NORTHOP will spend a third successive season in Division One after they missed out on promotion on Saturday. The Flint Road outfit, as they did 12 months ago, went into the final game of the campaign with an outside hope of reclaiming their place in the top flight. But their winning draw at Marchwiel & Wrexham, who held on at 90-7 in reply to 138-8dec (Darren Williams 39), means they finish fourth. There was joy for Pontblyddyn 2nds, however, as they recorded a maximum- points victory at home to Abergele 2nds to be crowned Division Four champions. Tony Moss (4-22), Mark Gent (3-9) and Nigel Neath (2-29) stopped Aber short on 86 after Pont, courtesy of Ben Mason (46), John Stanforth (34), Mark Hughes (32) and Tom Dawson (26), put on 190. Connah’s Quay 2nds are not on their way up, though. They did the business at rock-bottom Buckley 2nds, who were all out for 88 chasing 170-5 (Wes Gillham 58no, Luke Bennett 44, Glyn Owen 36), but Corus Colors’ nine- wicket beating at Gwersyllt Park, who cruised to 105-1 following 101, means it is Park who take the second promotion place. Buckley are relegated from Division Two after their five-wicket defeat at Bangor 2nds, who successfully chased down 145 when reaching 146-6. But the Lane End outfit’s fate was only confirmed when St Asaph got the win they needed at Ruthin the following day. Carmel & District sealed fifth place with a six-wicket success at Dolgellau, who could not stop the Pen Y Gelli side from making 86-4 (Richard Jones 28, Steve Jones 21no) after being restricted to 85-9 (Steve Jones 4-27). Halkyn suffered an eight- wicket reverse to champions Pwllheli, who cruised to 98-2 after preventing their hosts from posting any more than 97-7 (Mike Briscoe 45no). Northop 2nds lost by two wickets to Conwy, who made it to 109-8 (Ben O’Halloran 3-21) after the home side were halted on 108 (O’Halloran 30, Ben Leece 24). Hawarden Park 2nds ended their Division Four campaign on a high. They laid down 186 (Mike Rapson 51, Jason Perry 31) and then skittled visiting Marchwiel & Wrexham 2nds for 128 (Adam Cross 3-19, Matthew Roberts 2-14, Rapson 2-32). John Cooper fired four sixes in an entertaining knock of 39 but Mynydd Isa still lost at home to Denbigh 2nds, who cruised to 114-2 having been set 113. Shotton, who finish one place below Hawarden in sixth, were beaten on Sunday at lowly Brymbo 3rds, who, in response to 134-9 (Gary Threadgold 25), hit 135-5. | 
Flintshire Sport 
