MENAI Bridge laid down a huge North Wales Cricket League Premier Division title marker with a superb 157-run home win over derby rivals Bangor.

The early pacesetters dominated the defending champions to maintain their 100 per cent start to the season, and Dion Holden’s men face another stern test of their championship credentials when they entertain St Asaph on Saturday.

The home side got off to a difficult start at the crease when the influential pair of Jack Gower and Holden were ousted by Waleed Idrees for seven and 15, while Robbie Jones made just one before he was caught off a Matt Kelly strike.

Opener Luke Jones was a much sterner proposition to remove, with the gifted batsman producing a stunning century knock of 110 to put his side in the ascendancy.

He was aided at the other end by Gethin Roberts (16), Ed Gatsby (19) and Gerallt Roberts (17*), with Idrees finishing with figures of 4-55 as the hosts set a target of 243-9 from their 50 overs.

The visiting run chase began poorly with overseas player Patrick Glover claiming the notable scalps of David Winter (1) and Nadeem Rehman (0) in quick succession, and Ashley Wood also got in on the act with the wickets of opener Sion Evans (12) and skipper Robbie Marshall (0).

Matty Haswell provided some resistance before he was removed by Roberts on 19, and the same bowler decimated the middle order on his way to outstanding figures of 4-30 from ten overs.

Glover also helped himself to another lower order wicket to end on 3-19, but despite an unbeaten 27 from Gareth Edwards it was not enough for the away side as they mustered just 86 all put in reply to ensure Bridge remain one point ahead of St Asaph ahead of their pivotal early season clash this weekend.