A SCINTILLATING partnership from Luke Jones and Jack Gower guided Menai Bridge to a convincing 275-run home victory over Hawarden Park.

The opening pair put on an astonishing 245 for the first wicket to guide the North Wales Cricket League Premier Division leaders one step closer to the title, and they can seal the silverware if they win at Denbigh on Saturday and other results go their way.

The home side made a commanding start thanks to Jones and Gower, who turned in a display of the highest quality to put them fully in the ascendancy.

Jones smashed a total of 21 boundaries before he was eventually removed by Stuart Green for 116, with Gower producing a masterful knock on his way to 175 from just 119 deliveries.

Arwel Thomas also hit an unbeaten 13 as Bridge skipper Dion Holden declared on 330-2 from 36 overs in the middle.

Overseas player Patrick Glover got the hosts off to a flyer in the field with the early wicket of Phil Hankin for four, with Ashley Wood disposing of Santhosh Nandakumar (1), Richard Penney (2) and Chris Wharton (3) on his way to figures of 3-19.

Talented bowler Gerallt Roberts then took over proceedings by decimating the middle order, putting top scorer David Hughes (29) Charlotte Penney (0), Rachel Warrenger (0), Ahmed Javed (0) and David Deane (0) on his list of victims to end the day on 5-13 as the away side were all out for 55.

With title rivals Brymbo and Llandudno both securing victories, Bridge now enjoy a 13-point cushion at the summit heading into the penultimate weekend of the season.

There was no such luck for Bridge’s second unit, who suffered a disappointing five-wicket defeat at Brymbo Seconds.