BETHESDA suffered their first defeat of the North Wales Cricket League Division One season after suffering a five-wicket home loss to Mold.

John Crane wasted no time in making an impact with the ball by taking out the dangerous opening pair of Carwyn Williams (7) and Jez Shea (6), but Pesda responded well thanks to a brilliant partnership from Matty Harrington and wicketkeeper Nicholas Parry.

The in-form duo combined for 106 runs until Harrington fell two of his half century, with Parry reaching this feat before he played a Wes Gillam delivery into the hands of George Deniz.

Other scores of note came from Matthew Buchanan (21) and skipper Jonathan Williams, while Thomas North took three wickets for the loss of 30 runs as the home side were all out for 200 from 45 overs.

The visiting run chase got off to the worst possible start when Gareth Jones clean bowled North for a duck, with Richard Williams also getting in on the act early on with the prized scalps of Isaac Allen and Usman Butt for 29 and 25 respectively.

That was as good as it got for the hosts, who failed to find an answer for the batting combination of Duane Williams (57) and Crane (44*) which proved to be their downfall, and a knock of 27 not out from Richard Deniz enabled Mold to reach their required target with three overs to spare.

Williams’ side still hold a seven point lead at the summit ahead of their next encounter at home to Abergele on May 26.