MENAI Bridge secured derby bragging rights with a dramatic three-run victory at Bangor.

The North Wales Cricket League Premier Division title rivals were involved in a thrilling final conclusion to a game where runs were at a premium, with Dion Holden’s side remaining unbeaten ahead of their next outing at home to Llandudno on Saturday.

The visitors got off to a poor stage in the middle thanks to an outstanding spell of bowling from Michael Hughes, who disposed of Luke Jones (7), Jack Gower (2), Holden (15) and Gethin Long (2) in quick succession, with teenage star Owen Reilly sending overseas star Sean O’Callaghan back to the pavilion after he contributed just four.

Robbie Jones provided some resistance with a knock of 26 before he was trapped lbw off a Nadeem Rehman delivery, with Hughes adding Gethin Roberts (0) to his list of scalps on his way to figures of 5-30 from a ten-over spell.

The impressive Sean Reilly took a pair of lower order wickets in the form of Josh Massey (0) and Andy Skeotch (8) as the defending champions were skittled for 76 after 30 overs.

Things looked good for the home side during the opening exchanges before Owen Reilly was run out by Holden for 14, and opening partner David Winter was out for 15 at the hands of Gerallt Roberts.

O’Callaghan took out the dangerous duo of Tomos Davies and Rehman for a pair of ducks, and the Australian tore through the middle order with the scalps of Matthew Haswell (0), Sion Evans (0), Sean Reilly (0), Andy Williams (0) and Gareth Edwards (0) on his way to sensational figures of 7-18 from is 11-over spell.

This proved to be the difference between the two sides, and although Robbie Marshall made a fight of it with 35 not out, the talented batsman ran out of partners to condemn the home side to their first loss of the season.

Bridge’s second unit sealed a 114-run triumph over Llay Welfare, with Dion Owen and Carl Jones hitting 117 and 83 respectively.