ST ASAPH concluded their friendly fixtures during a disrupted summer with a 36-run home loss at the hands of Northop Hall.

The North Wales Cricket League Premier Division side opted not to participate in the restructured Group A due to safety concerns, and instead have been playing a mini-series against Liverpool and District Competition throughout the region.

They have secured some notable successes against the likes of Colwyn Bay and Prestatyn, but were denied a final-day victory at Elwy Grove Park.

The visitors looked strong in the middle until skipper Michael Barnes was dismissed by Mathew Ryan on 24, and fellow opener Jac Kennedy was sent back to the pavilion by Charlie Williams on 34.

Danny Ryan got in on the act soon after with the scalps of Alex Smith (20) and Alistair Andrady (7), before the in-form Jason Foulkes clean bowled the dangerous Joshua Andrady after he made a promising 21 from 31 deliveries.

Hall’s lower order was disposed of by Danny Ryan and Charlie Williams, who claimed two more wickets apiece to end their spells on 4-37 and 3-26 respectively as the away side finished their allotted 40 overs on 140-9.

The Saints did not manage to reach this modest target thanks to a batting display that was uncharacteristically poor and began with Will Ryan trapped lbw by Carwyn Williams on two.

There was some resistance following the early scalp from Duncan Midgely and Mathew Ryan, who both threatened to make big score before they were out for 34 and 33, respectively.

This proved to be a turning point in the contest, with only Foulkes (12) managing to make it into double-figures thereafter as the hosts were skittled for 106 all out in reply.

Darren Leach was the pick of the Hall bowling attack, claiming four wickets for the loss of 28 runs from a blistering eight-over spell.