CARMEL AND DISTRICT turned up the pressure on Division Two leaders Gwersyllt Park courtesy of two convincing home victories.

The Flintshire outfit followed up a 109-run success over Ruthin on Saturday with an even more commanding 174-run triumph against Llangollen 24 hours later.

Dafydd Bailey was the star of the show for Carmel against Llangollen, the opener hitting an unbeaten 107 in his side’s 258 for five.

Barry Mcgauty (3-11), Ben Sim (2-7) and Jack Whitehouse (2-12) then combined impressively to bowl Llangollen out for just 84.

Bailey was also in the runs on Saturday as he struck 72 in Carmel’s 203 for seven, Nick Washbrook (31 not out) and Ryan Roberts (24no) contributing down the order.

Oliver Saynor (3-28), Mcgauty (2-15), Whitehouse (2-20) and Sim (2-21) then took charge to bowl Ruthin out for 94.

The double success moved Carmel to within eight points of leaders Gwersyllt Park.

In the only other third-tier clash, Halkyn (146-9) picked up their first outright win of the campaign as they beat Marchwiel and Wrexham (69) by 77 runs.

Gresford Seconds’ march towards the Second XI Premier Division title continued as they overcame Pontblyddyn Seconds by eight wickets.

Sean Richards led from the front with 5-25 as Pontblyddyn were bowled out for just 80, James Hughes top scoring with 46.

Craig Morse (31), Ross Willets (21) and David Baker (20no) then knocked off the required runs for Gresford.

Northop Seconds remain in fourth after securing an 107-run success over Brymbo Seconds.

Having won the toss Northop set about posting 277 for six, Tom Allman (93) and James Roberts (89) the main run makers as Will Smith and Joe Boycott took two wickets apiece.

Shashika Meistry (42), Dafydd Rhys (32) and Smith (30) were in the runs for Brymbo, but the trio were unable to kick on as the Wrexham outfit were bowled out for 170.

Harry Bartlem (3-6) and Tom Sudder (3-18) were the standout Northop’s nine bowlers.

Llay Welfare Seconds were also winners as they collected a three-wicket win against Carmel and District Seconds.

Rohit Kaimal (41) and Carl Badger-Watts (37) were in the runs as Carmel posted 182 for six, a total helped by 33 extras as Steve Partington took 2-29.

Nick Hughes (3-52) and Dafydd Timothy (2-27) threatened to win the game for Carmel, but Tom Parry (50) and Partington (37) helped Llay to victory.

Hawarden Park Seconds’ failed to ease their relegation worries as they lost by 60 runs at Bangor Seconds.

Peter Jones hit 121 not out as Bangor posted 233 for six, before Hawarden were bowled out for 119, Martin Hinton top scoring with 34.

Sam Davies was a thorn in the side for Buckley Seconds (168-5), the number seven hitting an unbeaten century as Mochdre Seconds (172-7) clinched a three-wicket win.

Tom Hall struck an unbeaten 121 as Maeshafn Argoed overcame Castell Alun by 140 runs in the Second XI East Division.

Hall was the star of the show in Maeshafn’s 222 for five, hitting 13 fours and a six in his fine knock.

Nine-man Castell Alun found the going tough after the turnaround as they were restricted to 82, Rhys Young hitting 38 not out as Rahul Patil claimed 2-13.

While leaders Gwersyllt Park Seconds claimed a walkover win against Halkyn Seconds, second placed Mold Seconds beat Rhewl by 184 runs.

Ewan Hill and Luca Davies both struck unbeaten 65s as Mold posted 266 for three, which was boosted by 54 extras.

Jamie Ryle, Josh Jones and Lewis Pringle then picked up two wickets apiece as eight-man Rhewl were bowled out for 82.

Ieuan Wynne Lewis saw his unbeaten century go to waste as Ruthin Seconds lost by eight wickets at the hands of Chirk Seconds.

Lewis and Jamie Hughes (60) got Ruthin to 229 for four, but Ian Skinner struck 91 not out to lead Chirk home.

Marchwiel Seconds (178-8) were also winners, beating Connah’s Quay (62) by 116 runs.