NORTHOP took a giant stride to wiping out their 15-point Premier Division deduction by clinching an 82-run derby win over Pontblyddyn.

The Flint Road outfit started the season on minus points for their involvement in a scuffle at St Asaph at the end of the last campaign.

But 14 of those points have been won back after Northop posted 261 for seven having being invited to bat first, before bowling visiting Pontblyddyn out for 179.

Northop new boy Ammar Mahmood struck an unbeaten 88, while Matthew Williams hit a half century as Glenn Chambers took 3-24.

Mahmood continue his impressive debut with 3-19 and Bart Ryan-Beswick pocketed 3-51 as Pontblyddyn slipped from 112 for two to 179 all out, David Foulkes top scoring with 62.

Gresford came up agonisingly short of pulling off a memorable victory as they suffered a four-run defeat at the hands of reigning champions Menai Bridge.

In a game featuring 642 runs, Menai hit 323 of them for the loss of seven wickets after winning the toss, Dion Holden striking a century and Sean O'Callaghan adding 86 as Chris Ellwood and Ryan Williams took three wickets apiece.

Gresford weren't put off by the size of the run chase, however, as Sam Thompson (77), Ellwood (67) and Matthew Cree (66) were all in the runs.

But Menai were able to take prize wickets at key times as Gresford fell just short.

There was nothing for Brymbo to be cheerful about on their trip down the A55 as Bangor wrapped up a seven-wicket win inside 56 overs.

Only Gareth Boyes reached double figures as he hit 12 - a score matched by extras - as a depleted Brymbo were skittled for just 51.

Mohamed Nilam Jayman (2-21) and Boyes (1-11 from 12 overs) bowled impressively for Brymbo, but the damage had been done.

It was a tough day at the office for Connah's Quay as they suffered a 213-run defeat at the hands of newly-promoted Mochdre.

Quay captain Martin Burger was left red faced as he won the toss and elected to bowl, Mochdre piling on a huge 448 for three.

Matthew Humphreys struck an unbeaten 185, while Alex Davies hit 102 and extras totalled an eye-watering 101, including 91 wides.

David Fox hit 115 in reply for Quay, but they were restricted to just 235 for seven in reply.

Denbigh are the early pacesetters after they bowled Pwllheli out for 79 before easing to 84 for one in reply to claim a nine-wicket win, Harrison Jones bagging 5-13.

Matty Ryan claimed 5-19 as St Asaph (145-9) recorded a 31-run success at Llandudno (114).

Bersham are the Division One frontrunners after they cruised to a 103-run home win over rivals Gwersyllt Park.

Rishan Fernando (57) and Dilan Jayawardene (34) top scored as Bersham posted 163, a total helped by 42 extras.

Bersham's bowling attack were in far less charitable mood, Babar Siddiqui (3-1), Nilanka De Silva (2-7), Suresh Lakmal Koswathage (2-7) and Tim Jones (2-27) combining to skittle Gwersyllt for 60 in reply.

Llay Welfare kicked-off their campaign with an eight-wicket win over Carmel and District.

Dafydd Bailey was the main run maker as Carmel were restricted to 127 for seven, the opener hitting 47 before being one of three men run-out.

David Phennah (53) and Jacob Roberts (34) broke the back of the run chase as Llay won with 14 overs to spare.

Mold produced a fine all-round performance to defeat visiting Abergele by six wickets.

Richard Deniz (3-29), Lewis Pringle (2-11), Jamie Ryle (2-13) and Richard Crane (2-21) combined to bowl Abergele out for just 123.

Mold slipped to 60 for four in reply, but Duane Williams (55 not out) and Isaac Allen (39no) led their side home with 23 overs to spare.

Conwy (132-1) were also victorious as they eased to a nine-wicket win over Llanrwst (131).

SCOREBOARD

Premier Division: Bangor 53-3, Brymbo 51; Connah's Quay 235-7, Mochdre 448-3; Denbigh 84-1, Pwllheli 79; Llandudno 114, St Asaph 145-9; Menai Bridge 323-7, Gresford 319-8; Northop 261-7, Pontblyddyn 179.

Division One: Bersham 163, Gwersyllt Park 60; Carmel and District 127-7, Llay Welfare 128-2; Conwy 132-1, Llanrwst 131; Mold 124-4, Abergele 123.

Division Two: Brymbo 2nds, Northop 2nds (Brymbo conceded); Buckley 43-1, Corwen 42; Gresford 2nds 85-3, Menai Bridge 2nds 81; Llay Welfare 2nds 109, Bangor 2nds 112-2; Marchwiel and Wrexham 139-8, Halkyn 178-6.

Division Three: Gwersyllt Park 2nds 156-6, Pwllheli 2nds 154-9; Hawarden Park 2nds 169-9, Buckley 2nds 145; Pontblyddyn 2nds 136, Mold 2nds 219; St Asaph 2nds 205-4, Abergele 2nds 201-5.

Division Four: Bethesda 2nds 69-4, Ruthin 2nds 68; Halkyn 2nds, Llandudno 2nds (Halkyn conceded); Llangollen 26-2, Llanrwst 2nds 25.