BANGOR continued their recent resurgence with a hard-fought three-wicket victory at Gresford.

The North Wales Cricket League Premier Division champions were made to work hard for their success during a well-balanced display, and they sit in fifth spot in the standings ahead of their home clash with newly promoted Northop on Saturday.

The away side made a strong start in the field with the bowling tandem of Chris Dawson and Matt Kelly taking out the opening pair of Matthew Thompson (12) and Daniel Williams (7), and the duo made a further impact with the wickets of skipper Chris Ellwood and David Baker for one and a duck respectively.

Gareth Edwards also got in on the act with the wickets of Gareth Bell (9) and Sam Thompson (13), and Jonny Wells was rewarded for an outstanding spell with the prized scalp of Matthew Cree for 52.

The same bowler was on hand to dispose of wicketkeeper Josh Knowles (0) and John Bell (8) to take his final figures to 3-11 as the hosts were all out for 120 from their 40 overs at the crease.

Home bowler Ryan Williams made things very nervy for the visitors after taking out Matty Haswell (1), Wells (0) and captain Robbie Marshall (0) early on, and there was further cause for concern when Simon Perry took out the talented duo of Sion Evans and Idrees Ijaz for 28 and three.

In-form batsman David Winter was a far more resolute presence in the middle and his efforts were once again the catalyst behind their success, falling five short of his half-century from 66 deliveries.

This proved to be the difference between the two sides, with an unbeaten 19 from Edwards steering them over the line after 35 overs of play.

There was no such luck for Bangor’s second unit, who fell to a seven-wicket loss to Northop despite 72 not out from Peter Jones.