MENAI Bridge bowed out of the ECB National Club Twenty20 Group 5 Area final at the semi-final stage as they suffered an eight-wicket reverse to Checkley.

The North Wales Cricket League Premier Division leaders were skittled for 97 thanks to a standout effort in the field from their opponents, with Robbie Jones top scoring with 27 before he was superbly caught and bowled by Richard Williams.

Other double-figure scores came from teenage sensation Josh Massey (19), wicketkeeper Andy Skeotch (14) and Dion Owen (14), but Gavin Carr decimated the middle and lower order on his way to outstanding figures of 4-27.

Jacob Degg also claimed three wickets for the loss of 17 runs, with Williams taking a pair of scalps to end the day on 2-17 from a four-over spell.

Things began well for Bridge as Ashley Wood trapped talented opener Andrew Coxon for a duck, and Gethin Roberts gave them renewed hope with the prized wicket of Michael Allen after the number three batsman made 12.

That was as good as it got for the North Wales regional champions, with standout unbeaten knocks of 44 and 30 from Matthew Taylor and Williams ensuring they got over the line with minimal fuss after 15 overs’ in the middle.