CONNAH’S QUAY are relishing the chance to kick-start their Premier Division campaign against “rivals” Brymbo.

Martin Burger’s men have seen trips to Denbigh and Chirk washed out by the wet weather, but their frustrations are set to end as Brymbo visit Central Park tomorrow.

Quay’s second XI have played both of their games on home turf this term and Burger is keen to finally get going.

“For the second week running we had a practice session and then a BBQ watching the second team,” said Burger. “As good as it is standing eating good food with a cold drink, we are itching to play.

“From the practice sessions we’ve had I can’t wait to see the lads, like Foxy (David Fox) and Matt (Redinger) out in the middle.”

On the challenge of facing a Brymbo side that have played three times this season, winning two and losing their recent trip to Llandudno, Burger said: “We are very confident. Brymbo are one of our rivals, we usually have good games against them and they usually favour us.

“Brymbo have really good key players and we need to try and capitalise early to put them on the back foot.”

Seamer Darren Leach is available for Quay, who will be targeting a Brymbo side that need to bat better than they did at Llandudno last weekend.

James Claybrook’s side were bowled out for just 129 at Llandudno, who eased to victory with five wickets to spare.

Captain Claybrook said: “We had a couple of bad decisions and in hindsight we maybe should have bowled first, but the hard truth is we just needed to bat better.

“It was an opportunity missed to get ahead of the pack with the cancellations across the league.”

Turning his attentions to the trip to Central Park, Claybrook added: “The Quay haven’t played yet but you can’t really read too much into that. They have some aggressive batsman and one of quickest scoring grounds in the league so we know we are in for a very tough game.”

Hawarden Park are looking to forward to getting their season up and running at rivals St Asaph tomorrow.

The Flintshire side have seen home games with Chirk and Pwllheli cancelled due to the wet weather, while St Asaph have only managed to play one of their two scheduled fixtures.

Hawarden captain Ian Martin said: “It’s a shame we haven’t played, but they’ve only played one game this season, so they aren’t too far ahead of us in that respect.

“Training has been going well, so we need to take that onto the pitch because if we play like we know we can we will give St Asaph a good game.

“It’s a tough game, but we are looking forward to getting started.”

David Hughes, James Rowlands and Liam Naylor are all available for Hawarden.

St Asaph are also in action on Sunday when they travel to Denbigh, who kick-off a busy weekend of action at Pwllheli tomorrow.

CHIRK come face-to-face with potential dark horses Northop tomorrow, according to captain Andrew Swarbrick.

The Chirk skipper has been impressed with Northop’s winter business, which included bringing Jordan Evans back to the club and signing overseas professional Mohammad Khan.

Even Northop’s opening day defeat to Menai Bridge hasn’t deterred Swarbrick, who said: “It will be a good challenge. I’ve got a feeling Northop will be there or thereabouts this season. The signing of Jordan Evans is a statement in itself.

“They were strong when we played them in Division One and they’ve added some players to their squad, so I am expecting a good game between two teams that want to play cricket.”

Chirk have been unable to play a game this season, seeing a trip to Hawarden Park and last weekend’s home clash with Connah’s Quay rained off.

“I’d have given anything to have played any sort of game before now,” said Swarbrick.

“Our friendly matches were called off and even our plans to go and net before last week’s game were ruined.”

In the opposition camp, Northop are relishing their trip to Holyhead Road.

Team manager Dale Harley, who saw his side’s home clash with Bangor washed out last week, said: “We are looking forward to going there and trying to get some good points on the board.”

Swarbrick and Gareth Partridge will miss out for Chirk, while Northop are without Gareth Williams, meaning James Roberts will deputise.

Gresford are relishing their return to action as Llandudno pay a visit tomorrow.

Chris Ellwood’s side saw their first home game of the season, against Menai Bridge, washed out, meaning they were left to stew on their opening day loss to Bangor for another week.

Llandudno, in contrast, bounced back from defeat at St Asaph to beat Brymbo by five wickets.

Gresford captain Chris Ellwood, who sees his side entertain Chirk on Monday, said: “We are looking forward to a double header this weekend and hopefully some good weather.

“Llandudno are always strong, so we know we need to be at our best.”

John and Gareth Bell miss out for Gresford tomorrow.

Two of the expected title challengers, Menai Bridge and Bangor, go head-to-head.

WEEKEND FIXTURES

Division One: Abergele v Mold; Bersham v Mochdre; Llanrwst v Llay Welfare; Pontblyddyn v Bethesda; Conwy v Dolgellau.

Division Two: Bodedern v Mynydd Isa; Corwen v Buckley; Marchwiel and Wrexham v Llangollen.

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

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

Second XI West Division: Bethesda 2nds v St Asaph 2nds; Dolgellau 2nds v Llanrwst 2nds; Llandudno 2nds v Pwllheli 2nds.