Denbigh opened up an 18 point lead at the top of Division One thanks to a convincing 205 run success over promotion challenging Pwllheli.

Opening batsman Gerallt Lyall led the way for Denbigh with a fine 75, while John Lee Rowlands added a half century and overseas pro Will Affleck chipped in with 45 as the hosts totalled 264-6 from 45 overs.

Rowlands continued his fine performance with 3-17 after the turnaround, Gethin Williams also bagging three wickets and Stuart Griffiths two victims to help dismiss Pwllheli for just 59.

Gresford’s poor run of form continued as Llay Welfare boosted their promotion hopes with a 32 run triumph.

Michael Paletia justified his call-up from the second string with an impressive 49 at the top of the order, while Dave Phennah (36) and Tom Crewe (43) helped Llay to 195-9, Gresford’s Gareth Rowland taking 4-34.

In reply John Bell struck a measured 41 and Rowland added 45 to his four wickets as the game hung in the balance, Chris Ellwood also chipping in with 32. Llay were finally able to rest as Phennah claimed 5-37 and Daniel Parry took 3-38 to bowl their opponents out for 163.

Northop secured victory over Llandudno 2nds thanks largely to their fine bowling performance, removing their hosts for 132.

Jonathon Haupfleisch led the way with 4-19, while Lloyd Hayes (3-11), Mark Poyntin (2-35) and Andy Poynton (1-41) did the rest of the damage.

Llandudno managed to leave Northop at 48-4 in reply, but Harry Lewis saw his side home with an undefeated 53.

Marchwiel and Wrexham missed the chance to breathe life into their battle with relegation as Bersham secured a 99 run success.

Bersham were able to post 224-7 despite some good bowling from Tommy Bellis and Luke Davies, and it proved sufficient as Marchwiel were put to the sword by Nigel Woodfine.

Woodfine picked up 5-23, including the wicket of Adam Bennett (55), as Marchwiel were dismissed for 125.

Elsewhere, Halkyn saw their game with Conwy abandoned and Rhewl’s trip to Bethesda was cancelled without a ball being bowled.

Ian Pearson broke the 600 run barrier with an impressive century against visiting St Asaph 2nds in Division Two.

The opener smashed six sixes and 15 fours in his knock of 135 and he was supported by Wayne Evans and Bryn Markham-Jones, who both added 41, as Gwersyllt finished on 293-8.

The hosts were unable to bowl their opponents out but restricted them to 209-5 thanks to tight bowling from Pearson, Evans, Phil Huckridge and Lee Beer.

Pontblyddyn 2nds held their nerve to complete an edgy seven run victory over Carmel and District.

John Stanforth (54), Tom Dawson (44) and Tony Manoj (40) helped Pont recover from 81-5 to post a more than defendable 216 all out, Andrew Skates the main Carmel threat with 4-51.

In reply, Carmel’s chase began in similar fashion as they slipped to 80-5, although Nick Washbrook remained at the crease and having passed his half century he looked good value to lead his men to victory. However, Ranjith Appuhamy (4-55), Manoj (3-13) and Dawson (2-30) removed Washbrook’s partners to leave him four short of three figures and Carmel seven runs short.

Northop 2nds collected a six wicket win over Abergele to help ease their battle against relegation.

Ken Totty was the star of the show with the ball, taking 5-49 as Abergele ended their innings on 165-9, James Roberts also bagging 2-16.

Bart Beswick handed Northop a solid start with 34 and once he had departed, Warwick Beswick (40) and Rhys Hayes (54 not out) led their side home inside 43 overs.

It was Nigel’s turn to overshadow brother Ross, but the Roberts’ were unable to guide Brymbo 2nds to back-to-back wins as Dolgellau won by six wickets.

Nigel hit 77 and Michael Edge fired 31 as Brymbo totalled 141-6 from their allotted 40 overs. The same duo combined to take the four Dolgellau wickets, but the hosts were too strong and reached 142-4.

Paul Jones smashed an unbeaten century as Menai Bridge 2nds overcame Corwen by 98 runs.

Jones helped Bridge to 235-3 and in truth Corwen never looked like passing that total despite the efforts of Nathan Aldridge, who fired six sixes in a quickfire 57, the away side ending on 137 all out.

Mynydd Isa proved that the Division Three title is far from decided as they beat leaders Buckley by 78 runs.

Isa, missing captain Chris Geary, were inserted after Buckley won the toss and posted a competitive 187, Ian Dixon leading the run scoring with 83 as Phil Bradfield and Ryan White shared six wickets.

Nail Amos starred with the ball for Isa to take 5-47, while Dixon added 2-15 and John Gorman bagged 2-19 to leave Buckley 109 all out.

Llay Welfare 2nds climbed above Castell Alun in the table thanks to an 82 run win over the visiting outfit. The hosts found the going good as Steve Partington (46), John Humphreys (44) and Richard Salisbury (37) all contributed to their 201-7.

Salisbury then made sure of the success with an excellent spell of bowling, the all-rounder taking 7-25 from 9.3 overs as Castell Alun slumped to 119 all out.

Mold 2nds slipped out of the promotion places as they lost by 26 runs at the home of Ruthin. Despite some fine bowling from Keith Embleton (4-51) and Thomas Mitchell (3-33) Ruthin posted 194, Mike Bryan Jones, Gwern Llwyd Owain and Rhys Hilditch all making starts.

Mold’s chase was ended on 168 as Ben Syme (4-32) and Hilditch (2-8) restricted the visitors and collected the win, John Williams top scoring for the Chester Road outfit with 34.

Hawarden Park 2nds bounced back from two dismal weeks to beat basement outfit Llanrwst 2nds by 43 runs. Phil Young led the way for Park with 65, while Adam Doyle, Jonathan Bellis, Matthew Roberts and Mike Salisbury all chipped in.
Captain Stuart Green then bowled his side to the win with 4-24.

Bala picked up only their second win of the campaign as Marchwiel and Wrexham 2nds came unstuck.

Gwyndaf Hughes enjoyed his day with an important 63 not out from Bala’s 187-5, before he claimed 4-18 to restrict the hosts to 138-9.

Carmel and District 2nds reinforced their Division Four promotion aspirations with a comfortable 114 run triumph over Bethesda 2nds.

Gwion Dafydd (74) scored his maiden half century before being run out and Derek Johnson (54) and Alex Blythin (52) also contributed in Carmel’s total of 227-5 declared. Dafydd then took 3-31 alongside Lee Rowles (3-22) as Bethesda were removed for 113.

Connah’s Quay 2nds stretched their lead at the top of the table to 11 points thanks to an 102 run success at Conwy 2nds.

Kevin Jones, Luke Bennett and Wesley Gillam all fell just short of half centuries as Quay posted 205-8, although Gillam made up for that disappointment to take 4-17 in Conwy’s reply.

Lee Davies (3-38), Scott Adams (2-14) and Bennett (1-28) were also in the wickets as Conwy ended 103 all out.

Northop 3rds upset Division Five title challengers Llandudno 3rds by recording a six wicket win thanks to Tom Allman’s fine unbeaten century.

Danny Nicholson, Liam Moores and Wayne Totty shared six Llandudno wickets before Allman struck 112 of his side’s 156-4 to see them to victory.

Chirk 2nds were the other winners as they edged to a two wicket success over visiting outfit Menai Bridge 3rds.

The home bowling unit was too strong for Bridge as Rob Davenport (4-16), Ian Hall (3-18) and John Swarbrick (2-19) dismissed the visitors for 117. Chirk were able to creep over the winning line thanks to Darren Litchfield (32) and Andrew Swarbrick (31).

Castell Alun 2nds moved off the bottom of the Division Six table despite a 15 run loss at home to Bodedern 2nds.

The away side posted a sizeable 209, although Castell Alun looked a good bet to reach that total with John Hughes (42) at the crease. Once he had gone the hosts fell short on 194-9.

Corwen 2nds were also winners as they overcame Ruthin 2nds by five wickets.

Ruthin failed to make the most of a strong start from openers Chris Scotland (26) and Hugh Sharples (25) as they were forced to settle for 140 all out. In reply Scott Kearns proved a calming influence for his Corwen men, the skipper hitting an unbeaten 40 to lead his team to the win inside 30 overs.

Rhewl 2nds were unable to collect their third win of the season as they went down to an eight wicket defeat at the hands of Llangollen 2nds.