THE leading three sides in the Premier Division all suffered weekend losses as the season reached its midway point.

St Asaph, Brymbo and Northop failed to make the most of their opportunities as they were beaten and it’s now a five-way chase for the top honour this summer.

On the back of terrific triumphs over defending champions Menai Bridge and Brymbo, title-chasing Northop suffered a four-wicket reverse at home to Bangor.

Home skipper Bart Ryan-Beswick opted to make first use of the batting track after he won the toss and Northop were bowled out for 207.

Matthew Williams (51) and opener James Roberts (31) were the chief contributors, as Franco Kasner snapped up five for 34 from his 10 overs.

Robert Marshall’s unbeaten knock of 73 was an important one as Bangor responded with 211 for six, achieving victory with two deliveries to spare.

Charlie Collins (3-50) and Marlon Barclay (2-26) kept Northop interested.

Brymbo’s title aims were dealt a blow in their 16-run loss at Mochdre.

Meanwhile, leaders St Asaph were well beaten by 60 runs at home to Menai Bridge, who were all out for 190 (Will Blair 83, Danny Ryan 5-38).

Despite a 50 from Duncan Midgley, the Saints could only muster 130 in reply. Mathew Jones (3-21) was the pick of the attack.

Halkyn boosted their survival hopes via a key 31-run triumph over Flintshire rivals Mold.

Ahead of the encounter, Mold were in the bottom-three, while Halkyn were sitting six points clear of the relegation zone.

Halkyn recovered from being 121 for seven to set 204 all out.

Nathan Roett top scored with his run-a-ball 66, supported by Andrew Watkin (35) and Muhammad Bajwa (26).

Munowar Samsodien and Richard Deniz both grabbed three wickets for Mold, whose reply was halted on 173.

Ewan Hill (52) and George Deniz (46) compiled a first wicket stand of 65, while Daniel Drew added 29 in the middle order. Ben Roberts (4-17) and Graeme Settle (3-19) were Halkyn’s star bowlers.

There were maximum points for Gresford in their 10-wicket triumph at Pontblyddyn.

Only Chris Moss (18) reached double figures as Pontblyddyn stumbled to 49 all out (Chris Ellwood 4-19, Daniel Williams 2-1).

Williams (26 not out) and Sam Thompson (20 not out) guided Gresford to 51 without loss inside 10 overs.

Elsewhere, Denbigh gained a 19-run victory from their visit to Llandudno, who were all out for 150 (Tom Thornton 38no, Stuart Griffiths 2-14).

This was in response to Denbigh’s 169 (Sam Lewis 41, Oliver Hughes 3-22).

CRICKET SCOREBOARD

Division Two: Bangor 2nds 165-6 St Asaph 2nds 164-9; Bersham 171-7 Mold 2nds 160; Brymbo 2nds 162-7 Mochdre 2nds 160; Gresford 2nds 42 Carmel & District 43-5; Llanrwst 149-7 Pontblyddyn 2nds 131-6.

Division Three: Gwersyllt Park 2nds 113 Connah’s Quay 2nds 211-9.

Division Four: Marchwiel and Wrexham 2nds 131-7 Hawarden Park 3rds 132-6; Ruthin 2nds 104 Dolgellau 2nds 108-7.