BOWLERS continue to hold the upper hand when it comes to action in the Premier Division.

In the five latest encounters in North Wales’ top flight, no side managed to get beyond the 200 mark as the ball remains mightier than the bat heading into June.

Last season’s runners-up Northop are now two points away from returning to the top-two on the back of their eight-wicket triumph at home to bottom side Llandudno.

It was Llandudno who opted to bat first after they won the toss and they were dismissed for 128 in the 37th over.

Divya Pratap top scored with 31, as Andy Poynton picked up three for 23 for Northop, who also saw Rocco Franco, Mark Poynton and Ben Beaver claim two wickets apiece.

Pete Pienaar (68 not out) and Beaver (26 not out) then led Northop to a winning 132 for two.

Brymbo, in fourth, also gained an eight-wicket outcome from their trip to Ystrad Road to tackle Denbigh.

Richard Deniz picked up a brilliant five for 20 return as Denbigh stumbled from 109 for three to 126 all out.

Joe Norman and Adam De Rycke secured two wickets each, while Andy Thomas (40) was the leading scorer.

Mohamed Nilam Jayman (36), Connor Davies (36 not out) and Chris Taylor (31 not out) then guided Brymbo to 127 for two.

Gresford gathered their first triumph of the campaign as they saw off visitors Bangor.

Joe Benson’s undefeated knock of 51 was a vital one as Gresford recovered from being 13 for three to set 156 for eight from their 50 overs.

Skipper Matt Thompson contributed 34, while Owen Reilly’s three for 30 return kept Bangor interested.

Although Smit Parekh (30) and Nadeem Rehman (29) both got decent starts, Bangor’s response was halted on 138.

Both of these batsmen were dismissed by Gareth Bell, while Simon Perry (3-27) and Tom Crewe (3-30) also impressed with the ball.

Gwersyllt Park suffered a nine-wicket reverse during their trip to unbeaten leaders Mochdre, who made it five wins out of five for the season.

Jake James (35) led the scoring stakes in Park’s 94 all out (Stewart Williams 4-17, Marcus Mangiameli 4-25).

Alex Davies then struck an unbeaten 68 in Mochdre’s 97 for one.

With just over a quarter of the season now completed, Mochdre find themselves 15 points clear of defending champions St Asaph, who recorded a comfortable 58-run victory from their match at Menai Bridge.

Nathanael Scott struck 58 in the Saints’ 188 all out (Dion Holden 4-35).

Bridge’s reply was ended on 130, as Dan Evans and Will Norman snapped-up three wickets apiece.

CRICKET SCOREBOARD

Division Two: Bangor 2nds 173-8 Gresford 2nds 161-3; Llanrwst 92-6 Mochdre 2nds 79; Marchwiel and Wrexham 103-2 Menai Bridge 2nds 102; Pontblyddyn 2nds 114-9 Llay 115-2; St Asaph 2nds 145-9 Corwen 193-7.

Division Three: Bethesda 2nds 61 Hawarden Park 2nds 159-8; Connah’s Quay 2nds 284-5 Halkyn 2nds 56; Mold 2nds 287-8 Conwy 2nds 169-9.

Division Four: Carmel & District 2nds 98 Bersham 2nds 261-8; Corwen 2nds 99 Llanrwst 2nds 153-6.