CHIRK saw their relegation from the Premier Division confirmed courtesy of a seven-wicket defeat at St Asaph.

The writing had been on the wall for Chirk for weeks, but their return to Division One was made mathematically certain after yet another defeat.

Having won the toss and elected to bat, Chirk found themselves two for three and 32 for five, before in-form captain Andrew Swarbrick (31), Jonathan Phillips (23) and Chris Pritchard (18) helped them to 94, Jason Foulkes bagging 5-21.

Phillips (2-14) and Swarbrick (1-27) ensured that Chirk picked up a couple of points after the turnaround, but St Asaph needed just 16 overs to secure victory.

Hawarden Park moved a step closer to seeing their relegation confirmed as they lost by seven wickets at home to Bangor.

Joe Forde (35), Ian Martin (30) and David Hughes (27) were in the runs for Hawarden, who were bowled out for 156 having won the toss.

Bangor needed 35 of their reduced 45 overs to cross the winning line, Nadeem Rehman finishing unbeaten on 71 and Robbie Marshall hitting 35 not out.

Gresford continued to drag themselves away from the drop zone as they beat Denbigh by six wickets to make it five successive victories.

Chris Ellwood and Jack Bunkell picked up two wickets apiece, while Simon Perry claimed 1-11 from his seven overs as Denbigh were restricted to 160 for seven, Harrison Jones top scoring with 40.

Sam Thompson was the star of the Gresford reply as the opener struck 63, while Matthew Thompson (35) was also in the runs as the visitors won with nine overs to spare.

Captain Ellwood said: “It’s been great in this run that different people have stood up and won games for us.”

At the other end of the table, the title race might not quite be cut and dried as leaders Menai Bridge were beaten by 97 runs at rivals Llandudno.

Keegan Armstrong struck an unbeaten 42 as Llandudno posted 177 for eight, a total which proved more than enough as the home side’s bowlers combined impressively.

Jack Rimmington, Jamie Grimshaw, Danial Evans and Tom Thornton pocketed two wickets apiece as Menai were bundled out for just 80.

The victory moved Llandudno to within 24 points of Menai, while Brymbo are 28 behind after beating Northop by six wickets.

Dan Parry (4-23) and Ben Roberts (3-48) combined for Brymbo to bowl Northop out for 197, Andy Poynton (44), Ben Beaver (37) and Matthew Williams (30) in the runs.

Captain James Claybrook (30) and Mohamed Nilam Jayman (26) set the tone for Brymbo after the interval, before David Blackwell and Connor Davies both struck unbeaten 44s as the visitors eased to their rain reduced total of 163.

SCOREBOARD

Premier Division: Denbigh 160-7, Gresford 161-4; Hawarden Park 156, Bangor 159-3; Llandudno 177-8, Menai Bridge 89; Northop 197, Brymbo 165-4; St Asaph 97-3, Chirk 94.

Division Two: Carmel and District 203-7, Ruthin 94.

Second XI Premier Division: Bangor 2nds 233-6, Hawarden Park 2nds 119; Brymbo 2nds 170, Northop 277-5; Gresford 2nds 84-2, Pontblyddyn 2nds 80; Llay Welfare 2nds 186-7, Carmel and District 2nds 182-6; Mochdre 2nds 169-8, Buckley 2nds 168-6.

Second XI East Division: Halkyn 2nds, Gwersyllt Park 2nds (Halkyn conceded); Marchwiel and Wrexham 2nds 178-8, Connah’s Quay 2nds 62; Mold 2nds 266-3, Rhewl 82.