NORTHOP took full advantage of Mochdre being rained off to close the gap on the Premier Division leaders.

Northop beat Gresford by seven wickets despite the visitors, who are struggling in the bottom two, scoring 191 for eight.

Skipper Matt Thompson top scored with 45, sharing a 83-run partnership with Chris Mullock, who hit 35.

Ashraf Nawab took 4-20 from his 10 overs with Andrew Oates snapping up three wickets.

A rain delay meant Northop, who are now 27 points behind Mochdre, were set a revised target of 118.

And it took them only 22.3 overs to reach 123 for three, Peet Pienaar blasting an unbeaten 66 which included nine fours and a six.

Gwersyllt Park’s tail did a grand job in sneaking a two wicket home win over bottom-of-the-table Llandudno, who had put 194 on the board as Venumadhav Peram landed 3-20.

Iroshan De Silva and Dan Jones also took two wickets before the latter, batting at number nine, hit an unbeaten 33 to steer Park to 196 for eight. Opener Jake James top scored with 47.

Joe Norm\an and Dan Parry took three wickets each as Brymbo bowled out hosts Bangor for 119. But then came the rain washing away any hopes Brymbo had of a quick run chase.

Denbigh stunned St Asaph with a 13-run triumph.

Denbigh bowled the Saints out for 131 after they were dismissed for 144.

Northop Seconds remain top of Division One with their unbeaten record still in tact after beating Dolgellau by 83 runs.

The leaders were all out for 171 but then dismissed Dolgellau for 88 to stay top of the pile, 21 points ahead of Bethesda whose game at home to Connah’s Quay was abandoned.

Opener Joshua Clarke (59) and Brody Camp (57) had helped Quay post 203 for eight in their 45 overs at the crease but the match ended with Bethesda on 68 for one.

Mold in third won by seven wickets at Brymbo seconds who were dismissed for 135, Thomas Hankins (36) the top scorer as George Godwin took 3-27.

It wasn’t enough as Mold hit 140 for three to secure victory, opening batsmen Thomas North (36) and Ewan Hill (47) laying the platform.

Hawarden Park are sixth following their thrilling tie with Conwy.

Aled Wilkinson was 41 not out in Park’s 161 for seven (Shaun Davies 3-14) and Conwy, set a revised target of 148 from 45 overs, were all out for 148. Davies (32) was also in form with the bat as James Martin, Tom Norris and Evan Shaw all claimed two victims.

Pontblyddyn triumphed by three wickets against Halkyn who made 144 for eight, Duane Williams (43) leading the way as James Hughes finished with 4-23.

In reply, Gethin Thomas was in superb form at the top of the order, hitting an unbeaten 71 as they won with 146 for seven

Buckley went down by 38 runs against Abergele who cracked 245 for seven (Adam Shaw 4-26). Set a revised target of 161, Buckley ended on 122 for seven (Ollie Fellows 49).

NORTH WALES SCOREBOARD

Division Two: Corwen 134-9 Carmel & District 131; Gresford 2nds 144-6 Llay Welfare 145-3; Llanrwst 158 Bangor 2nds 160-5; Mochdre 2nds 12-0 Marchwiel and Wrexham 155-7 (abandoned).

Div Three: Connah’s Quay 2nds 98-7 Hawarden Park 2nds 161-9; Mold 2nds 232-7 Bethesda 2nds 214.

Div Four: Corwen 2nds conceded against Marchwiel and Wrexham 2nds; Mynydd Isa & Maeshafn against Ruthin 2nds abandoned.