WITH two games left to play, Menai Bridge may finish behind Bangor in the North Wales Cricket Premier Division, but the Island side took the bragging rights in the derby.
Bridge claimed a comprehensive 145 run win over the hosts as they opened with 206 all out, Dion Holden (54), Anthony Caddy (41) and the unbeaten Ashley Wood (54) particularly impressive.
Bangor bowler Waleed Idrees did the most damage with 4 for 26 but Bridge’s own bowlers then turned on the style to take Bangor’s batsmen apart.
Caddy (5 for 15) and Wood (3 for 17) tore the Ty Newydd line up apart and the hosts had to settle for 61 all out in just 20.2 overs.
Prior to Monday both sides picked up good results as a combination of good bowling and powerful batting helped Menai Bridge to an 8 wicket win over Mochdre whilst Bangor beat their hosts St Asaph by 65 runs.
The combination of Caddy (3 for 17) and Steve Jones (3 for 27) proved too much for Mochdre who ended on 110 all out.
By way of reply Bridge's opening pair of Luke Jones (32) and Dion Holden (54 not out) helped their side make short work of besting the total, and they closed on 111 for 2.
Meanwhile Bangor’s Kevin Williams (69) was the highest scoring batsmen to contribute to their total of 195 for 9, and the hosts were held to 130 all out.
After a mixed weekend Bangor still sit second in the division ahead of Connah’s Quay on points scored, but will need a win at Chirk this Saturday.
For their part Bridge host Pontblyddyn at the weekend, and could still pressure the sides above them with maximum points from their last two games.
BETHESDA finally slipped into the relegation places at the bottom of Division One following two Bank Holiday weekend defeats, but could yet escape the drop with a win over Marchwiel and Wrexham this weekend.
In last Saturday’s game the Gwynedd outfit notched up 166 all out, but Denbigh replied with 168 for four to take a six wicket win.
Monday then brought a five wicket loss at Pwllheli as Pesda batted first with 113 for 9, only for the hosts to fire back with 114 for 5.
As a result Pesda have slipped into the relegation zone and lie two points adrift of safety but with Saturday’s visitors, Marchwiel and Wrexham, the side directly above them in the league, a home win would lift them out of the mire.
ADVANTAGE in the battle for the Division Two title lies with Menai Bridge seconds as they picked up two wins over Bank Holiday.
On Saturday bowler Gerallt Jones inspired them to a 5 wicket win at struggling Brymbo seconds as he decimated the host's batting line up taking 5 for 36.
With Brymbo ending on 114 all out, the unbeaten Nathan Goodright (34) lead Bridge to 115 for 5 and the win.
And it was some good bowling on Monday that earned Bridge victory in their derby with Anglesey Aluminium.
Bridge’s bowlers had the visitors all out for just 55, with Gololang Setlhodi the main man as he took 4 for 14.
In reply Bridge scored 56 for 2 and will look to consolidate top spot this Saturday at Pontblyddyn seconds.
Bangor seconds are right in the title frame after Saturday’s 7 wicket win over Corwen at Ty Newydd was followed by an 89 run triumph at Abergele on Monday.
Against Corwen the visitors totalled 142 for 8, a score Bangor bested with thanks to Gwilym Lloyd Jones (52 not out) and David Hughes (53) as they made 114 for 3.
Then at Abergele Qasim Ijaz’s score of 98 helped them to 174 for 4, and when bowler Gareth Edwards turned on the style with 5 for 8 runs, the hosts ended on 85 all out.
Bangor lie 7 points behind Bridge with two games to play, with the next being at home to St Asaph.
Finally Anglesey Aluminium compounded Saturday’s home loss to Northop seconds with Monday’s defeat at Bridge, and will need to beat Abergele at home this Saturday to keep their heads above water.
RELEGATION to Division Five looks a certainty for Bethesda seconds as they were trounced by 232 runs at Mochdre seconds.
The hosts opted to bat and Adam Jones (122) and the unbeaten Ross Stevens (132) produced stunning performances to lead their side to 303 for 3.
In reply the visitors managed just 71 all out and, with 18 points between them and safety, the Gwynedd side have to win at league leaders Connah's Quay seconds on Saturday to have a chance of survival.
At the other end of the table in Division Four, Bodedern's promotion hopes suffered a blow with a narrow 11 run loss at Conwy seconds.
Despite bowler James Jones taking 4 for 43 the hosts totalled 148 all out and Bodedern could only manager 137 all out in reply.
They still lie second but are level on points with third placed Mochdre, and need a positive result at Abergele seconds in their next game.
THERE was no Division Five fixture for Menai Bridge thirds over the Bank Holiday weekend but they travel to Northop thirds this weekend.
BODEDERN seconds took the spoils with an 8 wicket win in their Division Six derby at home to Anglesey Aluminium seconds.
The promotion-chasers held the visitors to just 49 runs all out, and made 52 in reply for 2 wickets.
As a result, Bodedern lie 11 points behind leaders Llangollen, who visit the Island side this Saturday, whilst Anglesey Aluminium seconds head to Corwen seconds.