ST ASAPH suffered another blow to their North Wales Cricket League Premier Division title hopes as they fell to a 113-run loss at Llandudno.

The Saints suffered back-to-back defeats for the first time this season and they now 38 points behind leaders Menai Bridge ahead of their must-win home tie against derby rivals Denbigh on Saturday.

Things began well for the visitors when Duncan Midgley disposed of talented teenager Matthew Jones for 20, but a stunning partnership from Danial Evans and Keegan Armstrong put the Lions in the ascendancy early on.

The pair put on an outstanding 156 for the second wicket before Evans and Armstrong were both dismissed at the hands of Danny Ryan after contributing 107 and 89 respectively.

Sam Rimmington played a Jason Foulkes delivery into the hands of Ryan after producing a knock of 18, with Kevin James also coming up with valuable runs from his time in the middle to finish unbeaten on 26 as the home side posted a formidable total of 272-4 from their 50 overs at the crease.

Evans wasted no time in making his presence felt with the new ball for the hosts, taking out the opening pair of Mathew Ryan and overseas star Nathanael Scott for 12 apiece, with Jack Rimmington also getting in on the act by removing Midgley for 23.

The one constant was skipper Will Ryan, who continued his fine form with the bat but was clean bowled by Evans at a crucial stage of the innings on 67, with the bowler ending the day with figures of 3-18.

This was a blow that the visitors could not recover from, and Tom Thornton made their task even more difficult with the quick-fire scalps of Foulkes (5), Paul Fleming (0) and Mike Thompson (0) to finish the day on 3-19 as the away side mustered 159 all out in reply.