THEY say form is temporary, but class is permanent.

That old adage will be demonstrated today as the North Wales over-50s’ team heads out into the middle for the first time at Connah’s Quay Cricket Club (1pm start).

It is the brainchild of Connah’s Quay second team skipper Andy Tilley, who hails from Northamptonshire.

He said: “I moved up here 10 years ago and I thought there’s no over-50s’ side up here.

“Last year, while playing, I went around the Wrexham area and across to Anglesey.

“We should have had a game at the end of last year, but that’s made me even more determined to get this up-and-running.”

For their first game, North Wales will be taking on Cheshire and the home team is captained by Halkyn’s Gareth Thomas.

Hard work from Tilley and Mochdre Cricket Club chairman Jon Davies have got the team to this stage and the aim is to play plenty of matches this summer.

Seven is the lucky number, although Tilley is ambitiously aiming for a dozen contests!

“I have players from nine clubs across North Wales represented on Wednesday from Brymbo down to Caernarfon,” he added.

“If we can achieve the seven friendlies this season, we will be enlisted into the ECB national county competition which will promote cricket for senior players throughout North Wales.”

Amongst the friendlies provisionally lined-up for this season include matches versus the likes of Worcestershire, Warwickshire, Shropshire and Cricket Wales, in addition to today’s meeting with Cheshire.

“Competitive sport shouldn’t finish when you get to a certain age,” stressed Tilley.

“We’ve also got an over-40s’ side set up. Jon and I have been working with Ian Martin and Robbie Marshall.”

The North Wales Cricket League has also offered its backing to the venture with a donation of £750, which has been used to purchase a kit for the players.

Gwersyllt Park’s James Collier, Brymbo’s David Roberts, Connah’s Quay’s Chris Boden and Tilley, Halkyn’s Duane Williams and Carmel’s Jonathan Appuhamy are all in the first ever North Wales over-50s’ side.

They are joined by Paul Gower (Caernarfon), Jon Eccles (Denbigh), Simon Harrison (Corwen) and Mochdre duo Stewart Williams and Jon Davies.

Any potential players or sponsors who are interested in becoming involved can contact Andy Tilley via tilsbeamish@live.co.uk or 07952 991880.