IT may only be the fourth week of the Premier Division season, but there’s a must-win encounter in store in the Premier Division tomorrow.

In a crucial clash, third-placed Brymbo will welcome Northop, who currently sit fourth in the rankings.

Northop skipper Bart Ryan-Beswick said: “I think it has to be a must-win game if we want to be competitive in the league.”

Ryan-Beswick is anticipating a tough challenge and he added: “It’s always a hard place to go. They have got some good bowlers and some really good batsmen. It’s crunch time, I suppose.”

Meanwhile, Brymbo skipper Dan Parry stressed: “I think it’s too early in the season to say it’s a must-win game. The league’s so close and it’s not one runaway team and you can’t win it if you lose a couple of games.

“You can still lose games in this league and still win it.”

Northop go into the showdown following a hard-fought victory versus Bangor, while Brymbo impressed in a seven-wicket triumph over multiple league champions Menai Bridge.

“It was a good game. Everyone played their part,” admitted Parry.

Tom Hughes returns for Northop tomorrow, while Henry Lunn is back in the Brymbo ranks.

Iroshan De Silva may have led Gwersyllt Park to the top table in North Wales but some of his team-mates are not happy with their skipper. “I’m not very good at winning tosses,” said the all-rounder ahead of tomorrow’s home game with local rivals Gresford.

“I’m in my third season here and I’ve only won three tosses in that time so the team are not happy with that record.

“Everyone wants to bat first at Gwersyllt but I don’t win that many tosses.”

Gwersyllt go into the game on the back of a thrilling three-run win over Denbigh – their first of the new season.

“It was a great win and everyone played their part,” added De Silva, whose side are at full strength.

It has been a tough start for Gresford, but skipper Matt Thompson is looking forward to the next group of fixtures as the side looks to get their season up-and-running.

“We have had three of the hardest fixtures we could have had to start the season,” he said. “We’re now looking to get some wins on the board.”

Thompson says Gresford remain in a positive frame of mind, with Wes Evans and Joe Benson set to take their places in the line-up.

The big match of the day sees leaders Mochdre at home to second-placed St Asaph.

Both sides have won their opening three matches of the season and a blistering Mochdre start means they are yet to drop a point.

“Fair play to them, they’re flying,” said Parry. “It will be interesting to see how they go on Saturday.”

Basement side Llandudno host Menai Bridge, while Denbigh head to Bangor.

Division Two: Carmel v Llanrwst; Corwen v Mochdre 2nds; Gresford 2nds v Pontblyddyn 2nds; Llay v Bersham; Menai Bdge 2nds v Bangor 2nds; St Asaph 2nds v M’wiel and Wrexham.

Division Three: Connah’s Q 2nds v Buckley 2nds; Conwy 2nds v Caernarfon; Denbigh 2nds v Ruthin; Halkyn 2nds v Gwersyllt Pk 2nds; Hawarden Pk 2nds v Mold 2nds; Pwllheli v Bethesda 2nds.

Division Four: Abergele 2nds v Carmel 2nds; Bersham 2nds v Llandudno 2nds; Llanrwst 2nds v Dolgellau 2nds; M’wiel and Wrexham 2nds v Mynydd Isa & Maeshafn; Ruthin 2nds v Corwen 2nds.