CRICKET sides from across the region will be aiming for success as the new season gets underway this weekend.

Bangor, Menai Bridge, Bethesda and Bodedern have been hampered by adverse weather throughout their preparation during pre-season, but all four have lofty ambitions heading into the new campaign.

The North Wales Cricket League Premier Division champions have lost the services of influential all-rounder Francois Mostert for the summer, but have moved swiftly to replace the outgoing superstar with New Zealander Matt Kelly, a British Passport holding right-arm seamer plying his trade in Wellington’s top-flight club competition, the Rothbury Capital City Premier Men’s.

He has also represented the Hutt Valley Men’s team in the Cricket Wellington Dempster Shield, and comes with a proven record in one of New Zealand’s best club competitions.

Robbie Marshall has agreed to stay on as skipper for the champions, while key figures such as batsman Matty Haswell have also signed on for the coming campaign.

The title holders begin their season by welcoming Gresford to the Ty Newydd Ground on Saturday, April 21, before travelling to newly promoted Northop and fierce rivals Menai Bridge for what is expected to be a pivotal clash in the early stages of the campaign.

Bridge will be looking to go one better than their second-placed finish last term, and will once again be led by former Glamorgan Academy prospect Dion Holden after a successful first term at the helm.

Overseas bowler Zach Ringrose will not be returning due to work commitments in New Zealand, but they have acquired the services of talented seamer Patrick Glover from recently relegated Mochdre.

Another exciting signing is batsman Ed Gadsby who, joins from Bodedern, Luke Jones returns from a season away plying for Formby, and wicketkeeper Jack Gower is also a significant presence in the squad after returning from a stint in Australia.

Josh Massey is also an exciting young talent at the club who will be playing for the Welsh age group side before he starts his sports scholarship at Rydal Penrhos in September.

The championship contenders begin with a home tie against newly promoted Northop, and also travel to Gresford before their crunch early season encounter with derby rivals Bangor.

Bethesda are quietly fancied to make their presence felt in a highly competitive North Wales Cricket League Division One, and they begin with a home tie against Llay Welfare on Saturday.

Following their opening day fixture, Pesda host title hopefuls Llanrwst and travel to Pontblyddyn in what looks to be a difficult start.

Bodedern hold high hopes of a strong Division Two campaign and being on their travels against Halkyn, before taking on Llangollen, Mynydd Isa and Ruthin in their opening month.