USMAN BUTT produced a sensational spell of bowling in Mold’s six-wicket win over Abergele in Division One of the North Wales League.

Butt took 8-34 in 10 almost-unplayable overs as Abergele were skittled out for 122.

He then added 20 runs opening the batting to go with 28 from Duane Williams as Mold eased to 125 for four.

Pontblyddyn’s James Hughes was their star man in a superb eight wicket win over leaders, Bethesda.

Hughes landed 4-46 as Bethesda were stopped on 165 and then combined with Dave Foulkes in an 80-run third wicket partnership.

Both players were unbeaten on 33 at the end as Pont comfortably reached 166 for two.

Llay Welfare made the most of Bethesda’s slip-up and are now just 10 points off top spot after seeing off Llanrwst by six wickets.

Tom Crewe (3-26) and Ethan Griffiths (3-30) restricted Llanrwst to 110. Llay then eased to 111 for four.

Bersham also cashed in with a thrilling three wicket win against Mochdre in a match that went the full distance.

Mochdre posted 208 for nine with James French top scoring with 66 as Amith Thilikathne too 5-39.

Suresh Koswaththage took 3-50 and then smashed 78 to go with 45 from Nuwan Amarakoon to see Bersham home to 212 for seven.

The big game in the Premier Division was at Chirk where the bottom two battled it out.

And it was Hawarden Park who led Chirk well and truly grounded in an impressive nine-wicket success.

Only Nick Flack showed any resistance with 30 as Chirk were bowled out for 161.

Michael Wootton (4-35) and Tom Norris (3-54) did the damage before David Hughes (75) and an unbeaten 53 from Adam Cross saw Ian Martin’s Park home to 162 for one.

Connah’s Quay lost out by just five runs as they continue to struggle this season.

After bowling out Denbigh for 165, five of the Quay batsmen were out for ducks as the efforts of David Fox (40) and Martin Burger (30) were all in vain.

Harrison Jones, who had earlier hit 71, landed 4-29 and Stuart Griffiths took 4-26.

Menai Bridge remain top of the table after a seven-wicket success against Northop, who posted 186 on the scoreboard.

Matthew Williams hit 59 and Andy Poynton scored 67 for Northop while Gethin Long took 4-58 and then hit 59 not out to go with Luke Jones’ 64 in reply.

Brymbo are second, just 28 points off top spot after beating Pwllheli by 69 runs.

Batting first, Brymbo scored 196 for seven, Connor Davies (62), Joss Roberts (45) and Gareth Boys (34) among the runs.

Man of the match Davies then landed 4-33 as Pwllheli were bowled out for 127, Ben Roberts also playing his part with 3-29.

Gresford were beaten by three wickets by Bangor. Matthew Cree top scored with 52 in Gresford’s 120 while despite three wickets apiece for Ryan Williams and Simon Perry, Bangor managed to get to122 for seven.

Danial Evans was Llandudno’s match-winner as they thrashed St Asaph by 113 runs.

Evans hit 107 in the coastal side’s 272 for four before taking three wickets as the Saints were dismissed for 159.

NORTH WALES CRICKET SCOREBOARD

Premier Division: Chirk 161, Hawarden Park 162-1; Gresford 120, Bangor 122-7; Llandudno 272-4, St Asaph 159; Northop 186, Menai Bridge 187-3; Pwllheli 127, Brymbo 196-7; Denbigh 165, Connah’s Quay 160.

Division One: Bethesda 165, Pontblyddyn 166-2; Llay Welfare 111-4, Llanrwst 110; Mold 125-4, Abergele 122; Dolgellau 255, Conwy 133-8; Mochdre 208-9, Bersham 212-7.

Division Two: Buckley 269-3, Corwen 147-9.

2nd XI Premier Division: Denbigh 139, Llay Welfare 140-5; Menai Bridge 194, Buckley 191-6; Pontblyddyn 158, Carmel & District 161-8; Bangor 167, Northop 168-3; Hawarden Park 181-7, Mochdre 238; Brymbo 114, Gresford 204-7.

2nd XI East Division: Ruthin 209, Maeshafn Argoed 213-5.