ST ASAPH fell to their first loss of the campaign thanks to a 150-run home reverse at the hands of North Wales Cricket League Premier Division champions Menai Bridge.

The Saints were unable to claim another early season scalp in their quest to dethrone Bridge this summer, and the city side will look to get back to winning ways at the first opportunity when they welcome newly promoted Pontblyddyn to Elwy Grove Park on Saturday.

Things did not begin well for the visitors in the middle as James Jones was dismissed by Liam Moores for a duck, with Danny Ryan taking out dangerous skipper Dion Holden after the all-rounder made a promising 19.

Overseas star Sean O’Callaghan was clean bowled by Jason Foulkes after making an impressive 44, and opener Luke Jones was also in good form before he was eventually ousted from the crease Ryan one run short of his half century.

Another standout performer with the bat was Holyhead Hotspur goalkeeper Carl Jones, who smashed his way to 68 from 87 deliveries, with wicketkeeper Robbie Jones boosting the score thanks to a 25 knock.

Both were removed by Ryan, who ended another superb outing with figures of 4-64 from a 12-over spell, but an unbeaten 50 Gethin Roberts enable the away side to set an imposing target of 268-6 from their allotted 50.

Things looked promising for the Saints early on thanks to a stubborn opening stand from Mathew Ryan and Duncan Midgley, who made 21 and 26 respectively until they were both despatched by Liam Bibby.

The bowler wasted no time in making a further impact on the contest with the quick-fire wickets of Nathanael Scott (5) and Will Ryan (4), and he also sent David Lloyd (0) back to the pavilion soon after to end a devastating 12-over spell on 5-39.

Daniel Williams provided brief resistance but was trapped lbw by Holden, and O’Callaghan helped himself to a pair of victims late on in the form of Foulkes (6) and Danny Ryan (8) as the home side were all out for 118 in reply.