MOLD SECONDS were the big winners in the race for the Division Three title.

With leaders Abergele Seconds and second placed St Asaph Seconds both losing, Mold beat Gwersyllt Park Seconds by 72 runs to close the gap to the summit to 19 points.

A fine opening stand between Craig Roberts and Ewan Hill, who both hit 43, set the tone for Mold, who posted 195 for seven as Connor Hughes finished unbeaten on 54.

Tom Gledhill claimed 3-36 and Ryan Collier bagged 2-39 for Gwersyllt, who were dismissed for 123 in reply.

Collier top scored with 39 and Ralfie Challinor added 25, but Mold's attack of Lewis Pringle (3-30), Roberts (2-14) and Hughes (2-22) were just too good.

Lowly Mynydd Isa and Maeshafn Seconds did Mold a favour by beating Abergele Seconds by 50 runs.

Cameron Roche hit 30 and Tom Hall contributed 24 as Isa were bowled out for 118, which proved enough as the visitors' bowling attack took centre stage.

Soham Trivedi (4-20), Matty Blunden (3-6) and Roche (2-15) all impressed as Abergele were skittled for 68.

Pontblyddyn Seconds flexed their muscles to inflict an eight-wicket defeat on St Asaph Seconds.

Amer Jamil's unbeaten 55 helped St Asaph to 147 for five, a total that was made to look far smaller by Pontblyddyn's top order.

Tom Dawson struck 52 and Mark Hughes hit 44 not out as Pont raced to 151 for two inside 35 overs of their reply.

Connah's Quay Seconds needed just 26.5 overs to wrap up a 10-wicket home win over nine-man Carmel and District Seconds.

Only Richard Jones (25no) scored more than five as Carmel were skittled for 34, Chris Boden helping himself to 5-13.

Quay cruised to 35 without loss with Rhys Ryder (19no) and Liam Jones (15no) in control.

Hawarden Park Seconds were also impressive winners, beating hosts Pwllheli Seconds by seven wickets.

Nick Wood's 4-5 and two wickets apiece from Ahmed Javed and James Martin saw 10-man Pwllheli dismissed for 42.

Martin Hinton broke the back of the run chase for Hawarden with 26.

Buckley Seconds produced a solid performance with bat and ball to secure a three-wicket win at Denbigh Seconds.

The home side managed to post 163 for eight as Ian Hall's unbeaten 39 and 37 extras helped them put together a decent total after winning the toss.

But Buckley's batsmen were equal to the challenge, chasing down Denbigh's total to record a fine win.

Northop Seconds’ chances of gatecrashing the Division Two title race are all but over after they slipped to a seven-wicket defeat at the hands of Gresford Seconds.

The Flintshire outfit won the toss and elected to bat, James Roberts (33) and Chris Brooks (30) helping their side to 151 all out as Matt Daulby picked up 4-16 and Sam Cooper and Adam Khan claimed two wickets apiece.

Brooks then claimed two wickets, but Gresford were able to secure victory with plenty of time to spare, courtesy of Joe Benson (49) and Joshua Knowles (42 not out).

Halkyn, without a game, are 10 points clear at the top after Bangor Seconds closed the gap with a 19-run victory at Mochdre Seconds.

Andy Williams and Jamie Davies both struck unbeaten 75s as Bangor posted 166 for three, before Chris Jones (4-16) and Jonny Wells (3-24) bowled Mochdre out for 147.

Buckley, in third, are now just 28 points off top spot as they defeated Menai Bridge Seconds by 57 runs.

After being invited to bat first, Buckley set about posting 174 for nine from their 45 overs - a total that was easily defendable with the Flintshire side’s bowling attack in fine form.

Louis Parry led the way with 4-18, while Adam Shaw (3-15) and Rhys Jones (2-21) also impressed as Menai were dismissed for 117.

Mynydd Isa’s home clash with Marchwiel and Wrexham and Corwen’s scheduled fixture with visiting Brymbo Seconds both fell foul to the wet weather.

Marchwiel and Wrexham Seconds pieced together a decent performance with bat and ball to beat Ruthin Seconds by nine wickets in Division Four.

Mike Lee and Oliver Heard-Edwards both picked up two wickets as Ruthin limped to 91 for six. Matthew Lewis then struck 49 to help Marchwiel to victory.

Halkyn Seconds came unstuck against Dolgellau Seconds as they were bowled out for 71 chasing their opponents’ 127.