ST ASAPH got their North Wales Cricket League Premier Division campaign back on track with a narrow one-wicket home win over derby rivals Denbigh.

The Saints returned to winning ways in dramatic fashion despite a spirited effort from Harrison Jones’ side, and they now sit in third spot and 29 points behind leaders Menai Bridge ahead of their trip to Hawarden Park on Saturday.

The hosts made a strong start to their time in the field when the bowling tandem of Mathew Ryan and Jason Foulkes disposed of openers’ Gerallt Lyall and Jones for 12 and 17, and the dangerous Tom Schrimshaw was caught off an Andrew Bellis delivery after making a promising 18.

Ryan then aided his side’s cause further with the quick-fire wickets of Stuart Griffiths (6), Joe Clayton (14) and Andy Thomas (5) on his way to impressive figures of 4-19 from a 12-over spell, and Paul Fleming also got in on the act with the scalp of former captain Ben Wilcox-Jones (3).

Birthday boy Sam Lewis proved a far sterner proposition to remove from the crease, with the gifted all-rounder ending the day on a stubborn 51 not out from 105 deliveries as the visitors set a target of 158-7 from their 50 overs.

Things did not begin well for the home side as Ryan was dismissed by Jack Griffiths on 13, but scores of 35 and 26 from Nathanael Scott and skipper Will Ryan got them back into the contest until they were despatched by Jones and Stuart Griffiths.

Jones ensured the nerves continued with the wickets of Duncan Midgley (10) and Fleming (1), with Foulkes making 20 before he was caught off an Alec Lewis strike.

Wicketkeeper Joe Clayton took off the gloves and bowled out Danny Ryan for five, but double-figure scores from Bellis (1), Richard Marsh Evans (18) and Elliot Morris (13*) ensured the Saints got over the line with a solitary wicket to spare after securing seven runs from their final six balls.