WHAT a tough run of fixtures Northop have on the horizon.

Chasing a top-two finish for the second season in a row, Northop must play three other teams in the top-five over the closing weeks, starting with tomorrow’s trip to fifth-placed Bangor.

“We have got a tough run now,” admitted Northop skipper Bart Ryan-Beswick. “Bangor look really good, then we’ve got Brymbo, Menai Bridge, St Asaph and Llandudno.

“We really want to finish second, but whether we can make that happen, we don’t know.”

Northop trail leaders Mochdre by 29 points with five matches left to play and Ryan-Beswick added: “Mochdre put on a good show at the weekend. All we can do is keep winning.”

It’s a tough challenge for Gresford next up as they continue their quest to climb out of the relegation zone.

Matt Thompson’s side, who are 43 points from safety, head to leaders Mochdre.

Brymbo are still not mathematically out of the title equation.

Dan Parry’s side, fourth in the standings, currently find themselves 34 points behind front-runners Mochdre.

“The optimist in me says we are still going for top spot, but you’re going to need Mochdre to lose three,” said Parry, who takes his side to Menai Bridge tomorrow.

“What we have done is lose two out of the last four. If you win them two games, you’re right up there.

“We will just keep going, one game at a time.”

More of the same is the message to Jason Underwood. During last weekend’s win over Llandudno, Underwood made 87 not out from 46 deliveries, hitting eight fours and six sixes.

“One of the sixes he hit was one of the biggest I have seen in a long while,” added Parry. “It went miles.

“He was just there in the game. We all know he’s got an innings like that in him.”

George Deniz’s patient 28 not out from 56 deliveries allowed Underwood to display his full repertoire of shots.

Brymbo will welcome Sam Aplin back into their line-up tomorrow.

Gwersyllt Park could pretty much make sure of their Premier Division safety tomorrow.

Park, who got the better of title chasers Northop last time out, welcome Denbigh.

St Asaph travel to basement side Llandudno, while Division One leaders Northop seconds will look to return to winning ways at home to Conwy.

Mold, in third, have a derby at Buckley, while Brymbo seconds, Halkyn and Pontblyddyn are at home to Connah’s Quay, Hawarden Park and Abergele respectively.

Other fixture: Dolgellau v Bethesda.

Division Two: Bersham v Bangor 2nds; Carmel & District v Menai Bridge 2nds; Gresford 2nds v Mochdre 2nds; Llanrwst v Marchwiel and Wrexham; Llay v Corwen; St Asaph 2nds v Pontblyddyn 2nds.

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

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

In the Shropshire League, Chirk are on their travels tomorrow to Lilleshall in Division One.

Home comforts are in store in the Liverpool Competition for Northop Hall tomorrow. Ben Slater’s Hall, fifth in Division Two, welcome Sutton (St Helens), who are second.