BANGOR’s hopes of retaining the North Wales Cricket League Premier Division title were dealt another glow as they fell to a three-wicket home defeat to Northop.

The defending champions now sit in fifth spot after another disappointing defeat, and things do not get any easier this weekend when they welcome title favourites Menai Bridge to Ty Newydd on Saturday.

The home side got off to the worst possible start when Matthew Haswell was caught by Bart Beswick for a duck, and Nadeem Rehman was crucially run out on 16 David Winter and skipper Robbie Marshall provided some resistance before they were both dismissed by Mark Poynton after contributing 29 and 42 respectively, and the same bowler also removed the dangerous Sion Evans for 20 on his way to figures of 3-27.

Visiting bowler Ben Beaver then took over proceedings with the quick-fire wickets of Jamie Davies (8), Idrees Ijaz (11) and Matt Kelly (18), and he took out Chris Dawson for a duck late on to take his tally to 4-39 as the hosts were all out for 168 after 45 overs at the crease.

Things began well in the field as Matt Kelly made the most of the new ball with the wickets of Harry Lewis (7) and Gareth Williams (2) during the opening exchanges, and a nervy ending was assured when sent Jordan Evans (21), Matthew Williams (1) and Andrew Oates (22) back to the pavilion to finish on 4-27 from his 12-over spell.

This was not enough to gain the upper hand against the newly promoted side, who had knocks of 41 and 39 not out from Darren Williams and Beaver to thank for their success, reaching their required target with two overs to spare.

There was better fortune for Bangor’s second unit, with batsman Ali Zaidi hitting an unbeaten 125 in their 126-run triumph at Hawarden Park.