Northop Hall won’t be restoring the Welsh Cup to Smithy Lane this year after crashing out of this high priority premier competition at the first hurdle.

The Liverpool Competition Premier League club, who lifted Wales top trophy for the one and only time in 1997, bowed out in a bruising five wickets defeat at the hands of Mochdre.

Missing several regulars, the Hall, with home advantage, were still fancied to advance their designs on a repeat appearance in the showpiece final in September but Mochdre clearly had no intention of obligingly rolling over.

Put in to bat after Nolan lost the toss the Hall posted 191 for six when their 45 overs ran out, Michael Barnes cracking 49, Gareth Williams 34 and Nolan 24, Denbighshire county regular Gareth Davies picking up 3 for 27.

Mochdre lost an early wicket with just three on the board but it proved insignificant as opener Will Evans followed up his century the previous day with another superb 92 as he and Joe Chaplin 73 put on 165 for the second wicket as the visitors got to a winning 200 for four with almost 11 overs in hand, despite losing three quick wickets late on.

“They played very well and deserved to win on the day,” said Nolan. “We have no complaints, even though it was a disappointment for us.”

Mochdre now face a return to the same locality to confront Hawarden Park in the second round on May 23 after Hawarden stormed to a 133 runs win over visitors Marchwiel and Wrexham.

Electing to bat after winning the toss, Hawarden made it count by flaying a distant 274 for 7 off their 45 overs, Ian Martin’s sparkling 101 including 12 fours and 2 sixes. Earlier openers Tom Ducker 72 and James Hurlin 46 put on 122 as Phil Oddie 2-56 off 9, Luke Davies 2-40 off 4 and Mohammed Farhan 2-2 off 2 shared out the wickets.

Marchwiel & Wrexham could only muster 141 when their chase was halted in the 41st over, Syed Golrez 50 not out and George Forgrave 42 the mainstays as Mike Rapson 4-23 and Tom Norris 3-26 and Ducker 2-5.