DOLGELLAU suffered a blow to their North Wales Cricket League Division One title hopes with a seven-wicket home loss to Hawarden Park.

The promotion hopefuls set a modest target of 154-7 from 49 overs at the crease, with opener Jack Williamson in stubborn mood throughout on his way to 51 from 135 deliveries.

Other scores of note came from Gareth Lanagan (24), Phil Leeds (19) and Jaco Oosthuizen (15*), but no other batsman managed to produce a double-figure knock for the hosts.

Ian Martin was the pick of the visiting bowling attack, ending a 12-over spell with figures of 3-33, with David Hughes, Campbell Marr and Michael Wootton also claiming scalps.

Leeds tried to make a fight of things with the new ball with the quick-fire wickets of Chris Hinton and Marr for six and a duck respectively, but Jamie McDonald steadied the ship with 34 before he was clean bowled by Edmonson.

The one constant throughout the innings was opener Hughes, who produced a knock of genuine quality to turn the game on its head, eventually finishing unbeaten on 84 from 135 balls.

This proved to be the difference between the two side, and skipper Adam Cross’ 27 not out confirmed defeat for the home side with three overs remaining.

Dolgellau have another stern test awaiting them this Saturday when they travel to league leaders Conwy, with a win getting them right back in the hunt for the championship.