Carmel's title quest suffers a real blow with defeat

A 13-run win at St Asaph Seconds on Saturday was followed by Llay's 28-run victory over Denbigh Seconds 24 hours later. Mike Wright (93) and Dylan Honey (3-25) starred against Denbigh, with Jack Honey (69 not out) and Findlay Williams (5-46) in the spotlight against the Saints. Carmel & District's title quest was dealt a blow in a 16-run reverse at Gwersyllt Park Seconds. Ben Griffiths' 39 was the leading light in Park's 94 all out. Antony Ralf Fernando picked up 4-26 for Carmel, whose response was halted on 78 (Muhammad Umair 3-5, Griffiths 3-9). With one game left, second-placed Carmel trail leaders Pwllheli by six points. In another low-scoring affair, Brymbo Seconds (Tomos Rhys 5-5) lost out by 28 runs at Llanrwst, while Marchwiel and Wrexham gathered a 42-run success from their meeting with Corwen. Muhammad Ghufran top scored with 76 in Marchwiel's 202 for nine, before Corwen were restricted to 160 for seven (Jordan Williams 53). Menai Bridge Seconds eased to a 10-wicket win at home to Dolgellau, while the battle for the Division Three title will go down to the wire. With one match left to play, front-runners Bersham have a 12-point advantage over Mold Seconds, with both teams guaranteed of promotion. Noufal Khader (5-5) and Jijin Joseph (3-14) impressed as Bersham got the better of Pontblyddyn Seconds by eight wickets and Mold triumphed by 90 runs at Conwy Seconds, who were dismissed for 84 (Keith Embleton 3-9). Earlier in the afternoon, Gareth Davies struck 46 as Mold amassed 174 for eight. Halkyn Seconds eased their relegation fears via a six-wicket success at home to Hawarden Park Seconds. Gareth Thomas' 4-17 return helped to restrict Park to 128 for seven, while Nabeel Khan's 63 was the chief effort in Halkyn's 129 for four. Connah's Quay Seconds (Sheikh Sabbir 6-15, Darren Jones 50) lost out by 20 runs in their home clash with Ruthin (Andrew Holliday 63) and Caernarfon breezed to a 10-wicket triumph against Bethesda Seconds. Meanwhile, Abergele Seconds proved too strong for Buckley Seconds (Jatin Sharma 42) in a 75-run outcome. The Division Four title chase will go down to the final weekend. Leaders Brymbo Thirds suffered a two-wicket reverse in their meeting with Pwllheli Seconds, who had seven balls to spare when they reached 167 for eight (Hari Williams 72, Louie Manning 5-17). Earlier, Brymbo set 165 for six. Just two points back in second are Bala (Jack White 4-8), who gained an eight-wicket success versus Carmel & District Seconds. Marchwiel and Wrexham Seconds were also eight-wicket victors in their clash with Hawarden Park Thirds, while Northop Thirds (Gabriel Lloyd-Roberts 3-20, Tomas Bevan 63) lost by 54 runs against Llandudno Seconds (David Barlow 56 not out, Hannah Thornton 6-11). Sam Burke (4-7) and Vishak Kartha (3-13) starred as Gresford Seconds got the better of Llanrwst Seconds by six wickets and Bersham Seconds picked up a 65-run victory at Ruthin Seconds. Ebin Varghese and Anvesh Podicheti both struck 38 in Bersham's initial 186, before Ruthin's reply was halted on 121 (Podicheti 4-12).