NORTHOP have strengthened their ranks as they look to go one step further in the Premier Division this time out.

Last season’s runners-up will begin their campaign at home to Mochdre tomorrow and skipper Bart Ryan-Beswick will be looking for his side to produce another title challenge, after pushing eventual champions St Asaph so close last time out.

The club’s overseas player this season is wicket-keeper/batsman Peet Pienaar.

Another new addition to the ranks is talented batsman Elliot Colclough, while 17-year-old duo Fabio and Romano Franco have also joined up for the 2024 campaign after moving from Hawarden Park.

In a post on X, Northop said: “At just 17-years-old, Fabio is already taking the cricketing world by storm playing for Wales U18s as well as having been selected for the Glamorgan ‘Finding Lightning’ programme for talented fast bowlers.

“(Romano) currently plays for Glamorgan Academy and Wales U18s, and cites his favourite cricketing moment as taking a fifer against Somerset last season.”

Brymbo are also looking strong as they aim to forge a title push themselves this year.

In the match of the day to open the Premier Division season, Dan Parry’s side will head to Elwy Grove Park to take on last season’s champions St Asaph.

“Both teams have had new players,” said Parry. “The forecast is that it’s cold. It could be just who has wintered better and who’s in form on the day.

“It has the makings of a very good game of cricket.”

Wales U18s’ bowler Adam De Rycke has made the move to the club from Hawarden Park, while George and Richard Deniz have both joined from Mold.

One unknown is how the newly-adopted orange ball will perform this season.

Parry added: “The orange ball I think is going to do a bit early on. It’s rock solid and it will stay rock hard and it stops swinging.

“It’s the orange ball that we used for the Welsh Cup last year.

“It will be interesting to see how it goes and how players adjust to them. I think early wickets could be key.”