CONNAH’S QUAY have two targets in mind this weekend as they look to ease their relegation worries and blow the title race wide open with victory at Menai Bridge.

Martin Burger’s Quay are third from bottom heading into the final five weeks of the season, 31 points adrift of Denbigh, who occupy the final spot outside the drop zone.

Victory would not only boost their chances of escaping an unwanted relegation, but also cause a little panic in the Menai camp with the title within their sights.

The leaders were beaten last Saturday by nearest challengers Llandudno, who are now 24 points adrift, while third placed Brymbo are only four worse off with a fixture against Menai to come in eight days time.

Quay skipper Burger, who led his side to a seven-wicket win over Pwllheli last weekend, said: “Cricket is a funny game. If we do all of the facets right then we can beat Menai.

“We go into every game confident of winning and there is nothing better than beating Menai on their home pitch.

“We won’t be going there with our heads down, we will be going there looking to beat them.

“They are a very good side though and are doing very well, so we need to get everything right on the day.”

David Fox is rated doubtful for Quay, who are without youngster Rhys Stout for the trip.

Brymbo captain James Claybrook insists that his side are enjoying playing with freedom as they target a perfect end to the season.

Should Brymbo finish the campaign with five successive wins then they will have a chance of catching Menai Bridge, but Claybrook is happy for his side to focus on their own game.

He said: “I don’t think we can focus too much on Menai, seeing them lose obviously makes things interesting but we have just got to take each game at a time and see where that gets us come the last game of the season.

“Five wins out of five is a must for us until the end of the season, but the pressure is all on them to stay at the top so we are just playing with freedom and are excited about the prospect of being able to cause an upset a week on Saturday if we get a big win against Hawarden Park tomorrow.”

On the challenge of struggling Hawarden, Claybrook added: “We are always confident, especially with our home record. Every game poses a different challenge.”

Hawarden Park, meanwhile, are looking to finish the season strongly with their relegation to Division One edging ever closer.

Defeat could mathematically end Hawarden’s time in the top-flight, but Ian Martin isn’t spending too much time worrying about that.

He said: “We have been in a difficult situation for a while, so our focus is simply on performing as well as we can against Brymbo.

“We have the ability to beat the better teams in the division, as we showed when we beat Llandudno, but we know we’ve got to get everything right to do just that.”

Campbell Marr returns for Hawarden, who are without Craig Wilson, Tom Ducker and Bennett brothers Luke and Jared, while Brymbo are without Matty Turner.

Andrew Swarbrick is “absolutely gutted” after Chirk’s relegation from the Premier Division was confirmed - but he believes it might be in the club’s best interests.

A seven-wicket defeat at St Asaph confirmed Chirk’s return to the second-tier, although the writing had been on the wall for much of the season.

But with youngsters, including Ollie Gough, James Carter and Wynn Jones, better for a season in the Premier Division, Swarbrick feels Chirk can come back stronger.

“I’m gutted, absolutely gutted,” he declared. “I don’t want to leave this league, but when you look at things carefully it might be a good thing for the club going forward.

“The likes of Ollie, James and Wynn will go into next season with a couple of years of Premier Division cricket behind them, they will be bigger and stronger and ready to make their mark on Division One.”

Regardless of relegation, Chirk are determined to try and end their long wait for a victory this season.

Ahead of tomorrow’s home clash with title chasing Llandudno, Swarbrick said: “They are coming into the game on the back of a massive win against Menai Bridge, but we want to cause an upset.

“We are determined to get the win we want and the win I feel that we deserve in so many ways after sticking with it during a difficult season.”

Luke Gardner and Steve Kelshaw return for Chirk, who are without Billy Swarbrick.

Gresford are targeting a sixth successive victory as Northop visit tomorrow afternoon with safety edging ever closer.

Chris Ellwood’s in-form outfit are 39 points clear of the drop following a six-wicket win at Denbigh, who are now between Gresford and the relegation zone.

A win for Gresford tomorrow could move them up two places, including above Northop, which is in Ellwood’s sights.

“It was a great win in the rain on Saturday,” said Ellwood. “Not many teams win at Denbigh so delighted with that.

“The aim is to keep winning until we are definitely safe, and hopefully climb a few more places in the table.”

Thompson brothers Sam and Matthew are key to Gresford’s victory chances.

Other fixtures - Division One: Abergele v Dolgellau; Conwy v Mochdre; Llanrwst v Mold; Pontblyddyn v Bersham.

Division Two: Llangollen v Carmel and District; Bodedern v Halkyn; Corwen v Ruthin; Gwersyllt Park v Buckley; Marchwiel and Wrexham v Mynydd Isa. Sunday: Mynydd Isa v Bodedern.

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

Second XI East Division: Castell Alun v Chirk 2nds; Halkyn 2nds v Ruthin 2nds; Maeshafn v Connah’s Quay 2nds; Mold 2nds v Marchwiel 2nds.