JAMES CLAYBROOK insists Menai Bridge are “overwhelming favourites” to win the Premier Division - but Brymbo won’t stop trying to wrestle the trophy from their grasp until the challenge is mathematically over.

Claybrook’s men gave themselves a chance of glory when they thrashed leaders Menai by 160 runs last week, victory moving them to within 13 of the summit.

There are just three games remaining for Brymbo - or Llandudno who are a point and a place further back ahead of their home clash with Denbigh - to try and upset what looked certain to be a comfortable Menai title triumph.

Claybrook, who will be looking for the likes of Greg King, Dan Parry and Connor Davies to impress, said: “There’s still a long way to go, but for us it’s nice to go into the final three games with a glimmer of hope and something to play for.

“It was important for us to beat Menai and beat them well, and that’s exactly what we did. It was undoubtedly the best all-round performance since I’ve taken over as captain and the lads showed that we can be the number one side and match anyone in the league.

“Menai are still overwhelming favourites and I back them to still win the league, but we remain positive and know pressure does funny things.

“If we win our last three games, taking 45 points in the process, we know we’ve got a great chance to win our first league title in years.”

First up for Brymbo is a trip to Chirk, who won’t be doing Claybrook’s men as they strive for their first win of the season.

Chirk captain Andrew Swarbrick said: “I say the same before every game, but the opposition has got nothing what we are trying to do and that is to win.

“Brymbo have blown the title race wide open. I thought it was done and dusted for Menai Bridge two or three weeks ago, but it’s become very interesting now.

“They are challenging because they are a good team. Someone always scores runs for them and it can be any one of a number of players.

“We won’t under-estimate them, but we know we have the ability to give them a game.”

The odds might be stacked against them, but Hawarden Park will be trying to do everything they can to help Brymbo’s cause.

Hawarden make their way to Menai Bridge looking to pull off an unlikely victory in their quest to avoid an almost certain relegation.

Captain Ian Martin, who will hand over the reins to David Hughes tomorrow, said: “We will go there trying out best to finish the season strongly.

“Menai need to win while there is no pressure on us given our situation and hopefully the freedom will help some of our players perform to their best.”

Hawarden’s chances of victory won’t be helped by availability issues with Martin amongst a handful of senior players missing the trip.

Third from bottom Connah’s Quay need just six points to be safe from the threat of relegation, regardless of Hawarden’s results.

Martin Burger’s men make their way to in-form Gresford, who have their sights set on a top half finish following seven successive league wins.

Challenging Gresford for sixth spot are eight placed Northop and Pwllheli, who are seventh in the table ahead of their trip to Flint Road tomorrow afternoon.

In the other game of the weekend, fourth placed St Asaph entertain Bangor.