MOCHDRE suffered a body blow to their North Wales Cricket League Premier Division title hopes with a heavy ten-wicket home reverse to St Asaph.

The surprise championship contenders produced their worst performance of the campaign at just the wrong time to leave them 27 points behind favourites Bangor with three games remaining ahead of their trip to derby rivals Llandudno on Saturday.

Things began well in the middle for the hosts thanks to an opening stand of 81 from Stewart Williams and Gareth Goodson, but both were ousted from the crease by Danny Ryan for 33 and 48 respectively that proved to be the start of an unbelievable collapse.

Ryan helped himself to the wickets of Alex Davies (0) and Kyle Brown (0) throughout the remainder of the innings to finish the day on 4-40 from a ten-over spell, and brother Mathew Ryan was in ruthless mood to further aid his side’s chances of success.

In just four overs, he managed to send Gareth Davies (4), Sam Davies (4), Sean Reilly (0) and Riss Boswell back to the pavilion to finish on 4-6, and David North took the prized wickets of skipper Matty Humphreys and James French during a crucial stage of the game, leaving the home side skittled for 109 from 31 overs.

As expected, the visitors made light work of their required target thanks to a standout partnership from opening duo Mathew Ryan and Duncan Midgley.

Ryan transitioned his good form in the field to the crease to finish not out on 32, and Midgley demonstrated his abundant qualities to end the innings unbeaten on 62.

This was only the fourth time that Humphreys’ side had tasted defeat during their first season back at top-flight level following a successful promotion bid last summer, and they are now just six points ahead of defending champions Menai Bridge in the race for second.