A CRACKING return to winning ways was St Asaph's reward for a dominant weekend display.

Following on from suffering their first North Wales Cricket League Premier Division loss of the campaign at Menai Bridge, the Saints bagged a 14-1 points triumph in their home encounter with Mochdre.

Leaders Menai Bridge defeated Pontblyddyn by a 13-2 margin, which means St Asaph managed to move to within eight points of the frontrunners.

Mochdre skipper Matthew Humphreys called correctly at the pre-match toss and his message back to the changing room was for the opening batsmen to don their pads.

this didn't initially look to be the correct decision as Gareth Goodson and Dan Evans were soon among the wickets to reduce Mochdre to 6-2.

Recovery was in the offing, though, as captain Humphries (55), Thomas Opie (31) and Owen Davies (24) guided the innings to 120 for three.

Back came the Saints' bowlers, though, spearheaded by a 4-37 return from Goodson in his 10 overs.

Evans (2-23), Danny Ryan (2-27) and Jurie Norval (1-20) also played their part as the visitors were all out for 159 in the 48th over.

Afternoon rain meant that some time was lost after tea and St Asaph were given a revised target of 146 from 44 to achieve a magnificent seventh success of the summer.

There was no real drama as they reached their target with plenty of time to spare.

Mathew Ryan (14) and Dan Evans put together an opening stand of 36, before Evans and Nathanael Scott (17) took the tally along to 67.

No further wickets were to fall as Evans and Duncan Midgley put together an unbroken third wicket stand of 79 to take the Saints through to a winning 146 for two in the 27th over.

Evans top scored with his unbeaten 62, while Midgley finished up on 46 not out from just 34 deliveries.

There was a wicket apiece for Russ Boswell and Matthew Humphreys.