IN Division One of the North East Wales Badminton League, rejuvenated Denbigh A rose to the occasion to secure a surprise 5-3 win over second-placed Rossett A.

At third mixed for Denbigh, Wayne Cooper and Katie Owen were in fine form.

In a three-game thriller, consisting of long rallies and fluctuating leading positions, they outlasted Gareth Edwards and Rachel Twiss to take the match 17-21, 21-19, 21-18.

Denbigh A then travelled to take on Llanferres A and again, belying their league position, they dug in and showed a determined team spirit to take the match 5-3.

Undefeated Andy Swash was the player of the match for Llanferres and together with Sue Clarke at fourth mixed, they turned in a powerful display of mixed doubles tactics to outwit

Jack Comey and Meinir Hughes and win 21-10, 21-17.

Prestatyn A were close to losing their undefeated record in Division Three when they came up against second-placed Llanferres B.

They took four contests to the best of three games to force a 4-4 draw.

The match of the evening was at fourth mixed, which saw Prestatyn’s Paul Armstrong and Claire Atmore involved in a titanic three-game battle before going down 17-21, 21-18, 25-23 to Sam Harrison and Pauline Brooke-Rankin.

Challenge Cup results: Flint A 11 Llanferres C 5, Denbigh B 2 Flint B 14, Mold A 15 Llanferres B 1, Llanferres A 8 Denbigh A 8 (aggregate 287-284).