CRICKET: Bangor keep up title pace after victory; But Park stay hot on leaders' heels.

Byline: PHIL STANLEY

CHAMPIONS Bangor kept their noses in front in the Readers Romida North Wales League Premier Division with a seven wicket victory at relegated Dolgellau.

The title is now a three-horse race with two matches to play and only five points between the leading trio of teams.

Put in,Dolgellau were dismissed for 106 off 48 overs (captain Phil Leeds 19, Rick Golder 17,Lyndon Nicholas 16no) as Peter Banham bagged 4-25 off 15 overs, including seven maidens, Glyn Hemsworth 2- 24 off 10.3,and Hefin Lewis 2-17 offeight.

Bangor reached victory in 28 overs (Robbie Jones 50no,Kevin Williams 21)in a 21-2 split to stay just two points clear at the top.

Hawarden Park pulled off an impressive 61-run win at Brymbo to remain hot on the heels of the leaders.

But, after being asked to bat, they dipped to 37-6 on the wet track before a seventh-wicket stand of 66 between Craig Wilson (41) and Jamie McDonald (29) steadied the ship.

Mike Parton made 20 as the visitors set 136-9 off 58 overs (Richard Roberts 3-25, Keith Roberts 2-20).

But in reply Brymbo were bowled out for 75 in 36.3 overs,Gareth Pugh (15) their only bats man to make double figures as Australian Trent Scholfield snapped up 6-23 off 13 overs -his best figures of the season -and Wilson 3-6 off seven in a 21-4 split.

Mochdre's New Zealander Craig Borich blasted 104, including 14 fours, in his side's 50-run victory at Halkyn that keeps them within five points of Bangor.

Having won the toss,Mochdre posted 248-9 off 51 overs (David Gale 33,Amir Sardar 32)as Chris Bell is claimed 5-73.

Halkyn were halted on 198 in 58.2 overs (Andy Bell is 40,Chris Bellis 28,Tim Allison 27) as skipper Gareth Davies grabbed 5-24 in a 25-8 result that leaves Halkyn next to bottom.

Marchwiel-Wrexham's title hopes were virtually dashed by a 27-run defeat at St Asaph.

Chris Owen, the Saints' 16-year-old pace bowler took 7-14 off six overs and was twice on a hat-trick as the visitors were dismissed for 86 in 24 overs (Liam Murphy 2-12).

There were seven ducks as Chris Campbell made 37 and Neil Pearson 29.

This was in response to St Asaph's modest total of 113 off 55 overs after they were put in (Dave North 20,Murphy 18, Gareth Ryan 12) as Campbell pocketed 4- 29 off 13.4overs,Tim Woodruff 2-17 off 15,and Pearson 2- 14 off 10 in a 24-4 split.

Pontblyddyn skipper Glen Chambers, back after fracturing an eye socket, smashed an unbeaten 71 and picked up 6-19 off 15 overs in his team's seven wicket victory at Llandudno.

Saturday's success lifted Pontblyddyn above the seasiders into fifth place in the league table.

Llandudno elected to bat and were sent back for 101 off 43.2 overs (MarkHughes 39,Paul Anderson 14no).

Chambers, meanwhile, bowled nine maidens in his devastating spell, with Darren Leach taking 2- 21 off seven overs and Julian Morris 2- 19 off 10.2. Chambers then hit 14 fours as Pontblyddyn replied with 102-3 off 26.3 overs, Indian Tarique Khan taking 2-32 off 7.3 overs in a 21-2 split.

Northop remain on the fringe of the relegation zone after a six-wicket tumble at Mold.

Put in,Northop were dismissed for 154 off 46 overs (Mark Williams 37, skipper Gareth Williams 35,Dale Harley 28no)as Glen Scott grabbed 3-28 and Steve Burkhill 3-24.

Mold reached victory off 51 overs,Cliff Wiseman leading the way with a sparkling 72 in a 22-4 result.

CAPTION(S):

Home side Llandudno toil against defiant Pontblyddyn batting in the North Wales League Premier Division, the visitors ultimately winning the match by seven-wickets