DAFYDD Rhys produced a captain’s knock as Brymbo jumped out of the North Wales League Premier Division drop spots with a one-wicket win at previous pacesetters Pontblyddyn on Saturday.

Rhys (64) saw his side to 125-9 after Pont were polished off for 124 by the outstanding Gareth Pugh (6-34), Stewart Williams (3-29) and David Lloyd (1-17).

Chirk slipped below their neighbours into the bottom two after they were beaten at Mold, who set 220-6dec (Nick Flack 2-35, Gareth Roberts 2-49) and then stopped the Holyhead Road outfit 74 runs short on 146 (Jonathan Phillips 48).

Steve Connor and Ian Pearson starred as second-placed Gwersyllt Park closed the gap on the Division Three leaders with a 66-run derby victory at home to Castell Alun.

Connor cracked 92 to power second-placed Park to 142 before Pearson took 5-20 to help snaffle Castell for 76

Marchwiel & Wrexham 2nds are riding high in third after their 84-run success at home to Shotton, who fell for 96 (David Jones 3-7, Syed Gulrez 3-27) in reply to a 180 total inspired by Chris Hemmings (68) and Paul Ankers (54).

Brymbo 3rds lost their basement battle to Llanrwst 2nds, who put on 179-9 (Wayne Smith 4-25) and then restricted their hosts to 148-9 despite the best efforts of Keith Roberts (50no).

Bersham 2nds moved within a point of pole position in Division Five with a 123-run romp over Mochdre 3rds. Andy Welden (61) let loose as Bersham hit 174-8 before Jonathon Read (5-19), Steve Kreczman (3-16) and Phil Hughes (2-10) skittled the visitors for 51.

Matthew Roberts blasted four sixes in a spectacular knock of 65 as Chirk 2nds won by 86 runs at home to Halkyn 2nds, who were bowled out for just 35 (John Swarbrick 4-16, Roberts 3-5, Ross Morrison 3-8) following 121.