Title chasing Brymbo looking to make most of home comforts

Jason Underwood’s side, second in the rankings and just a point adrift of front-runners St Asaph, suffered defeat at Briton Ferry Town in the semi-finals of the national competition.

“At the end of the day, they used the conditions better than we did,” said Underwood, preparing for tomorrow’s home clash with defending champions Bangor.

“We have got to regroup and give 100 per cent this weekend.”

While Brymbo are battling for the top honour, Bangor are in a major fight against relegation.

“They’re going to come with all guns blazing,” added Underwood. “They need the points just as much as we do. It’s going to be a good game. I do think home advantage will help.”

There’s four matches left for Brymbo to complete this season and they need victories in them all to remain in the hunt for the title.

It isn’t just a two-horse race either, with Mochdre and Menai Bridge not yet out of the equation.

Third-placed Bridge are 32 points adrift of the Saints, three points ahead of Mochdre, who are in fourth spot.

The pick of the matches is at Elwy Grove Park, where St Asaph will welcome Mochdre.

Last time out, Chris Taylor’s sparkling 137 helped Brymbo to get the better of Mochdre by five wickets.

“They are still in the hunt themselves,” added Underwood. “Adam Campion and his boys don’t play to lose.”

The other big game is a real 36-pointer in the battle to beat the drop.

Gwersyllt Park, in the relegation zone, pay a visit to Mold, who are just two points ahead of them in the rankings.

Park skipper Jamie Griffiths said: “You’ve got to give Mold a lot of credit. They have done well this season.

“It’s a big game for us. Everyone knows how much of a big game it is.

“But it’s no different to any other game and as cricket players, you want to play in the big games.

“We have been a bit unfortunate with injuries to Iroshan (De Silva) and myself, but sometimes, you have got to hold your hands up.

“We have got to be better with the ball. I think with the bat, we have done alright.

“We have just got to find ways of putting the two parts together.”

Hawarden Park, still seeking their first 50-over triumph of the season, are all set for tomorrow’s home encounter with high-flying Menai Bridge.

Northop pay a visit to Denbigh knowing that a win would move them closer to a potential top-five finish.

With Llandudno closing in on the Division One title, three Flintshire sides are battling it out for the other promotion place.

And two of them - Connah’s Quay and Halkyn - clash tomorrow at Central Park.

Halkyn all-rounder Nathan Roett is have a great season and is only 66 runs off hitting the 1,000 mark while he also has 45 wickets to his name.

Second-placed Pontblyddyn, who are 16 points clear of third-placed Halkyn, head to Conwy while leaders Llandudno visit Bethesda.

Tomorrow’s other fixtures: Bangor 2nds v Gresford; Mochdre 2nds v Abergele; Northop 2nds v Buckley.

There’s a top-two title tussle in Division Two with leaders Carmel and District having home advantage over Pwllheli.

And it’s exactly the same scenario in Division Three where front-runners Bersham and Mold Seconds go head-to-head.

Carmel have had a brilliant season and boast an 11-point lead over Pwllheli in Division Two.

Third-placed Marchwiel and Wrexham will be rooting for Carmel because a win for them at home to St Asaph Seconds will reduce Pwllheli’s 30-point advantage.

Other fixtures: Corwen v Denbigh 2nds; Gwersyllt Park 2nd v Llanrwst; Llay Welfare v Dolgellau; Menai Bridge 2nds v Brymbo 2nds.

In Division Three, Bersham host Mold Seconds and they are 27 points clear of the only side who could catch them.

Other fixtures: Abergele 2nds v Bethesda 2nds; Buckley 2nds v Connah’s Quay 2nds; Caernarfon v Conwy 2nds; Halkyn 2nds v Ruthin; Pontblyddyn 2nds v Hawarden Park 2nds.

Bala can put a bit of pressure on Division Four leaders Brymbo Thirds by winning at third-placed Gresford Seconds tomorrow.

Brymbo, who don’t play until Sunday when they visit fifth-placed Northop Thirds, are just 10 points clear at the top.

Tomorrow’s other fixtures: Llandudno 2nds v Hawarden Park 3rds; Llanrwst 2nds v Bersham 2nds; Pwllheli 2nds v Corwen 2nds; Ruthin 2nds v Carmel 2nds.