IAN MARTIN is confident that Hawarden Park’s horror show at Northop will be the catalyst for improved performances as the Flintshire side target Premier Division safety.

An under strength Hawarden outfit were skittled for just 41 having won the toss at the home of their Flintshire rivals, who cruised to a 10-wicket win in under 30 overs.

But with improved availability tomorrow against fellow strugglers Connah’s Quay, captain Martin is still confident Hawarden can make up the 21-point difference between themselves and ninth placed Gresford, who occupy the final spot outside the drop zone.

“We are confident of putting last week behind us with a win,” said Martin. “I honestly don’t think we are too far away from a good run of results, we just need a few things to go our way.”

The likes of Campbell Marr, Craig Wilson and Jamie Brailsford return for Hawarden, who are expecting a tough game against a Quay side one place and six points better off than themselves.

“They have a few danger men, but we are confident we can get a positive result,” continued Martin. “It’s a big game for both sides and it will be entertaining as we always seem to have competitive matches against Connah’s Quay.”

Quay captain Martin Burger was of a similar opinion to his opposite number, the all-rounder expecting a close contest between the Flintshire duo.

“The games are always tight between us and you never know which way the game is going to go until late on,” he said.

“We’ve both had poor seasons so far, but you know the game is likely to go down to the wire.”

Quay are 15 points adrift of safety approaching the halfway mark, Burger confident his side can turn their campaign around.

“We go to Hawarden then we’ve got Denbigh and Chirk at home, so the next three games are vital,” added Burger. “Hopefully we can get some points on the board and look to get ourselves into the middle part of the table.”

David Fox is set to return for Quay, who will give a late fitness test to overseas pro Matt Redinger after he injured his side in the 93-run defeat at Llandudno.

Chirk captain Andrew Swarbrick believes his side’s defeat last weekend can be a “turning point”.

Swarbrick’s winless outfit were beaten by four wickets at Pwllheli six days ago, but the all-rounder insists that the manner of the defeat means that there are more positives than negatives heading into tomorrow’s trip to Denbigh.

Chirk’s batsmen put a meaningful total on the board when scoring 218 for eight, before Pwllheli recovered from 65 for five to win, the home side’s overseas pro, Jason Underwood, hitting an unbeaten 79.

Swarbrick said: “When you put over 200 on the board you are always confident that you can win, but we know their overseas pro won them the game.

“We were massively confident at the midway stage and we showed so much heart in the field.

“Even though we lost it felt like a turning point in the season. We’ve got Denbigh coming up and after that we play Hawarden Park and Connah’s Quay, so we are excited about the next few weeks.”

Steve Kelshaw and Gareth Partridge could return to strengthen Chirk’s XI.

Northop are looking forward to measuring their progress as title chasing St Asaph roll into Flintshire tomorrow afternoon.

Mark Poynton’s men proved far too strong for struggling Hawarden Park last weekend, securing a win that put them seventh in the table with 74 points.

St Asaph will provide a sterner test, but team manager Dale Harley is interested to see his side’s standing in the division.

“It will be a good test of where we are at,” said Harley, who is able to name an unchanged side tomorrow. “St Asaph will pose a different challenge to the one we had last week and it will be a tough game.

“We will go into the game full of confidence and looking to pick up another win.”

Meanwhile, bragging rights are at stake tomorrow as Gresford entertain in-form Wrexham rivals Brymbo, who head into the clash on the back of a memorable weekend.

James Claybrook’s side defeated reigning champions Bangor last Saturday before securing a Welsh Cup quarter-final spot with victory over Colwyn Bay 24 hours later.

Captain Claybrook said: “It was a great weekend for the club and I am a very proud captain to have led the team through to the quarter-finals and open draw of the Welsh Cup.

“Our cricket is beginning to get a lot better and we’re heading in the direction I was hoping at the start of the season.

“There’s still room for improvement with the bat and we could have been a bit more ruthless with the ball by bowling Bangor out cheaper than it ended up being, but overall I’m very pleased.

“We need to keeping winning as sides above us don’t seem to be slipping up so tomorrow is another big game for us.”

On the rivalry with tomorrow’s hosts Gresford, Claybrook said: “It’s always good to play in local derbies so lads will be relishing the chance to make it three league wins in a row.

“It’s a rivalry as such, and of course we want to be the best side in Wrexham each year but for us it’s just another game.”

The absent Claybrook will hand over the reins to Dan Parry tomorrow with Connor Davies also absent.

Table topping Menai Bridge will look to continue their unbeaten run with victory at Pwllheli, while Bangor host Llandudno.

Other fixtures - Division Two: Llangollen v Mynydd Isa. Second XI Premier Division: Carmel and District 2nds v Buckley 2nds; Brymbo 2nds v Bangor 2nds; Llay Welfare 2nds v Northop 2nds; Menai Bridge 2nds v Denbigh 2nds; Pontblyddyn 2nds v Gresford 2nds. Second XI East Division: Maeshafn Argoed v Marchwiel and Wrexham 2nds; Mold 2nds v Gwersyllt Park 2nds; Rhewl v Halkyn 2nds; Ruthin 2nds v Castell Alun.