GWERSYLLT PARK certainly enjoyed their first outing in North Wales cricket’s top flight.

Following on from claiming the Division One title, Park were a match for multiple North Wales champions Menai Bridge, who gained an 18-run opening day success.

Jack Gower (90) was the key figure as Bridge set 189 for seven. Ryan Collier and Neil Pearson claimed three wickets apiece for Gwersyllt Park, whose reply ended on 171 with nine balls remaining.

Collier (47) and Jake James (40) took the visitors close, as Matthew Jones finished with 4-34.

Defending champions St Asaph are up-and-running again on the back of their 21-run success over Brymbo, who were dismissed for 144 (Chris Taylor 38, Danny Ryan 2-13).

Earlier in the day, Nathanael Scott’s knock of 51 helped the Saints to 165 for seven. Brymbo’s Connor Davies claimed 3-28.

Northop, last season’s runners-up, opened with a 113-run loss at home to Mochdre, who initially cracked 252 for five (Matty Humphreys 70, Adam Campion 70 not out). Elliot Colclough claimed two wickets for Northop, whose reply ended on 139 (Pete Pienaar 72, Marcus Mangiameli 5-25).

Gresford were pipped by two wickets in a close tussle at Denbigh, who claimed victory courtesy of 123 for eight (Harrison Jones 33, Chris Ellwood (pictured below) 3-31). Skipper Matt Thompson top scored with 37 in Gresford’s initial 121 (Sam Lewis 4-10).

Bangor secured a 55-run win from their trip to Llandudno.

Four of the six scheduled contests in Division One went ahead and Mold held their nerve to pip Pontblyddyn by one wicket.

Two wickets apiece from Jon Crane, Munowar Samsodien, George Godwin and Lewis Pringle helped to restrict Pontblyddyn to 67 for nine.

Mold responded with a winning 71 for nine, despite the best efforts of Chris Moss (3-17), Sam Andrews (2-9) and Rhys Jones (2-16).

Northop Seconds enjoyed a winning start to the campaign via their 111-run verdict over Connah’s Quay.

Andrew Oates’ knock of 40 led the way in Northop’s 146 all out (Darren Leach 5-26, Mali Auty 3-41). Matthew Mullarkey (6-15) and Fabio Franco (4-14) were in great form as Quay’s reply ended on 35.

Buckley lost by 87 runs at Bethesda, who hit 227 for three (Carwyn Williams 106 not out). Jack Whitley (40) and Jack Gibson (39no) compiled an eighth-wicket stand of 79 in Buckley’s 140 for nine (Daniel Oshyer 4-16). In the remaining match, Abergele got the better of Conwy by five wickets.

CRICKET SCOREBOARD

Division Two: Bangor 2nds 88-3 St Asaph 2nds 100-6; Corwen 110 Marchwiel and Wrexham 97; Pontblyddyn 2nds 100 Carmel & District 98.

Division Three: Buckley 2nds 73 Mold 2nds 75-5; Conwy 2nds 118-8 Bethesda 2nds 127-7; Ruthin 30-0 Connah’s Quay 2nds 26.

Division Four: Bersham 2nds 108 Abergele 2nds 23; Marchwiel and Wrexham 2nds 187-4 Llandudno 2nds 91.