NORTHOP have made sure they’re still in the mix to claim this season’s Premier Division crown after gaining a crucial top-of-the-table triumph.

Second-placed Northop consigned leaders Mochdre to their first loss of 2024 in a six-wicket outcome.

This victory means that Northop now trail Mochdre by 18 points with six matches left to play.

Brymbo couldn’t move closer to the league leaders as they suffered a nine-wicket reverse in their home meeting with defending champions St Asaph.

Sam Aplin’s knock of 40 was the leading contribution as Brymbo were dismissed for just 106.

Ryan Dunning (4-38) did the bulk of the damage for the Saints, who responded with 108 for one (Nathanael Scott 48 not out).

Gresford also lost out by nine wickets at home to Denbigh, who compiled a quickfire 169 for one (James Du Toit 111 not out).

Earlier in the day, skipper Matt Thompson top scored with 69 as Gresford set 168 for eight.

In a high-scoring showdown, Gwersyllt Park lost out by 25 runs at home to Menai Bridge.

Jack Gower cracked 139 as Bridge struck an imposing 294 for eight.

Daniel Jones, skipper Iroshan De Silva and Neil Pearson each picked up two wickets for Park, whose reply reached 269 for five. De Silva (117 not out) and Jake James (41) led the chase.

In the remaining match, Bangor got the better of Llandudno by 76 runs.

It turned out to be a momentous weekend for Chirk all-rounder Andrew Swarbrick in the two-wicket Shropshire League defeat away to Worfield seconds.

Swarbrick picked up his 400th wicket for the club as he had Arthur Smallman caught by James Carter.

In a post on X, Chirk said: “His stats: 400 wickets at 16.51 from 1906 overs with an economy of 3.46.

“His best figures back in 2019 with 9/8... also taking 13x5 wicket hauls along the way. What a player this guy is.”

Swarbrick’s landmark wicket reduced Worfield to 15 for three, but Thomas Rees (36 not out) and captain Piers Rouwenhorst (32 not out) compiled an unbroken stand of 70 as the hosts reached a winning 196 for eight.

Skipper Luke Gardner picked up three for 31 for Chirk, who had earlier set 193 for seven (Wynn Jones 52, Carter 36).

Chirk seconds had to be satisfied with a draw from their Division Seven clash with new leaders Acton Reynald.

Nick Russell (70) helped the visitors to 227 for seven (George Collins 3-22) and Chirk’s response reached 140 for eight (Dale Randall 38).

In Liverpool Competition action, Ben Slater’s Northop Hall side suffered an 81-run reverse at home to Ainsdale.

Stephen Lucas’ unbeaten 134 was crucial to Ainsdale’s 223 for six declared (James Hurlin 3-69).

Slater (65) and Matthew Jones (57) were the leading contributors in Hall’s 142. Andrew Barlow and Dilanka Auwardt claimed five wickets apiece.