JAMES CLAYBROOK insists that “stranger things have happened” than Brymbo defying the odds to win the Premier Division title.

Brymbo need to produce a near faultless performance at home to Gresford, while current leaders Menai Bridge, 13 points clear, would have to be heavily beaten by Pwllheli. Llandudno are also in the mix, 14 points adrift, as Bangor visit the Oval.

Claybrook won’t give up without a fight, saying: “We remain positive and believe that stranger things have happened on a cricket field. It’s up to us to hold our end of the bargain and see where it gets us.

“It’s been a great season for us and even if we don’t pip Menai it’s important to finish with a victory and secure second place.

“Second place is a great achievement and it will spur us on to go one better next year.”

While Brymbo target a top two finish, Gresford want to end with a 10th successive win, captain Chris Ellwood saying: “It has been a fantastic second-half of the season for us, and to finish with 10 wins on the run would be exciting going into next season.”

Connah’s Quay will be looking to give the departing Darren Leach a fitting farewell as they entertain relegated Hawarden Park tomorrow. Leach announced that he would be leave Central Park last weekend, writing: “After many years at Connah’s Quay Cricket Club, playing hard with many highs and a couple of lows it’s time to move on.”

Visiting Hawarden are out to finish a tough campaign on a high note, captain Ian Martin, saying: “We knew that the season would be difficult and it’s turned out exactly that way. We’ve managed to beat Llandudno who are set to finish in the top three, so we know that we can produce the goods when we get a fit and firing team out.

“Unfortunately that hasn’t happened often enough.”

Joining Hawarden in Division One are Chirk, who are looking to avoid the unwanted statistic of going through the entire season without registering a win as Denbigh visit Holyhead Road.

Chirk captain Andrew Swarbrick said: “I’m gutted to be leaving the Premier Division. Relegation is the last thing we wanted, but we’ve deservedly gone down.

“Hopefully we can finish on a high note by beating Denbigh.”

Northop know victory at St Asaph would secure a top half finish on their return to the top-flight.

Team manager Dale Harley is pleased with his side’s progress, saying: “We’ve worked hard over the last few years and we’ve shown we can compete in this division.”

Other fixtures - Second XI Premier Division: Gresford 2nds v Carmel and District 2nds; Bangor 2nds v Menai Bridge 2nds; Buckley 2nds v Mochdre 2nds; Hawarden Park 2nds v Denbigh 2nds; Northop 2nds v Llay Welfare 2nds; Pontblyddyn 2nds v Brymbo 2nds.

Second XI East Division: Castell Alun v Marchwiel and Wrexham 2nds.