MENAI Bridge extended their lead at the North Wales Cricket League Premier Division summit thanks to a 78-run home triumph over Brymbo.

The title hopefuls continued their unbeaten start to the campaign with another superb performance in the field, and Dion Holden’s men are now 16 points clear of champions Bangor ahead of their trip to Hawarden Park on Saturday.

The hosts made a difficult start to their time at the crease when opener Jack Gower was ousted by Ben Roberts after making just nine, while Gareth Boys took out the influential duo of Luke Jones and Holden for 35 and 27 respectively.

Robbie Jones made just two before he played a Mohamed Jayman delivery into the hands of Greg King, but promising double-figure knosks from Gethin Roberts (26), Gethin Long (33), Ed Gatsby (26) and Andy Skeoch (25) kept the scoreboard ticking over as they set a target of 200 all out from 48 overs.

Daniel Parry was the pick of the visiting bowling attack, helping himself to four wickets for the loss of 40 runs, while Boys finished with figures of 3-36 from a ten-over spell.

The away run chase began poorly as Gethin Roberts and overseas player Patrick Glover removed the opening pair of King (10) and Gareth Pugh (12) early on, and Ashley Wood also made an impact with the wickets of Joss Roberts (17), Rasaratnam Shahjahan (0) and Ben Roberts (16) on his way to 3-21.

Bridge bowler Gerallt Roberts also aided his side’s cause with the scalps of skipper James Claybrook (35), Jayman (3) and Parry (6) to conclude his eight-over spell on 3-20 as the visitors mustered 122 all out in reply.

There was further cause for celebration as Bridge’s second unit emerged from their game at Llay Welfare with a 104-run success.