A SENSATIONAL bowling display guided Menai Bridge to a five-wicket derby victory at defending champions Bangor.

The North Wales Cricket League Premier Division leaders made light work of their nearby rivals following a scintillating display in the field, and Dion Holden’s men hold a commanding 27-point lead at the summit ahead of their crunch clash at title hopefuls St Asaph on Saturday.

Bridge got off to the best possible start when overseas player Patrick Glover clean bowled Matthew Haswell for a duck, with Gethin Long also getting in on the act with the quick-fire wickets of David Winter (10), Nadeem Rehman (3) and Sion Evans (0) on his way to impressive figures of 3-28.

Glover took his individual tally to 2-16 with the prized scalp of home skipper Robbie Marshall for a duck, before Ashley Wood took over the proceedings late on by removing Jonny Wells (0), Matt Kelly (0), Gareth Edwards (0) and top scorer Idreez Ijaz (23) to end a blistering spell on 4-2.

Andy Williams (15) was the only other batsman that made it into double-figures as the home side were skittled for just 64 from their 32 overs in the middle.

The hosts kept things interesting early on when the opening duo of Luke Jones and Jack Gower were despatched by Kelly and Chris Dawson after making a duck and six, and the in-form Holden fared no better as he was trapped lbw by Wells after contributing just six to the scoreboard.

Another fine delivery from Kelly (3-27) saw Gethin Roberts fall for a duck, but a knock of 27 from Long was enough to get the visitors over the line after 16.5 overs of play.

Bangor’s hopes of retaining their crown are now all-but over, and they travel to Pwllheli on Saturday looking to get their stuttering campaign back on track.