IF Northop are going to lift North Wales Cricket’s Premier Division title in two weeks’ time then Saturday’s thrilling one-wicket win at champions Menai Bridge proves they’re well worthy of it.

Menai posted 207 for seven thanks to an unbeaten 62-run eighth-wicket partnership between Iwan Moore (40) and Gerallt Roberts (35).

Ben Beaver’s 35 and a top score of 48 from Marlon Barclay put Northop on course but they needed the last wicket pair of Charlie Collins and Mark Poynton to grab the nine runs needed for victory.

St Asaph are still breathing down Northop’s neck after bowling Llandudno out for 82 in a seven-wicket success.

That victory cut the gap between them and the leaders to just nine points although the Saints do have to go to Menai Bridge on the final day of the season.

Third-placed Brymbo, who head to Northop this Saturday, beat Mold by six wickets.

Despite a superb 60 from opener John Williams, it was Chris Taylor who starred for Brymbo taking an impressive 7-9 off 5.4 overs as Mold were dismissed for 128. Man of the match Taylor then added 51 to go with James Claybrook’s 41.

Halkyn are virtually safe after winning by 66 runs at bottom club Pontblyddyn, who couldn’t deal with Nathan Roett (6-7) as they were skittled out for 81 chasing Halkyn’s 147. Jamie Griffiths (43) top scored for Halkyn as Mark Neath took 4-34.

Gresford hit 170 for seven before bowling out Bangor to win by 43 runs at Clappers Lane.

The Thompsons - Sam (39) and captain Matthew (37) top scored - and Chris Ellwood took 4-25.

Denbigh beat Mochdre in the other Premier Division game while Gwersyllt Park will be playing in the top flight next season after they secured the Division One title with a three-wicket home win over promotion rivals Conwy.

Captain Iroshan Se Silva took 5-17 and Dan Jones grabbed two wickets as Conwy were bowled out for 129. George Miles’ 41 led Park to 130 for seven.

Hawarden Park look set for a top-two finish after bowling out bottom club Marchwiel and Wrexham for just 48 en route to a 122-run victory.

Llay Welfare, who only had 10 men, are still in with a chance of beating the drop after defeating relegation rivals, Menai Bridge Seconds, by four wickets.

Dave Phennah landed 5-9 as Bridge were skittled for 84.

Henry Dowd top scored with 64 in Northop Seconds’ 256 for eight and Darren Williams took 3-27 and Sandeep Anantharaman (4-30) as they beat Dolgellau by 115 runs.

Jason Du Toit hit a stunning 112 as Connah’s Quay piled on 272 for nine in a 111-run battering of Bethesda.

Josh Clarke’s 70 also put the Quay, for whom Lee Davies and Callum Miller took three wickets, in charge.

Buckley’s Louis Parry (44) and Joshua Murray (36) batted well as they posted 212 for nine in a 70-run victory over Abergele. Ollie Fellows and Adam Shaw took three wickets apiece.

CRICKET SCOREBOARD

Division Two: Bangor 2nds 188-3 Pontblyddyn 2nds 96; Bersham 73-6 Mochdre 2nds 72-7; Carmel & District 127-9 Llanrwst 119; Hawarden Park 2nds 116-9 Gresford 2nds 99; St Asaph 2nds 239-6 Buckley 2nds 90.

Division Three: Bethesda 2nds 110-7 Caernarfon 59; Conwy 2nds 123 Corwen 77; Denbigh 2nds 132 Connah’s Quay 2nds 140.

Division Four: Abergele 2nds 77 Carmel & District 2nds 79-8; Halkyn 2nds 149-7 Ruthin 2nds 42; Llanrwst 2nds 48-2 Marchwiel and Wrexham 2nds 44.

Northop Hall suffered an 86-run reverse during their home Liverpool Competition Division Two encounter with Wavertree.

John Henry Daulby’s 41 helped Wavertree to 198 all out (Will Edwards 4-50, Carwyn Johnson 4-59). Michael Williamson (28) top scored in Hall’s 112.

Meanwhile, in Division One of the Shropshire League, Chirk were beaten by five wickets at Lilleshall, who struck 155-5 (Jonathan Phillips 3-27, Andrew Swarbrick 2-23).

This was in response to Chirk’s 153 (Wynn Jones 40).