MENAI Bridge’s hopes of retain the North Wales Premier Division suffered a fatal blow at the hands of neighbours Bangor on Bank Holiday Monday.

The champions were on the wrong end of a nine-run loss, and Llandudno now need three points from their final two games to wrestle the title from Robbie Jones’ men. The home side made a good start to life in the field when Zach Ringrose disposed on opener Sion Evans for two, and things got better soon after when Nadeem Rehman was caught off an Ashley Wood delivery for 20. A devastating spell of bowling from Jonny Howard put the home side in the ascendancy, with the in-form seamer taking the prized wicket of Francois Mosert for a duck, in addition to disposing of captain Rob Marshall (1), Andy Williams (8) and Syed Aslam on his way to figures of 4-31 from 11 overs. The visiting resistance came from David Winter, who was one short of his half century before becoming Wood’s latest victim as the away side were all out for 114 from 40 overs. Despite the modest total Bridge were unable to claim a win in what was their game in hand at the top, with opening trio of Ashley Wood (10), Jack Gower (2) and Luke Jones (0) all out quickly as Bangor made a stunning start with the new ball. The skipper left the crease after failing to make a single run after being skittled by Mosert (3-24), and a sublime bowling display from Gareth Edwards midway through the contest proved to be the difference between the two sides. Bridge had no answer for Edwards as he decimated the middle order on his way to a five wicket haul for the loss of 27 runs as the home side mustered just 105 all out in reply from 32 overs of play.