BANGOR’s hopes of retaining the North Wales Cricket League Premier Division title are now over after a shock seven-wicket loss at Pwllheli.

The defending champions endured another difficult day at the office during what has been a disappointing campaign to date, and Robbie Marshall’s men are now languishing in seventh position as they prepare to welcome Connah’s Quay to Ty Newydd on Saturday.

The visitors got off to a disastrous start in the field when Marshall and David Winter were removed by Michael Hughes for a duck and ten, with the same bowler also on hand to dispose of Nadeem Rehman for a golden duck during a devastating spell with the new ball.

Sion Evans fared no better and was stumped off a Jason Underwood strike after contributing just four, but Sohaib Khan provided a glimmer of resistance before he was trapped lbw by the same bowler on 34 from 87 deliveries.

Teenage sensation Owen Reilly took the prized wicket of Andy Williams during a critical stage of the innings after the batsman made 52, and an unbeaten 26 from Matt Kelly ensured the away side reached 150-9 from their allotted 47 overs in the middle.

Despite losing Reilly early on when he was caught off a Kelly strike for a duck, impressive double-figure scores from Chris Moore (28), Morgan Murray-Williams (39) and Underwood (31*) ensured the hosts reached their required target with minimal fuss for the loss of three wickets after 26 overs of play.

There was better fortune for Bangor’s second unit, who produced another dazzling display to claim a ten-wicket home success over Pontblyddyn.

The home side restricted their opponents to 88 thanks to figures of 4-15 from Alwyn Jobert, and an unbeaten half century knock of 52 from Matthew Haswell gave them a convincing success without losing a single wicket.