ST ASAPH have been crowned champions of the North Wales' top division of cricket for the first time since 1975.

The Saints were crowned Icon Sports North Wales Cricket League Premier Division champions on Saturday.

Just six years ago, the Saints' 1st XI were relegated from the Premier Division with a young, inexperienced side.

However, they regrouped and have worked hard both on and off the field ever since, and on Saturday that paid off as they enjoyed a maximum points victory in their final match against Brymbo.

Needing a win to secure the title, the Saints defeated their opponents by 159 runs to finish seven points clear of league runners-up Menai Bridge.

Duncan Midgley impressed with a score of 84 and Jason Foulkes returned a fantastic 8-17 as Brymbo were blitzed out for just 49 chasing Asaph’s total of 208-7.

The win means St Asaph are top-flight champions for the first time since 1975 and have won their first ever Premier title (with the league having been formed in 2001).

A statement from St Asaph Cricket Club read: "Having led the table for all but 2 weeks of the season and with mighty Menai Bridge putting our young side under considerable pressure, what a fabulous achievement to gain 59 points out of the last 60 on offer. What Champions are made of."

Saints were a steady 71-3 before Midgley and Ben Mason (33) added 94 for the fourth wicket.

Midgley’s 84 came off 91 balls and included 10 fours.

Nathanael Scott earlier made 26, while Brymbo’s most successful bowler was Daniel Parry with an impressive 2-27 off 12 overs.

The away side’s innings lasted just 16.4 overs as they crashed to 49 all out.

Jason Foulkes had another day to remember, with his 8-17 off 8.4 overs meaning he ends the season on 53 league wickets and 59 in all competitions.

Formed in 1862, St Asaph Cricket Club is one of the oldest in Wales and was a founder member of the North Wales Cricket League in 1972.

They end this season as champions with a record of 17 wins, 3 defeats.