MARTIN BURGER revealed that Connah’s Quay’s struggling players had a “stern talk” after their latest Premier Division defeat.

Quay suffered a 203-run defeat at the hands of reigning champions Menai Bridge, leaving them 33 points adrift of safety with around a third of the season played.

Defeat to Menai Bridge is not necessarily cause for concern, but Burger was keen to talk about his side’s difficult start to the campaign in a quest to spark a turnaround in fortune.

“I said ‘guys it has to start changing’,” explained Burger. “Some clubs go through immense change when they go down.

“A club isn’t as attractive when it goes down and that needed saying.

“The lads took it onboard and it finished on a positive note.

“It only takes one game to turn the season around.”

A trip to Llandudno isn’t the easiest of fixtures, but Burger is remaining positive.

“They are a good side,” he said. “Our history against them doesn’t point to a definite victory for us, but a win would be a big positive and drive a change for the better.

“If we can get through this tough season and stay up then hopefully there can be a significant change going forward.”

Asked whether he still believes Quay have the quality to survive this term, Burger added: “We have to stay positive.

“There are a few teams above us who we can definitely overtake.”

Wicket-keeper Tom Hooson misses out for Quay.

Two teams looking to get back on track go head-to-head at Clappers Lane tomorrow as Gresford entertain Northop.

Gresford were beaten by eight wickets at Mochdre last weekend, while Northop suffered a 10-run defeat to Bangor.

“We lost silly wickets at silly times,” said Northop team manager Dale Harley of his side’s defeat.

“We had a chat after the game and we are looking to put the defeat behind us against Gresford, who are only three points ahead of us in the table.

“We are still full of confidence and looking to bounce back.”

Captain Gareth Williams returns for Northop, who are without Harry Lewis.

Gresford skipper Daniel Williams also returns, alongside Matty Cree and Jack Bunkell, although Chris Ellwood, Chris Mullock and Ryan Williams miss out.

The Gresford captain said: “The thoughts on last week’s defeat were that we made the wrong choice at the toss and should have bowled, as the wicket was tough to bat on.”

Focusing on getting back on track, Williams is confident of beating Northop, although he expects a tough encounter.

“We start getting a few more players available from this week so we are looking to push on,” he said.

“Northop will definitely be in the mix come the end of the season, I think because they’ve got a long batting line up and some handy bowlers.”

Glenn Chambers described Pontblyddyn’s current failings with the bat as “very irritating”.

For a second successive week Pont fell agonisingly short of victory, following up a six-run defeat at St Asaph with a seven-run loss to Brymbo last Saturday.

“It wasn’t good again,” said Chambers. “We bowled really well again, but at the moment we just can’t bat. We are struggling to get going with the bat and it’s difficult to put a finger on why.”

Chambers will be hoping Pontblyddyn can find their form with the bat as they head to reigning champions Menai Bridge tomorrow.

Menai are third in the table, four points off leaders Bangor, with Chambers expecting a typically tough encounter.

“They are a very good side,” he said. “Their consistency over the last eight or so years has been fantastic and in many respects they are the blueprint for other sides to follow.

“You don’t win the amount of titles they have without being a good side and I’m looking forward to playing them.”

Chris Myles and Daz Wilcock miss out for Pont, who will be hoping Chris Moss picks up where he left off last week, the all-rounder hitting a 56-ball 79 after taking 1-23 from 12 overs.

Brymbo will head into their home encounter against Pwllheli with renewed confidence after ending their winless start to the campaign at Pontblyddyn.

“It was good to get the monkey off our back and get the ball rolling for the season,” said Brymbo captain James Claybrook. “It ended up being a lot closer than it should have been after having them seven wickets down, but we were relieved to get over the line.

“The renewed confidence was definitely evident in the dressing room after the game and we look ahead to tomorrow and trying to make it two wins in two.”

On the clash with Pwllheli, who are eighth in the table, Claybrook added: “They lost players in the off season similar to us, but they are coming off the back of a good start to the season and an impressive win against Llandudno.

“We know we are in for a tough game but are confident we can get the victory if we perform to the levels we know we can.”

Gaz Pugh returns for Brymbo.

Mochdre, in fourth, will be looking to continue their fine return to the top-flight with a win at St Asaph.

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

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

Division Three: Abergele 2nds v Hawarden 2nds; Connah’s Quay 2nds v St Asaph 2nds; Mold 2nds v Buckley 2nds; Pontblyddyn 2nds v Mynydd Isa and Maeshafn 2nds; Pwllheli 2nds v Carmel 2nds.

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