THE spirit of cricket well and truly went out of the window as the 2018 Premier Division season ended in farcical circumstances.

A scuffle broke out as Northop and hosts St Asaph quite literally did battle with the visitors’ Jordan Evans and home batsmen Matt Ryan grappling on the Elwy Park Grove wicket.

Evans, the son of North Wales League discipline secretary and vice chairman, Phil, was irked after Ryan stood his ground after seemingly edging a delivery from James Birch into his hands and the two traded insults before the Northop man got the home side’s captain in a head lock, the duo ending up in a heap on the floor.

The duo were separated before the game continued with umpires Ian Hadfield and Huw Kelly set to report the incident after it was caught on camera.

An eye witness said: “It was certainly cricket with a difference. I’ve never seen anything like it. The crowd were amazed.”

Neither Northop or St Asaph were prepared to comment on the incident, while league chairman Bob Sugden is currently away and umpires liaison Paul Jones has only just returned to the country.

North Wales League treasurer Richard Penny did confirm that the governing body were aware of the incident and that any an outcome on the skirmish will be made within three weeks.

He said: “The North Wales Cricket League management committee are aware of reports in the media of an incident in the St Asaph versus Northop match.

“No comment will be made until such time as reports from the panel umpires are received by the nominated members of the committee and any required process for breached of league rules have run their course.”

The scuffle overshadowed an entertaining match that saw Northop recover from 136 for nine to successfully chase down 183.

Tom Blackwell, James Birch and Mark Poynton all took three wickets as St Asaph were restricted to 183 for nine.

Evans (39) helped steady the Northop ship after the turnaround as the Flintshire side slipped to 66 for five, but defeat looked likely when four more wickets fell.

But Danny Nicholson (37no) and Poynton (19no) combined to see their side to victory on a drama filled afternoon.

Menai Bridge (173) secured the league title courtesy of a 44-run success over Pwllheli (129), leaving Brymbo to take second spot with a four-wick win against Gresford.

Chris Ellwood struck 88 not out and Daniel Williams added 46 as Gresford posted 214 for six, Wayne Smith bagging 3-38.

But the in-form Dan Parry hit 64, before Joss Roberts struck an unbeaten half century to see Brymbo to victory with 23 balls to spare, Williams helping himself to 5-52.

Chirk finished the season without a win to their name after they were beaten by 10 wickets at home to Denbigh.

Andrew Swarbrick hit 32 not out and Gareth Partridge added 21, but Chirk were bundled out for just 87, 23 extras boosting that total further.

Denbigh cruised to 90 without loss in reply inside 17 overs.

Connah's Quay ended the season with a seven-wicket win over Hawarden Park, the two teams playing a reduced 20-over-a-side match, while Llandudno (217) overcame Bangor (204-9) by 13 runs.

SCOREBOARD

Premier Division: Brymbo 215-6, Gresford 214-6; Chirk 87, Denbigh 90-0; Llandudno 217, Bangor 204-9; Menai Bridge 173, Pwllheli 129; St Asaph 183-9, Northop 186-9.

Second XI Premier Division: Bangor 2nds 176-9, Menai Bridge 2nds 168-9; Buckley 2nds 136, Mochdre 2nds 144; Gresford 223-8, Carmel and District 2nds 99; Hawarden Park 2nds 180, Denbigh 2nds 182-5; Northop 2nds 111, Llay Welfare 2nds 122-9; Pontblyddyn 2nds 115-2, Brymbo 2nds 114-7.#