THERE were positives and negatives for two promotion rivals in the latest spot of Division Two action.

Leaders Marchwiel Wrexham made sure of their 12th triumph of the summer, but Llay were dealt a blow in their efforts to claim promotion.

This was supplied by a five-wicket loss in their home clash with Corwen.

Joe Howell (28) and Jack Edwards (23) enjoyed good starts as Llay were all out for 146.

William Pooler, Steff Lloyd and Liam Thomas bagged two wickets apiece for Corwen, who then replied with 149 for five (Simon Harrison 35, Mark Wyeth 34 not out).

There were no such concerns for title favourites Marchwiel and Wrexham as they got the better of Llanrwst by 19 runs.

Sam Shoemark (54) and Gareth Evans (30) were the leading contributors in Marchwiel and Wrexham’s 163 for seven. Despite Aron Hughes’ unbeaten 89, time ran out with Llanrwst on 144 for eight.

Second-placed Mochdre seconds made sure of a 90-run win away at Gresford seconds, who were dismissed for 105 (Gez Jones 44, Russ Boswell 4-1). Owen Opie struck 66 not out in Mochdre’s 195 for five.

Carmel & District timed things well as they defeated Menai Bridge seconds by four wickets with an over to spare.

Edward Gadsby cracked 87 out of Bridge’s 162 for five, while Daniel Oliver (45) and Jeivishnu Prithivaraj (35) helped Carmel to 163 for six.

Bersham, situated in the relegation zone, suffered a three-wicket defeat at home to Bangor seconds, who made 156 for six (Venkata Kanyadari 3-42).

Earlier in the proceedings, Sujeesh Vazhadan (76) and Nilanka De Silva (35) led Bersham to 155 all out (Gareth Edwards 5-12).

Meanwhile, Pontblyddyn seconds were on the wrong end of an 85-run outcome at St Asaph seconds, who amassed 196 for nine (David Brilley 3-19). Pontblyddyn’s reply reached 111 for nine.

Mold seconds stunned Division Three leaders Ruthin with a thumping 108-run triumph.

Chris Boulton (58) and Harry Williams (54) were in fine form as Mold set 233 for seven and Ruthin were then dismissed for 121.

Mold are still in the chase for promotion, as are Hawarden Park seconds, who got the better of Halkyn seconds by 10 wickets. Will Hinton (5-12) and Jack Williams (4-6) impressed in Halkyn’s 59, while Williams (25no) and Jared Bennett (28no) led Park to 62 without loss.

Gwersyllt Park seconds dominated their match at Conwy seconds to run out winners by 161 runs.

Ben Griffiths hit a brilliant 105 in Gwersyllt’s run-a-ball 240 for four (Dafydd Millington 63) and Conwy’s response was halted on 79 (Griffiths 3-1, Daniel Rutter 3-21).

Connah’s Quay seconds beat Caernarfon after setting 140 all out (Ian Morgan 6-17). The visitors could only muster 98.

In a thrilling contest, Buckley seconds pipped Bethesda seconds by six runs. Ollie Fellows’ knock of 49 was crucial to Buckley’s 150 all out and despite an innings of 62 from Dylan Hughes, Bethesda finished up short on 144 (Tom Pool 3-17, Fellows 3-21).

Elsewhere, Denbigh seconds got the better of second-placed Pwllheli by 31 runs.

The Division Four promotion race looks set to go right down to the wire.

Third-placed Marchwiel and Wrexham seconds strengthened their hand via a 110-run outcome at home to Dolgellau seconds.

The hosts got to 172 for six and Jeremy Wilks’ 4-15 return played its part in Dolgellau’s 62.

Also in the promotion picture are Mynydd Isa & Maeshafn, who defeated Ruthin seconds by six wickets.

Jamie Hughes’ 85 led Ruthin to 178 for nine (Venkat Sundaram 3-10), but Mynydd Isa & Maeshafn overhauled their target to reach 179 for four with more than 10 overs to spare. Sanath Shetty (59) and Umang Desai (55) led the charge.

Jo Robinson (102 not out) and John Cooper (72) were in great form as Hawarden Park thirds defeated Llanrwst seconds by 135 runs.

Leaders Llandudno seconds enjoyed a 110-run triumph away to Abergele seconds.