot on the heels of the leading two, trailing Bangor by just three points in third place after claiming a tense four run win at Northop.
After electing to bat at Flint Road, Mochdre were all out for 234 in 50 overs, Mike Humphreys clean
bowled for a duck with the final ball of the innings by James Birch.
That wicket was Birch’s third of the innings for 41 while Mark Poynton took 3-52 for the home side with Mathew Humphreys top scoring with 55, aided by Gareth Goodson’s 44.
Northop went close to seeing off their visitors, but fell four runs short at 230-8 in their 50 overs.
Openers Alex Gill (78) and Thomas Hughes (49) top scored with Goodson following up his batting exploits with 3-38 with the ball.
Connah’s Quay are still searching for their first win of the season after going down to a 77 run loss at Pwllheli.
The Quay stay rooted to the foot of the standings while Pwll’s win gives them additional breathing space ahead of a relegation battle.
Pwll posted a total of 233-7 in their 50 overs after opting to bat first, Kalim Syed top scoring with 51 with Tristan Coetzee adding 34, Scott Adams and Martin Burger taking two wickets each. In reply the Quay were all out for 156 in 42.1 overs, Dylan Stout and Rob Downey each making scores of 35, the latter finishing unbeaten, while Coetzee and Syed took three wickets.
Pontblyddyn sit just one point above Brymbo in the final relegation spot - both sides going down to defeats over the weekend and picking up four points each.
After losing the toss at Ystrad Road, Pont bowled out hosts Denbigh for 151 in 44.2 overs, Chris Moss (3-34), James Hughes (3-37) and Aled Roberts (3-15) all picking up three wickets while Harrison Jones top scored with 52, aided by 31 from opener Gerallt Lyall.
However, Pont fell 21 runs short as they were skittled all out for 130 in 39.2 overs; Sam Lewis taking 4-25 and Harrison Jones taking 3-20, David Foulkes top scoring with 41.
Llandudno have not given up hope of challenging for the crown after claiming a four wicket win at the Oval over Gresford to sit 19 points behind Bangor in the title race.
Gresford might be ruing their decision to bat first at the Oval with Jamie Grimshaw taking 5-30 and Danial Evans chipping in with 3-45 as Gresford were all out for 161 in 44.4 overs; opener Daniel Williams putting on 32 with number eight batsman Craig Morse top scoring on an unbeaten 46.
Tudno then ended on 163-6 in 39.5 overs as Sam Rimmington added 45 and Will Sissons unbeaten on 44, Simon Perry taking 3-37.