NORTHOP SECONDS remain top of Division One with their unbeaten record still in tact after beating Buckley by five wickets.

Buckley were put into bat and it proved to be the correct decision with Northop bowling the home side out for 141.

Ollie Fellows top scored with 34 as Matthew Mullarkey and Mark Poynton both took three wickets, and Northop clinched victory with 146 for five.

Darren Williams’ unbeaten 64 proved crucial for Northop despite Fellows (3 for 27) also proving his worth with the ball, and they now hold a 29 point lead at the summit.

Fourth placed Mold maintained their promotion challenge with a two wickets success over Halkyn.

Andrew Kendrick’s 48 not out helped push Halkyn’s score up to 154 for six as Mold saw six different bowlers take the wickets.

It wasn’t enough as Mold hit 155 for eight for victory with Usman Butt (34) and Connor Hughes (33) helping them home. Ben Roberts finished with 3 for 37.

Connah’s Quay are fifth following their four wickets loss at home to second placed Conwy, although they gave it a good go.

Darren Jones (71) and Brody Camp (82) were in superb form, putting on 169 for the third wicket as Quay cracked 200 for six but Conwy reached their target and triumphed with 204 for six with just under five overs remaining.

Mal Auty and Jack Griffiths claimed two victims apiece for Quay who saw Evan Williams smash 92 at the top of the order for Conwy.

The match between Dolgellau and Pontblyddyn ended in a tie.

Only Nick Thomas (33) got into doubles figures as Dolgellau were dismissed for 84 thanks largely to Jaco Oosthuizen who took a brilliant 7 for 19, ably supported by Sion Francis (3 for 11).

Pont made a poor start in reply and although Stuart Evans (24) steadied the ship, he only has assistance from Sam Jones (15) as they were also out for 84 after 33.4 overs.

Brymbo seconds won by 10 wickets against Hawarden Park to boost their hopes of avoiding relegation.

Bethesda (95) stay third in the standings despite losing by 27 runs against Abergele (122).

CRICKET SCOREBOARD

Division Two: Gresford 2nds 61 Corwen 62/0; Llanrwst 62/3 Menai Bridge 2nds 61; Llay Welfare 162 Bangor 2nds 103; Mochdre 2nds 82/0 Carmel & District 80; Pontblyddyn 2nds 75 Marchwiel and Wrexham 76/1.

Div Three: Bethesda 2nds v Connah’s Quay 2nds 46/6 abandoned; Conwy 2nds 150/6 Buckley 2nds 168/7; Halkyn 2nds 31 Clwb Criced Caernarfon 32/1; Hawarden Park 2nds 106/7 Denbigh 2nds 109/3; Pwllheli 110/7 Mold 2nds 109; Ruthin 91 Gwersyllt Park 2nds 116.

Div Four: Bersham 2nds 83/2 Llanrwst 2nds 78; Corwen 2nds 72 Hawarden Park 3rds 74/1; Marchwiel and Wrexham 2nds 103/1 Abergele 2nds 102/7.

Chirk were second best in their 105 run defeat at Newport in Division One of the Shropshire League.

The hosts hammered 241 for nine from their 45 overs, captain Luke Gardner and Shaun Walker taking three wickets apiece.

Chirk were then skittled out for just 136, opener Wynn Jones top scoring with 33.

Northop Hall fell short on 118 for six chasing Southport Trinity’s 152 for nine in Division Two of the Liverpool Competition.

Nathan Roett (4-50) and Andrew Watkin (3-26) were Hall’s best bowlers while James Hurlin top scored for them with 32.