DAVE KENNEDY is confident Northop Hall can learn from the error of their ways.

The Flintshire outfit lost control of Liverpool Competition Division Two as they were beaten by 44 runs at the home of new leaders Caldy last weekend.

Caldy were bowled out for 195 on a challenging wicket, before Hall were dismissed for 151 after recovering from 38 for four due largely to Jamie Hodgson (50) and Ben Slater (31).

Captain Kennedy insists that Hall were slightly short of their best with bat and ball, but has backed them to respond as St Helens Town visit Smithy Lane tomorrow.

"Caldy probably got 40 runs too many after we got in a position to bowl them out for around 150," reflected Kennedy. "They had some lads down the bottom of the order who swung the bat and put on some valuable runs.

"We got off to a terrible start in reply. We slipped to 38 for four after some poor decisions, we lacked the discipline needed to beat the top teams in the division.

"Jamie Hodgson made it look like he was batting on a different wicket, but once he got to 50 he went for a big shot and got out."

The experienced Kennedy, who saw Northop Hall beat Gresford in midweek to win the Flintshire Knockout, continued: "I didn't point any fingers at the end of the game, but we do need to take responsibility with the bat.

"We need people to get us into a position to win games and then kick on from there. We need batsmen who will get us to within 30 or 40 rather than 80 or 90.

"As I said to the lads, it's about learning from what you've done and why you've not won a game and they are all looking forward to trying to get back to winning ways.

"Caldy are playing Sutton, who are third, so hopefully we can get a win and go back top."

Josh Andrady and Carwyn Johnson are included in the Hall XI with Jack Billington and Dave Hodgson dropping out.