NORTHOP and Brymbo are remaining bullish as their quest for the Premier Division crown continues this weekend.

Bart Ryan-Beswick’s Northop, who trail front-runners Mochdre by 17 points, are at home to Denbigh tomorrow, while third-placed Brymbo, 31 points adrift of top spot, welcome Gwersyllt Park.

“I don’t think it (the league title) has gone,” said Brymbo skipper Dan Parry. “I’m an optimist. Until we cannot physically, mathematically overtake them, I think we are in with a chance.

“You have got to win all of your eight games. Teams can beat anyone in this league.

“This is the first time in a long time teams are losing games, apart from Mochdre.

“Mochdre are being pulled back by the fact they’re now having rained off games.”

Ryan-Beswick, who led Northop to a runners-up finish last time out, added: “It just gives us a chance. But there’s loads of weeks left. There’s still eight weeks to go.”

Northop go into the contest following a victory over Gresford in a rain-reduced encounter and the captain said: “At the end of the day, we got lucky.

“It was agreed before we started (30 overs-per-side) and it just allowed us to get a game in. It all fell our way.”

Looking ahead to tomorrow, he added: “Denbigh will be tough this Saturday, seeing how they batted against St Asaph. They did very well.”

Tom Hughes, who hit a century for the second team last weekend, comes into the side.

Brymbo skipper Parry is anticipating a tough encounter tomorrow.

“A few of their lads we know very well,” he said “They have got some very key players.

“They have got a talented bunch and, on their day, they can turn people over.

“If we’re not on it from ball one, we could get turned over.”

Gresford, who occupy a spot in the bottom-two, are faced with their longest trek of the season.

Matt Thompson’s side are on their travels to tackle Menai Bridge.

“We will go there with a bit of confidence after we put in a good performance versus St Asaph on Wednesday,” said Thompson, who was disappointed with his side’s batting effort in the loss to Northop.

“We agreed to reduced overs to force a result. We lost in the end and got two points,” he added. “We took a risk, but we weren’t too disheartened. We didn’t play very well and the batting was poor.”

Jack Bunkell will come back into the Gresford side while Mochdre will look to maintain their unbeaten record away to basement side Llandudno and Bangor host St Asaph.

Northop Seconds, 22 points clear at the top, will look to continue their Division One title push with tomorrow’s trip to Abergele.

Mold and Connah’s Quay, in fourth and fifth respectively, will look to make the most of home comforts.

Hawarden Park are the opponents for Mold, while Quay tackle Halkyn.

Brymbo Seconds pay a visit to Conwy, Pontblyddyn go to Bethesda and Buckley are at home to Dolgellau.

The pick of the matches in Division Two sees leaders Marchwiel and Wrexham at home to second-placed Llay.

Other fixtures: Corwen v Llanrwst; Gresford 2nds v St Asaph 2nds; Mochdre 2nds v Bersham; Pontblyddyn 2nds v Menai Bridge 2nds. Sunday: Bangor 2nds v Carmel & District.

Division Three: Caernarfon v Mold 2nds; Gwersyllt Park 2nds v Buckley 2nds; Halkyn 2nds v Denbigh 2nds; Hawarden Park 2nds v Denbigh 2nds; Pwllheli v Connah’s Quay 2nds; Ruthin v Bethesda 2nds.

Division Four: Bersham 2nds v Ruthin 2nds; Carmel & District 2nds v Llandudno 2nds; Dolgellau 2nds v Corwen 2nds; Llanrwst 2nds v Marchwiel and Wrexham 2nds; Mynydd Isa & Maeshafn v Hawarden Park 3rds.