MARCHWIEL AND WREXHAM extended their lead at the top of Division Two with an emphatic nine-wicket victory at Corwen.

The visitors won the toss and installed the hosts to bat first – a decision vindicated by some poor Corwen run-scoring.

Captain Kevin Sharp saw his wicket fall for just seven, while opening partner Kamran Hussain walked for five.

Marchwiel’s Sion Edwards (4-4) and James Spencer (3-15) ran the show as Corwen were skittled 77 all out inside 39 overs.

In reply, Nick Husbands (30 not out) and George Forgrave (27 not out) combined well to see Marchwiel home in the 18th over.

Castell Alun remain rooted to the foot of the table following their 67-run home loss to Bodedern.

Batting first, Bodedern opener Matthew Jackson hit 99 before he was agonisingly caught a run shy of his century.

Gareth Thomas added his 58 run knock to the Anglesey side’s eventual total of 223 for seven, with Charlie Croasdale (3-48) the pick of the home bowlers.

The hosts’ run chase struggled to get going with Robin Williams’ score of 27 an innings-high as Castell ended 156 all out.

A superb knock of 73 from Chris Geary helped third-placed Mynydd Isa to a five-wicket win at Ruthin.

Chasing a target of 139, Isa opener Phil Bradfield (31) made good headway before Geary’s mid-order 73 not out steered Isa home,  despite an excellent bowling spell from Ruthin’s Matthew Best (3-27).

Elsewhere, Llangollen won by two wickets against visiting Halkyn.

Northop Seconds were edged out in their top of the table clash at Menai Bridge in the Seconds XI Premier Division.

With a delayed start to the match because of rain, Northop posted 124 for eight from their allocated 40 overs.

Menai bowler Liam Bibby (4-16) restricted scoring chances, but Andrew Oates hit 33 runs before his dismissal, with Ben Mackriell making 28 of their eventual tally.

Christopher Hinton (5-24) showed his class for Northop as he nullified Menai’s upper batting order.

But the chase slowly gained momentum and Menai skipper Callum Andrews proved to be the difference as his 47 not out helped his side reach 125 for seven to win.

Gresford remain third in the league despite a comfortable 89-run win at Llanrwst.

George Morris hit 32 in the visitors’ 176 for eight total.

Matt Daulby (3-18) helped to thwart any hopes of a comeback as the Llanrwst order was toppled for 87 inside 38 overs.

Pontblyddyn lost ground on the league’s leaders in a 24 run loss to visitors Buckley.

Steven Eltham’s mid-order contribution of 43 runs helped Buckley to 153 for nine, with Pont’s Daz Wilcock (4-14) limiting the damage well.

Pont opener Richard Davies smashed his way to 50, but there was little support from his fellow batsmen as Buckley’s James Blackwell (6-38) turned the game in his side’s favour.

Joss Roberts (54) and Ross Roberts (56 not out) helped fire Brymbo to an emphatic 154-run win at Hawarden Park.

The hosts had no answer to Brymbo’s 260 for three total with Joss Roberts (3-18) and namesake Ross (3-21) proving equally proficient with ball in hand.

Park’s Kenneth Evans showed some resolve with his contribution of 34, but it was in vain as the hosts ended 106 all out.

Carmel’s woes continued in a six-wicket loss at Mochdre. Having posted 128 for nine, Carmel’s bowlers could not contain the Mochdre chase.

Adam Buckley top-scored for the home side with 34 in their 131 for four winning total.

Elsewhere, Denbigh strolled to an eight-wicket success at home to Llandudno.

Llay Welfare leapfrogged Connah’s Quay to take top spot in the Second XI east Division after winning by 124 runs at Maeshafn.

Marchwiel and Wrexham seconds remain close behind in third following a seven-wicket triumph against visitors Chirk.

Home bowlers Ryan Wiliams

(4-26) and Paul Baines (3-10) decimated a Chirk batting order who could muster only 40 runs.

Matthew Lewis then struck 26 not out in Marchwiel’s chase to earn his side a comfortable win.

Gwersyllt Park climbed to fourth after winning by 79 runs at Mold. Gregory Moss hit 40 runs, before Harry Archer top-scored with 63 not out in Gwersyllt’s innings of 207 for five.

The hosts laboured in their chase after Ewan Hill had made good progress with a knock of 43 early on.

But Gwersyllt bowling duo Ethan McCarthy (5-15) and Ryan Collier (4-24) were in unforgiving mood as Mold finished 128 all out.

Halkyn took the honours in their bottom of the table clash against visitors Rhewl.

After Talha Navid’s (4-18) bowling had limited Rhewl to 126 runs, Halkyn’s Keith Briscoe and Vishal Mony hit undefeated tallies of 30 and 36.

Allied with opener Keith Williams’ effort of 32, the duo helped Halkyn clinch victory by six wickets with a score of 129 for two.