BERSHAM took over at the top of the North Wales League Division Two on Saturday with a stunning 10-wicket whitewash of previous pacesetters Abergele.

Gareth Evans (6-14) and John Williams (3-13) ripped the shell-shocked visitors for just 32 before Neil Thomas (25no) guided Bersham to 33-0 inside eight overs.

Brymbo’s rise up the Premier Division continued as they swept to a four-wicket victory at Bethesda.

Dafydd Rhys’ ninth-placed men, now just 21 points off the top four, raced to 203-6 thanks to David Lloyd (76), Stewart Williams (59) and Nick Jones (21no) after Bethesda declared on 200-9 (Gareth Pugh 3-30, Williams 2-34).

Llangollen boosted their Division One survival prospects with a winning draw at basement boys Corwen.

Tom King (49) and Matthew Stanczyszyn (33) saw Llangollen to 133-9 before Richard Hughes (3-30), R B Jones (2-11) and Co ensured Corwen got no further than 110-7.

Brymbo 2nds remain near the bottom after their reverse to Denbigh, who cracked 173-4 after the home side were able to declare on 172-9 courtesy of Ben Paterson’s fine 85.

Gresford’s promotion hopes were dented by a losing draw at Rhewl, who posted 191-6dec and then restricted the Clappers Lane outfit to 160-6 (Chris Ellwood 60).

Marchwiel & Wrexham 2nds jumped up to third in Division Three with a 10-wicket romp over Hawarden Park 2nds.

Darren Bettis (5-11), Paul Baines (2-2) and Tommy Bellis (2-15) polished Hawarden off for just 30 before Phil Tully (17no) and Rhys Ryder (15no) fired the hosts to 34-0.

Captain David Lloyd could not stop Castell Alun’s four-match winning run from coming to an end at home to Bala, who successfully chased down 154-6 (Lloyd 84no, Paul Winfield 29no) when reaching 156-4 (John Hughes 2-25).

Brymbo 3rds’ poor form continued on Sunday at Shotton, who hit 101-5 (Robbie Ward 2-31) following Brymbo’s 100-9 (Danny Williams 21, Robbie Ward 19 no).

Llay 2nds moved into pole position in Division Five with a seven-wicket success at Mochdre 3rds.

The Conwy side were snaffled for 99 and then could then not stop Llay from scoring 102-3 (John Humphreys 44no).

Chirk did Llay a big favour the previous afternoon at home to former table toppers Carmel & District 2nds, who could lay down only 92-5 before Chirk responded with 93-7 (Andrew Swarbrick 32, Edmund Hughes 28o).

Gresford 2nds were beaten at home by Pwllheli 2nds, who just got to 146-9 (Simon Perry 5-45) in reply to 145.

Llangollen 2nds hauled themselves off the bottom of Division Six with a home triumph over Shotton 2nds. Gareth Austin’s youngsters put on 192-6 (Aaron Roberts 61, Rees Jones 50no) before bowling Shotton out for 127 (Tony Mash 4-21).

Brymbo’s Sam Hayes carried reigning North Wales Inter-Counties Colts champions Denbighshire to a two-wicket win in their tense opening clash with rivals Flintshire at Marchwiel Hall on Sunday.

The visitors were restricted to 111-9 off their 45 overs but in reply Denbighshire were in deep trouble at 33-5.

They recovered, however, to 115-8 at the end of the 40th over thanks to an unbeaten 36 from ace Hayes, whose contribution was rewarded with the man-of-the-match honour.