A POOR batting display condemned Mochdre to a five-wicket reverse at North Wales Cricket League Division One rivals Pontblyddyn.

The away side were all out for just 82 following a dismal performance in the middle, with skipper Matty Humphreys the only batsman to emerge from the contest with any credit before he was eventually dismissed after making a promising 31.

Wicketkeeper Mike Humphreys and Russ Boswell both contributed 11, but no other batsman managed to make it into double figures as the bowling tandem of Chris Moss and Rhys Jones tore through the line-up to finish with a combined eight wickets for the loss of 39 runs.

The visiting captain tried to make a fight of things with the quick-fire wickets of Ben Mason (12), Alistair Roberts (4) and James Hughes (0) to finish with figures of 3-25, and things looked even more promising when Boswell despatched Lewis Davies (5) and George Forgrave (4) to end the day on 2-34.

That was as good as it got for the away side, with James Griffiths and skipper Glenn Chambers remaining resolute in the middle to finish unbeaten on 19 and 18 respectively as the hosts reached their required total for the loss of five wickets after 17 overs of play.

The result leaves Mochdre in fifth spot and 15 points behind leaders Bethesda ahead of their home clash with Llay Welfare on Saturday.