JAMES CLAYBROOK insisted that defeat was not an option for Brymbo at Pontblyddyn - and his team showed their class to win by seven runs.

Brymbo went into the Premier Division trip to Alder Meadow languishing in the relegation zone after starting the season without a win.

But Brymbo gave themselves a chance of ending that barren run by posting 181 for seven, captain Claybrook (48), Mohamed Nilam Jayman (37) and Dan Parry (34) impressing as James Hughes took 3-48.

Pontblyddyn soon found themselves 39 for five and then 79 for seven, before Chris Moss threatened to lead his side to victory with a 56-ball 79.

Once Moss departed, however, Pont came up short as Parry (4-28) and Jayman (4-44) caught the eye for Brymbo.

There was no such change of fortune for Connah’s Quay, the basement outfit suffering a 203-run home defeat to Menai Bridge.

Visiting Menai were invited to bat first, the innings anchored by Dion Holden’s 96 as Robbie Jones blasted a 65-ball 102 not out, including nine fours and six sixes, to lead the visitors to an imposing 334 for seven.

Quay lost captain Martin Burger to a second ball duck, and from then on the writing was on the wall, despite David Fox’s 79.

Gerallt Roberts pocketed 5-34 as Quay’s reply was ended on 131.

Northop were unable to knock Bangor off top spot as the leaders held their nerve to secure a 10-run away win.

James Birch and Bart Beswick took two wickets apiece, but Bangor were able to post 224 for six, Nadeem Rehman hitting 71.

Northop’s reply got off to a steady start before Ammar Mahmood (65) and Ben Beaver (35) shared a 67-run fourth wicket stand.

Unfortunately for Northop, once both men had departed they slipped from 184 for four to 214 all out.

Gresford suffered an eight-wicket defeat at Mochdre.

Chris Ellwood (39) and Gareth Bell (35) were the main run scorers as Gresford were restricted to 134 for eight from their 50 overs.

And Mochdre wasted little time in wrapping up victory as Alex Davies hit 56 not out.

Pwllheli (237-8) picked up a key 32-run win over Llandudno (205), while Denbigh (130-4) beat St Asaph (129) by six wickets.

Llay Welfare continued their Division One title challenge with an eight-wicket win over Wrexham rivals Gwersyllt Park.

Nathan Humphreys grabbed 4-22 as Gwersyllt were restricted to just 144 for nine, Lee Beer (36) and Dominic Mitchell (33) in the runs.

Jack Parry (41) helped Llay’s reply get off to a solid start, before Chris Woodcock’s unbeaten 48 saw the visiting side across the line.

Mold produced an impressive run-chase to record a six-wicket success over Dolgellau.

John Crane (3-44) and two wickets apiece from Usman Butt and Wes Gillam were not enough to prevent Dolgellau posting 229 for nine.

Mold slipped to 41 for two in reply, but Usman Butt (67) and Duane Williams (41) steadied the ship before Isaac Allen (40 not out) and Crane (34no) led the hosts to victory.

Carmel and District were just too good for Bersham as they eased to a 123-run away win.

Daniel Owens (62), Ben Sim (58) and Dafydd Bailey (37) helped Carmel to 254 for eight, Rishan Fernando and Rathnayaka Shanka with three wickets apiece.

Jack Whitehouse starred after the turnaround, bagging 5-26 to bowl Bersham out for just 131.

Joe Forde hit 34 and Mike Wootton claimed 2-32, but Hawarden Park (149) lost to Conwy (152-4) by six wicket.

Scott Thomas struck 136 as Llanrwst (261) overcame Ruthin (228-9) by 33 runs.

SCOREBOARD

Premier Division: Connah’s Quay 131, Menai Bridge 334-7; Denbigh 130-4, St Asaph 129; Mochdre 140-2, Gresford 134-8; Northop 214, Bangor 224-6; Pontblyddyn 174, Brymbo 181-7; Pwllheli 237-8, Llandudno 205.

Division One: Abergele 121-7, Bethesda 127-5; Bersham 131, Carmel 254-8; Conwy 152-4, Hawarden Park 149; Gwersyllt Park 144-9, Llay Welfare 145-2; Llanrwst 261, Ruthin 228-9; Mold 230-4, Dolgellau 229-9.

Division Two: Bangor 2nds 212-5, Halkyn 80; Brymbo 2nds 160-5, Marchwiel and Wrexham 157-9; Corwen 73, Mynydd Isa and Maeshafn 119; Gresford 2nds 156-4, Mochdre 2nds 153; Menai Bridge 2nds 61, Buckley 63-5.

Division Three: Buckley 2nds 141, Pontblyddyn 2nds 142-6; Carmel 2nds, Mold 2nds (Carmel conceded); Hawarden Park 2nds 72, Gwersyllt Park 2nds 73-2; St Asaph 2nds 139, Denbigh 2nds 126.

Division Four: Dolgellau 2nds, Rhewl (Rhewl conceded); Halkyn 2nds, Llanrwst 2nds (Halkyn conceded); Llangollen 151-9, Conwy 2nds 96; Ruthin 2nds 100-0, Llandudno 2nds 98.