North Wales Cricket: Brymbo firmly in the title race after Llandudno win

All too often in recent seasons Brymbo have been fighting relegation but Joss Roberts has put together a fine all-round side, highlighted by this latest success.

Winning the toss and electing to bat, Roberts (40) and in-form James Claybrook (66) got the innings off to an excellent start with an 89 partnership.

Claybrook, who was eventually bowled by Tom Thornton (4-51), was supported by Ben Roberts (36), Steve Kelshaw (33) and a quickfire 15 from Matt Turner to finish on 227-6.

Llandudno were progressing steadily on 125-4 but match-winning spells from Ben Roberts (3-27) and 3-45 off 11.4 overs from Dan Parry helped dismiss Llan for 186, Kevin James making 51.

Gareth Boys, Turner, Kelshaw and Claybrook all weighed in with a wicket apiece.

The win leaves Brymbo 19 points adrift of Menai Bridge with a game in hand, after the leaders hammered Connah's Quay by 152 runs.

Matt Bixby smashed 98 for the hosts as they made 250-8 in their 50 overs, as David Fox (4-67) and Ryan Holloway (3-51) did the damage for Quay.

In reply, Quay's innings stuttered to 98 all out, Darren Jones' 41 off 60 balls the only notable contribution, as Robbie Jones snaffled 4-18.

Pontblyddyn's good week continued with a six-wicket success over St Asaph. 

Fresh from a thrilling one-wicket win over Menai, Ben Mason's side dismissed hosts St Asaph for just 70 in 41.1 overs.

Australian overseas Brad Aldous opened the bowling and claimed 2-24, while Rhys Jones took 2-18.

Kevin Owen (4-26) then ran through the middle order before Glenn Chambers wrapped things up with 1-6 off his 12 overs including seven maidens.

Pont lost Mason, Chambers and Chris Myles early to fall to 31-3 but Ali Roberts (19) and Aldous (15) both remained unbeaten to see Pont home in 27.4 overs.

Hawarden Park produced a good performance to win by two wickets at Pwllheli.

Pwllheli made 205-9, as Craig Wilson claimed 4-63 and Ian Martin took 3-31.

Captain Tom Norris picked up 1-24 from 11 economical overs, while Australian Sam Underhill took 1-32, as Guto Roberts hit 38.

In response, opening pair Jehan and Dilruk Yahathugoda began superbly, as Jehan made 46 and Dilruk went on to compile a vital 88.

But Park suffered a middle order collapse and needed 20 not out from Martin to steer them home with just seven balls to spare.

Bangor's South African overseas Francois Mostert claimed 8-36 as Northop were bowled out for just 93.

Only Scott Oates (21) and Liam Naylor (21) could muster any resistance as Mostert proved too good for the Flintshire line-up.

In reply, Mostert then smashed 59 not out as Bangor eased to an eight-wicket win inside 18 overs. Andy Poynton (1-23) and Liam Moores (1-18) claimed Northop's wickets.

Denbigh moved fifth after a seven-wicket victory over Mochdre. Denbigh overseas Marlon Welcome-Goodman claimed 5-41 as Mochdre were dismissed for 193, Alex Davies making 71.

Gerallt Lyall's 51 helped ease Denbigh home in just 44.3 overs.

Llay Welfare remain top of Division One after a six-wicket defeat of Buckley.

Batting first, Buckley posted 209-7, Joel Sampson hitting an unbeaten 63 and Simon Nicholls making 38.

Nathan Humphreys (2-33) and Tom Crewe (2-47) claimed Llay's wickets.

In reply, opener Mike Wright struck an excellent 73 not out while Jamie Beale hit 81 as Llay eased to 210-4 in 42.3 overs. Danny Clubbe claimed 3-35 off 10 overs for the visitors.

David Taylor smashed 70 not out for Llanrwst as they hammered Conwy by eight wickets.

Chris Woodcock struck an unbeaten century for Marchwiel and Wrexham as they comfortably beat Mold by eight wickets.

Mold were dismissed for 180, Michael Forgrave (3-35) and Josh Williams (2-27) the pick of the bowling. Stewart Roberts made 56 for Mold, supported by Richard Crane (30).

But Woodcock's superb 103 off 125 balls proved to be the difference as he and Rob Ward (63) saw them home with seven overs to spare.

Gresford were all out for 155 at Bethesda, as the hosts then got home on 156-7 with just four balls to spare.