DAN WILLIAMS believes Gresford will be hard to beat once they’ve secured a first Premier Division win of the campaign.

The Wrexham outfit have suffered successive defeats to two of the better teams in the division, losing by four runs at Menai Bridge and 24 runs at St Asaph.

Williams is frustrated by the closely-fought defeats, but is confident that a first win - hopefully at Bangor tomorrow - proves the catalyst for a positive run of results.

“It’s very frustrating that we keep putting ourselves in good positions, but are struggling to close the game out,” said Williams. “It’s up to us to get our first win, and when we do I believe we’ll be hard to beat.”

Williams will be looking for more excellence from all-rounder Chris Ellwood, who claimed 5-48 at St Asaph last weekend.

“Chris’ bowling was a pleasure to watch,” said Williams. “He’s the best seamer in the league on form and it’s up to the rest to back him.”

Pontblyddyn are preparing themselves for a second consecutive ‘must-win’ encounter as Pwllheli head to Alder Meadow.

Glenn Chambers’ side secured a crunch 29-run away win over Connah’s Quay last weekend, and their captain believes tomorrow’s challenge is similarly important.

“It’s another one of those ‘must-win’ games, the old ‘six-pointer’ in football terms,” said Chambers. “I think the opening weeks of the season have proved that there are a few teams who are going to be around each other and that winning games is important.”

Ali Roberts returns for Pontblyddyn, who will be looking for Rhys Jones to back up an “amazing” spell with the ball at Connah’s Quay, with Daz Wilcock and Mark Neath unavailable.

While Pontblyddyn host Pwllheli, there’s a Flintshire derby taking place down the road as Northop entertain Connah’s Quay.

Despite suffering back-to-back defeats this season to prop up the division, Quay captain Martin Burger has been encouraged.

“There are still a lot of positives, which is absolutely fantastic,” said Burger. “We don’t have the best XI in the league, but we will put up a good fight every week.”

Northop came unstuck at Denbigh last weekend, losing by 34 runs, team manager Dale Harley saying: “The aim is to bounce back immediately with a victory.”

Captain Gareth Williams is set to be sidelined for most of the month after damaging ankle ligaments in last week’s loss. Matty Williams will skipper Northop tomorrow.

Brymbo captain James Claybrook reckons a first win of the season is around the corner if his side can improve their batting.

The Tan-y-Fron outfit have scored just 163 runs in two outings, the latest of which saw them collapse from 91 for one to 112 all out chasing 138 for victory.

Ahead of the home clash with St Asaph, Claybrook said: “If we can improve with the bat and our set batsman kick on I have no doubt we can do the job with the ball to get the first win of the season.”

Dave Blackwell and Shashika Chiran return for Brymbo, but Gaz Pugh and Will Smith miss out.

Menai Bridge host Llandudno and Mochdre head to Denbigh.

Division One: Bersham v Mold; Carmel v Bethesda; Conwy v Abergele; Dolgellau v Ruthin; Gwersyllt v Llanrwst; Llay v Hawarden. Division Two: Buckley v Halkyn; Corwen v Bangor 2nds; Gresford 2nds v Northop 2nds; Marchwiel v Menai 2nds; Mochdre 2nds v Llay 2nds; Mynydd Isa and Maeshafn v Brymbo 2nds. Division Three: Connah’s Quay 2nds v Abergele 2nds; Hawarden 2nds v Carmel 2nds; Mold 2nds v Denbigh 2nds; Pwllheli 2nds v Gwersyllt 2nds; St Asaph 2nds v Pontblyddyn 2nds. Sunday: Abergele 2nds v Pontblyddyn 2nds. Division Four: Bethesda 2nds v Rhewl; Llandudno 2nds v Caernarfon; Llangollen v Halkyn 2nds; Llanrwst 2nds v Conwy 2nds; Ruthin 2nds v Marchwiel and Wrexham 2nds.