BANGOR kept pace with North Wales Cricket League Premier Division leaders Menai Bridge with a seven-wicket victory at Chirk.

The defending champions produced an efficient display to record their fifth win in eight league contests, and the second-placed side look to continue their positive recent run when they welcome title rivals St Asaph on Saturday.

Despite the eventual result it was the home side who started well, with the opening partnership of Stevie Kelshaw and Chris Pritchard putting on 98 for the first wicket before they were both dismissed on 47 by Nadeem Rehman and Gareth Edwards.

Nicholas Flack (21) and Gareth Partridge (27) also contributed to the scoreboard, but that was as good as it got as only Wynn Jones (17) made it into double-figures thereafter as they were all out for 187 from 47 overs at the crease.

A devastating spell of bowling from Chris Dawson saw him claim four victims for the loss of just 14 runs, while Rehman and Edwards both claimed a further wicket apiece to end with combined figures of 4-86.

The visiting run chase got off to a moderate start when Matty Haswell was trapped lbw by skipper Andrew Swarbrick on 17, but a strong partnership from opener Sion Davies (36) and Rehman (42) got them back in the driving seat at a crucial time of the innings.

Captain Robbie Marshall then ensured the away side saw out the remainder of the game with minimal fuss, producing seven boundaries to end the day unbeaten on 45 from 54 balls as they reached their total for the loss of three wickets after 36 overs of play.

A superb knock of 75 from Nigel Barry was the highlight of Bangor Seconds’ 133-run home win over Carmel and District, with Subhan Khan taking three wickets.