ST ASAPH continued to turn heads as they secured a convincing nine wicket success at Llanrwst.

Will Ryan’s men have been the surprise package in the North Wales Premier Division this term, and they find themselves sitting in fourth spot in the standings ahead of their home clash with title rivals Menai Bridge on Saturday.

The home side made a difficult start at the crease when Alwyn Williams was despatched by David North, while Andrew Bellis and Matt Ryan took out Meirion Layton and Callum Jones for 15 and eight.

Things got even better for the away side when North removed the prolific Amlyn Layton for an eight-ball duck, and Bellis was on hand once again wo clean bowl Jack Hughes after he made just nine.

The Rwster resistance came from Aron Hughes, who produced an innings of genuine quality to make a resolute 59 from 119 balls before he was eventually skittled by Bellis, who ended a ten over spell with superb figures of 4-15.

Skipper Aled Hughes (15) and Colin Theron (11) were the only other batsmen to make it into double figures as the hosts set a target of 151-9 from their allotted 50 overs.

The unlikely championship contenders reached their total with minimal fuss, with Mathew Ryan nicking a Williams delivery into the hands of Hughes whilst on 26.

This proved to be the only wicket that the city side would lose during their innings, thanks to a stand of 88 from Danny Ryan and in-form wicketkeeper Nathanael Scott.

The duo produced a series of stunning strokes to seal the success, with Ryan and Scott ending unbeaten on 55 and 47 to ensure the visitors reached their target after 41 overs.

nABERGELE were unable to cause a stir at the North Wales Division One summit as they fell to a seven-wicket defeat at table toppers Northop.

A disappointing batting display from the newly promoted side left them with little hope of gaining a shock victory, and Ed Rooney’s men are now just seven points above the drop zone ahead of their trip to Gwersyllt Park on Saturday.

Home bowler Andy Poynton was in ruthless form throughout his 12 over spell, and he took out the opening duo of Ben Garnett and Gareth Edwards for two and 19, before removing the dangerous David Williams after he made an encouraging 11.

The same bowler was also on hand to send Richard Marsh-Evans (0), Sam Painter (3) and Wasim Ali (0) back to the pavilion in quick succession to end with sensational figures of 6-37.

He was ably assisted by brother Mark, who claimed a pair of wickets for the loss of 21 runs, while Bart Ryan-Beswick took two lower order scalps at the cost of just nine runs as the visitors collapsed to 74 out all after a disastrous effort at the crease.