ST ASAPH are continuing to chisel away at leaders Menai Bridge's advantage in the Premier Division of the North Wales Cricket League.

The Saints are now just six points adrift of top spot after completing a nine-wicket triumph in their weekend meeting with Mold.

That made it seven victories from eight matches this season for the Elwy Grove Park outfit as the battle for the league crown hots up.

It was Mold skipper George Deniz who won the pre-match toss and his message back to the changing room was for his opening batsmen to don their pads.

One of these was Deniz himself, who struck 24.

Usman Butt added 21, but there was little else for Mold to cheer about from their top order as St Asaph took control of proceedings.

Danny Ryan (3-21) and Liam Moores (2-18) helped to reduce the home effort to 92 for six.

Recovery was in the offing for Mold, as Kieron Coppack (39) and Richard Deniz (32) put together a seventh wicket stand of 51 to take the tally close to 150.

In the end, Mold found themselves being bowled out for 166 in the 46th over.

There were wickets for Jurie Norval (2-11), Jack Griffiths (1-29) and Gareth Goodson (1-20).

To achieve maximum points, St Asaph had to get to their victory target by losing no more than one wicket.

They managed to achieve this - and the Saints didn't hang around in the process.

A winning 168 for one was reached in only the 22nd over.

An opening stand of 82 set things off in terrific fashion and this was compiled by Dan Evans and Will Ryan (31).

Evans wasn't for shifting and together with Nathanael Scott, the duo put together an unbroken 86 for the second wicket.

Evans struck 78 not out from 59 deliveries and Scott's 45 not out came from 35 balls.

Jakeem Forde (1-21) claimed the only wicket to fall.