Cricket previews: North Wales League and Liverpool Competition – victory will seal title for Bangor, Bay and Prestatyn must win to boost escape bid

North Wales Cricket League Premier Division fixtures – Saturday, September 7

Connah’s Quay v Gresford
Denbigh v Llandudno
Mochdre v Menai Bridge
Northop v Brymbo
Pontblyddyn v Bangor
St Asaph v Pwllheli

Bangor travel to relegation-haunted Pontblyddyn on Saturday knowing a win will clinch them the 2019 North Wales Cricket League Premier Division title.

A victory for the Citizens will also likely send Pont down to Division One, so much rests on this encounter at Alder Meadow.

Premier leaders by 26 points with two rounds of matches left, Gareth Edwards’ Bangor side have won their last seven completed league games, while next-to-bottom Pont are on a run of five straight defeats.

Skipper Edwards is back on Saturday, having missed last weekend’s victory over Pwllheli, while wicket-keeper batsman Robbie Marshall also returns.

Bangor will be without all-rounder Owen Reilly, who has been outstanding in his first season with the club.

Edwards said: “We will be missing Owen Reilly (injury) and will be relying on everyone to step up to replace his runs and wickets.

“We know Pont will be desperate for a win to keep them in the division so I expect a tough match.

“We know that one more win will seal the title for Bangor and it would be great to tie up the league with a week still to go.

“It’s exciting to be in this position and fingers crossed for a decent day of weather and a good game of cricket.”

Elsewhere, the battle at Black Marsh Field between Mochdre and Menai Bridge, who are both on 184 points, could settle the race for runners-up spot.

Liverpool Cricket Competition fixtures – Saturday, September 7

1st XI ECB Premier League
Southport and Birkdale v Colwyn Bay

Bottom side the Bay desperately need a win over a team two places above them to boost their hopes of avoiding the drop.

Sion Morris’ team are 14 points behind Southport and Birkdale with three rounds of matches to play.

1st XI First Division
Prestatyn v Birkenhead Park
Rainford v Northop Hall

The spectre of relegation is looming for Prestatyn, who are just eight points clear of the drop zone.

David Harris’ badly require a win over Birkenhead Park at Beach Close to allow them some breathing space.