DEFEAT is not an option for Brymbo as they make their way to Pontblyddyn tomorrow.

That's the mindset of skipper James Claybrook as he attempts to turn Brymbo's season around.

Claybrook's men have suffered five successive defeats this term to leave them second from bottom, 20 points adrift of safety and a further two behind ninth placed Pontblyddyn.

"It's a must-win game," said Claybrook. "The table doesn't look too healthy at present and it'll look even less so if we lose tomorrow.

"Defeat is not an option at this stage and we need to get a win on the board sooner rather than later."

But Brymbo are running into a determined Pontblyddyn, whose skipper Glenn Chambers said: “It’s another big one. In football terms, it’s another ‘six-pointer’.

“The aim for the season is to try and finish as high as we can and that means these are the games that you want to win.”

Pontblyddyn played well for the first half of last week’s six-run defeat at St Asaph, who were bowled out for just 150 on home soil.

“The fielding and bowling performance was top-drawer,” said Chambers, who was less than impressed as Pontblyddyn contrived to lose a game they were in control of, continuing: “It was just daft batting.

“To keep them down to 150 and then snatch defeat from the jaws of victory was really irritating.

“There were some very silly dismissals and there wasn’t much talking after the game.”

Pontblyddyn name an unchanged side for the clash with Brymbo, who see David Blackwell return.

And Brymbo are back in action on Sunday as they entertain Denbigh in the Welsh Cup second round.

Claybrook adding: "It's an opportunity to enjoy our cricket with less pressure."

Llay Welfare are also in cup action, visiting Liverpool Competition outfit Colwyn Bay.

Dan Williams wants Gresford to build on a “pretty much perfect performance” when they visit Mochdre tomorrow.

The Wrexham-based outfit made it back-to-back top-flight victories as they beat Pwllheli by 145 runs last weekend.

Gresford posted 251 for nine having been invited to bat first, before bowling their visitors out for just 106 in reply.

Williams said: “We set ourselves a good platform batting, and it allowed us to have a go at them in the latter stages.

“Confidence is very high, to score 250 while missing some key players fills us for confidence for the coming weeks when we will be full strength.

“We are now looking to keep the positive run going against a good Mochdre side, who have started the season very well.”

In terms of areas in need of improvement, Williams wants his bowling attack to sharpen up, if only ever so slightly.

“Bowling wise we’ve been better,” said Williams of last week’s win. “We were a bit wayward upfront against their overseas Tristan Coetzee and a pretty lucky half-tracker that got Morgan Murray-Williams out. But other than that we bowled to the same standards we’ve set all season.”

Williams and Jack Bunkell miss the trip to Black Marsh Fields, but the Thompson brothers, Sam and Matthew, and John Bell all return.

Bring it on. That’s the message from Martin Burger as Connah’s Quay prepare to play host to reigning champions Menai Bridge tomorrow.

Quay are rock-bottom of the top-flight with just three points from their opening six matches, while Menai are in third spot, well-placed for a successful defence of their title.

But Quay skipper Burger is not one to take a backward step, and although, on paper at least, Menai should leave Central Park with a healthy win, the all-rounder remains bullish.

“It should be a cracker,” said Burger. “We will give them a game at home and at the Quay anything is possible.

“We’ve seen what can happen when you put teams under pressure and we’ve done well with the ball and in the field for most of the season, so we will draw on those positives.”

Quay go into the game on the back of a 10-wicket defeat at Bangor, the visitors bowled out for just 109.

But Burger said: “There are still positives to take. Scott Adams (pictured) and Callum Miller put on a partnership of 50-odd in the middle order, which has been a problem this season, so that was pleasing.”

Darren Pritchard, Dylan Stout and Rob Downey return to strengthen Quay’s XI.

Northop have drawn a line under last weekend’s two-wicket defeat at the hands of Llandudno.

The Flintshire outfit looked in command at the halfway stage after posting 247 for nine.

But Llandudno took advantage of some inviting bowling to chase down that total with 14 balls to spare.

Team manager Dale Harley said: “We thought around 250 was enough, but we didn’t bowl well.”

Next up is a home clash with leaders Bangor, Harley adding: “We will be looking to bounce back in style against a good team.”

Darren Williams misses out with Mark Poynton returning.

Second placed Denbigh have home advantage over St Asaph, while Llandudno make their way to Pwllheli

Other fixtures -Division One: Abergele v Bethesda; Bersham v Carmel; Conwy v Hawarden Park; Gwersyllt Park v Llay Welfare; Llanrwst v Ruthin; Mold v Dolgellau.

Division Two: Bangor 2nds v Halkyn; Brymbo 2nds v Marchwiel; Corwen v Mynydd Isa and Maeshafn; Gresford 2nds v Mochdre 2nds; Llay Welfare 2nds v Northop 2nds; Menai Bridge 2nds v Buckley.

Division Three: Buckley 2nds v Pontblyddyn 2nds; Carmel 2nds v Mold 2nds; Hawarden Park 2nds v Gwersyllt 2nds; Mynydd Isa and Maeshafn 2nds v Abergele 2nds; St Asaph 2nds v Denbigh 2nds.

Division Four: Bethesda 2nds v Caernarfon; Dolgellau 2nds v Rhewl; Halkyn 2nds v Llanrwst 2nds; Llangollen v Conwy 2nds; Ruthin 2nds v Llandudno 2nds.