A SENSATIONAL bowling display was the catalyst behind St Asaph’s impressive eight-wicket win at Brymbo.

The North Wales Cricket League Premier Division side extended their unbeaten start at the expense of their expected title rivals, leaving the Saints sitting in second ahead of their home clash against defending champions Menai Bridge on Saturday.

Jason Foulkes got the visitors off to a flyer in the field with the early scalp of Mohamed Jayman for a duck, before Alex Baker tore through the top order by disposing of Shashika Meistry (4), James Claybrook (3) and Philip Pugh (0) in quick succession to finish with figures of 3-19 from an eye-catching ten over spell.

He was aided at the other end by Danny Ryan, who was in ruthless mood throughout and sent skipper David Blackwell (18), Chris Craven (4), Dan Parry (9) and George Bourne (8) back to the pavilion to end the day on 4-30, with Elliot Morris also claiming a pair of lower order wickets as the home side were all out for 87.

Things did not begin well at the crease for the away side, with opener Duncan Midgley caught off a Wayne Smith delivery for a duck, with Mathew Ryan run out by Bourne after making just seven.

That was as good as it got for the hosts, with overseas star Nathanael Scott and Saints’ skipper Will Ryan seeing out the remainder of the innings in comfortable fashion, finishing unbeaten on 44 and 35 respectively to ensure victory for the in-form visitors.

There was further cause for celebration as their second unit thanks to an emphatic ten-wicket home rout over Pontblyddyn.

David North and Amer Jamil took four wickets apiece as the visitors were all out for 43, with the city side reaching their target without any losses thanks to a strong stand from captain Ben Murphy (17*) and Joe Lunn (23*).