GLAMORGAN prospect David Lloyd and new boy Chris Truelove starred as in-form Brymbo knocked Menai Bridge off the top of the North Wales League Premier Division in thrilling fashion on Saturday.
A superb 72 from 16-year-old Lloyd, who plays for the Sophia Gardens outfit’s seconds next week, hoisted hosts Brymbo up to 148 before Truelove (5-37), an acquisition from Builth Wells, Lloyd (3-37) and Stewart Williams (1-20) ensured the previous pacesetters fell just short on 146.
Chirk took full advantage of neighbours Llay Welfare’s inactivity to move into the Division One promotion places with a three-wicket home win over Denbigh.
Nick Flack (41) and wicketkeeper Andrew Swarbrick (21) saw Chirk to 101-7 after captain Flack (4-12), Edmund Hughes (3-18) and Co dismissed Denbigh for 100.
Marchwiel & Wrexham jumped up to fifth with derby victory at home to Gresford, who were ripped apart for 83 (James Cree 29; Anthony Morris 4-18) in response to 201-7dec, a total made possible by a splendid 74 from Chris Pritchard.
Bersham are down from first to third in Division Two following their six-wicket reverse at Carmel & District.
Only number six Daz Jones (34) and number nine Danny Struthers (21) got going as Bersham were bowled out for 91 before Carmel made it to 92-4.
Marchwiel & Wrexham 2nds slipped behind the leading pack in Division Three after they were easily beaten at table-topping Menai Bridge 2nds.
Opener Owen Ward (54), aside, no batsman scored more than 10 runs as Marchwiel set 96-8 to which Menai replied with 100-1.
Castell Alun’s promotion hopes were also hit as they went down at home to Shotton, who fired 165-2 after the Alun compiled 164-6 courtesy of Simon Brooman’s 68no.
Gwersyllt Park 2nds powered to a 10-wicket whitewash of Buckley 2nds in Division Four.
Ian Pearson (4-20) and Lee Beer (3-2) pocketed the lion’s share of the wickets as the away team were demolished for 44 before Stephen Connor (27no) and Bryn Markham-Jones (20no) guided Gwersyllt to 47-0.
Bersham 2nds did second-placed neighbours Llay Welfare 2nds a favour as they won at home to Carmel & District 2nds in Division Five.
Bryan Walker (4-34) and Jerry Wellans (3-18) did the damage as the leaders were snaffled for 90 after Stephen Lloyd (69no) led third-placed Bersham to 149-5.
Gresford 2nds cemented fourth spot with a 62-run home success over Mochdre 3rds, who were halted on 110 after the Clappers Lane outfit laid down 172-9 (Jimmy Williams 69).
Llangollen 2nds suffered a 44-run defeat at the hands of Ruthin 2nds in Division Six.
The visitors looked on for back-to-back victories when they ended Ruthin’s innings on 101 (Tony Mash 4-28) only to collapse for 57.
