A RETURN to the 50-over format is what faces Premier Division sides tomorrow.
Following a fortnight of T20 action, clubs can look forward to the longer format this weekend and there’s a big clash lined-up between Gresford and Northop.
Matt Thompson’s Gresford are searching for points in their efforts to climb out of the relegation zone, while Northop are aiming to reel in leaders Mochdre in the chase for the title.
Looking ahead to tomorrow, Northop skipper Bart Ryan-Beswick said: “They’re a good team. They have definitely strengthened with the two lads that they’ve got come in.
“It’s never an easy place to go.”
Elliot Colclough, Peet Pienaar and Jordan Evans will all come in for Northop.
Gresford skipper Thompson added: “We have been close in the league games prior to the T20 break.
“We’ve had a couple of good performances and we beat Mochdre in the Flintshire knockout.
“We will need to hope our fortunes change in the league. We did nearly beat them away at their place.”
Simon Perry and Tom Crewe will come into the Gresford side, while there was some great news for Northop earlier in the week.
Romano Franco played for Glamorgan Seconds in T20 finals day.
Brymbo, who sit third in the table, are still in the hunt for the title ahead of tomorrow’s home meeting with Bangor, who are in seventh.
Skipper Dan Parry said: “It’s game on. It’s the old cliche of nine finals on the hunt at the back end of the season.”
This will be the third meeting with Bangor in four weeks for Brymbo, who head into the match following a Welsh Cup quarter-final defeat away to St Fagans.
“It was a bitter pill to swallow,” added Parry. “It wasn’t our day and their bowler (Ollie Sherwood), the lad who took seven wickets, he bowled consistent wicket-taking balls over and over again.
“Three of their four batters that batted have played for Glamorgan. But players have had exposure of that next level.”
Henry Lunn, James Claybrook and Richard Deniz will come into the Brymbo line-up tomorrow.
Gwersyllt Park have adapted well to life in the Premier Division and they’ll be looking to cement their top flight spot during the second portion of the campaign.
Iroshan De Silva’s side will travel to bottom-of-the-table Llandudno tomorrow and victory for Park will keep them well clear of the relegation zone.
There’s a big Vale of Clwyd derby as Denbigh make the short trip to St Asaph and leaders Mochdre entertain Menai Bridge.
It’s still all to play for in the race to secure promotion from Division One.
Mold, who are in fourth position, are away to Pontblyddyn tomorrow, while fifth-placed Connah’s Quay face a crucial encounter at leaders Northop seconds, who are 29 points clear at the top.
Hawarden Park have home advantage against Dolgellau, Brymbo seconds go to Halkyn and Buckley entertain Bethesda.
The remaining match sees second-placed Conwy hosting Abergele.
Marchwiel and Wrexham, who are 30 points clear at the top of Division Two, welcome Corwen.
Llay, in third position, also have home advantage as they tackle Llanrwst, while Gresford seconds pay a visit to Bersham.
Other fixtures: Carmel & District v Pontblyddyn 2nds; Menai Bridge 2nds v Mochdre 2nds. Sunday: St Asaph 2nds v Bangor 2nds.
Division Three: Bethesda 2nds v Conwy 2nds; Caernarfon v Hawarden Park 2nds; Connah’s Quay 2nds v Ruthin; Denbigh 2nds v Gwersyllt Park 2nds; Mold 2nds v Halkyn 2nds; Pwllheli v Halkyn 2nds.
Division Four: Abergele 2nds v Bersham 2nds; Corwen 2nds v Llandudno 2nds; Dolgellau 2nds v Carmel & District 2nds; Llanrwst 2nds v Mynydd Isa & Maeshafn; Ruthin 2nds v Hawarden Park 3rds.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here