IAN PEARSON starred as Gwerysllt Park saw off Division Two title rivals Carmel and District by four wickets to strengthen their grip on top spot.

Pearson struck an unbeaten 92 at the top of the order as Gwerysllt successfully chased down Carmel's earlier score of 191 to clinch an impressive victory with seven balls to spare.

All-rounder Pearson had already pocketed 3-42 from his 10 overs, and with Lewis Cole and Jack Watkins taking two wickets apiece, Carmel were restricted to 191 for nine.

Daniel Owens (35) and Gwion Dafydd (29) were the main run scorers for Carmel, who were helped by 37 extras.

Marchwiel and Wrexham were unable to do Gwersyllt a favour as second placed Ruthin eased to an eight-wicket away win.

Nathan Mathews top scored with 32 as Marchwiel were bowled out for 132, Harry Pooler taking 4-21, before Will Jones struck an unbeaten 70 from just 50 balls to see Ruthin home.

Buckley didn't waste too much time in wrapping up a nine-wicket win over Llangollen, who were bundled out for just 68 having been invited to bat first.

Joel Sampson did the bulk of the damage for Buckley with 3-14, before he added an unbeaten 35 to see his team to 71 for one inside 15 overs.

Mynydd Isa's impressive form continued with a five-wicket success at Halkyn, who posted a competitive 175 for eight.

Alex North top scored with 57 for Halkyn, who were undone by the duo of Jordan Baxter (4-27) and Danny Sprake (3-35).

Isa openers Phil Bradfield (42) and Chris Geary (33) set the tone, before Sprake hit an unbeaten 24 to see his side across the line.

Dave Jones had a day to remember as he led Llay Welfare Seconds to a 173-run success over Buckley Seconds in the Second XI Premier Division.

Jones struck a superb unbeaten 136 as Llay posted 274 for three, Joe Howell chipping in with a half century of his own.

Man of the moment Jones then picked up 4-31 as Llay were bowled out for 101, Dylan Honey and Mike Phennah with two wickets each.

Leaders Gresford Seconds made it nine wins on the spin as they cruised to a 10-wicket success over Denbigh Seconds.

Ross Willets and Matt Daulby bagged three wickets apiece to bowl Denbigh out for 100, before the former struck an unbeaten 60 at the top of the order alongside Craig Morse (42no) to see Gresford to victory.

Northop Seconds were also comfortable winners as they overcame Hawarden Park Seconds by six wickets.

Martin Hinton was the only Hawarden batsman to reach double figures as he scored 36 of his side's 87 all out, Matthew Mullarkey and Paul Cartwright with three wickets apiece.

Mike Wooton bagged 2-25 after the turnaround, but Leo Greig got his side home with a patient 32 not out.

It was tough going for Brymbo Seconds as they lost at Menai Bridge Seconds by 40 runs.

The Brymbo bowling attack didn't have too many answers as Menai posted 236 for five, before the visitors' reply ended on 196 for five, Elliot Hughes (75) and CJ Craven (40) impressing with the bat.

Bangor Seconds (206-9) were also winners as they beat Mochdre Seconds (96) by 110 runs.

Castell Alun made it back-to-back Second XI East Division victories as they beat Rhewl by eight wickets, Alistair Mackay hitting an unbeaten century.

Mackay hit 19 fours and a six as Castell Alun reached 180 for two inside 28 overs after restricting nine-man Rhewl to 178 for six.

The experienced Phil Lloyd took 3-22 as George Lebeau top scored with 56 for Rhewl. This latest victory means the Hope-based outfit are now just 11 points shy of being back in positive points, having had to concede three matches earlier in the campaign due to a lack of players.

Chirk Seconds needed just 55.2 overs to record a 135-run success over Marchwiel and Wrexham Seconds.

Ian Skinner struck 83 of Chirk's 181 for six, before Connor Bailey claimed 3-9 to bowl eight-man Marchwiel out for just 46.

Maeshafn Argoed continued their title push with a seven-wicket home win over Halkyn Seconds.

Vishal Mony (47), Keith Williams (39no) and David Travis (32) were in the runs as Halkyn posted 138 for three, a total which proved far too small as Maeshafn surpassed it inside 23 overs of their reply.

Andy Meakin (32no) and Cameron Roche (32) were in the runs for Maeshafn.

Leaders Connah's Quay Seconds (93) came unstuck as they were beaten by 25 runs at Ruthin Seconds (118), despite the best efforts of Chris Boden (3-17), Aaron Pearson (3-31) and Liam Jones (41).