MENAI Bridge tightened their grip on the North Wales Cricket League Premier Division title after a 114-run home victory over Chirk.

The long-time leaders turned in another dominant display to edge them closer to the championship, and they currently enjoy a 37-point cushion at the summit ahead of their trip to second placed Llandudno on Saturday.

Bridge opener Arwel Thomas was ousted early on when he played a Nicholas Flack delivery into the hands of Ian Skinner on 18, and the same bowler also took out wicketkeeper Jack Gower after the talented batsman made a promising 40.

Skipper Dion Holden kept the scoreboard ticking over with 38, but it was the knock of Robbie Jones that turned the game on its head during a critical stage of the innings.

He was in staggering form throughout and hit no fewer than 25 boundaries before he was eventually removed from the crease on 142 by Flack, who ended the day with figures of 3-88.

Jones was aided at the other end by Gethin Roberts, who smashed his way to 58 from just 46 deliveries as the hosts set an incredible target of 333-5 from their 50 overs in the middle.

Roberts immediately got to work with the new ball to continue his exceptional form on the day, claiming the wickets of Ollie Gough (3) and Stevie Kelshaw (0) in quick succession, and Ashley Wood also got in on the act with the prized scalp of opener Wynn Jones for ten.

The visiting resistance came from Flack and skipper Andrew Swarbrick, who got them back into the clash thanks to a 157-run partnership for the third wicket.

Flack was despatched by Gerallt Roberts after contributing 83, with Swarbrick proving to be a far sterner proposition to remove to finish unbeaten on 102.

The captain ran out of partners in the closing stages, with Gethin Roberts securing 5-41 as the away side made 241-8 in reply.