NORTHOP HALL showed that they can handle the pressure of a Liverpool Competition Division Two promotion race.

And stand in skipper Dan Clubbe is urging his young side to back up last weekend’s impressive eight-wicket win over Parkfield Liscard with a home success against Southport Trinity.

All eyes were on Hall after they lost to Sutton St Helens on August 4, but the Flintshire outfit bounced back in style to remain in the hunt for a top two finish.

Clubbe said: “It was a really good win last week under pressure after a couple of disappointing results.

“It is important to keep it up now as after this we go into a tough run of fixtures, including games against the current top two - Old Xaverians and Caldy.

“Things have tightened up at the top with Caldy’s loss and I can see it going right to the wire.

“But we are confident going into tomorrow’s game as we have all the usual match winners in our side, including Ed Markey and Jamie Griffiths.”

There was another reason for Clubbe to celebrate this week as he picked his award for being named the league’s July player of the month.

Clubbe, who has taken 48 league wickets this season, thanked his team mates for helping him pick up the award.

“It was nice to win but I owe it to the team really,” said the modest Clubbe. “It would be nice to see a couple more of our boys be rewarded in a similar way in the final weeks.”

Jack Allen also returns for Hall, who will be without usual captain Dave Kennedy and Alex Smith.

Hall Seconds make their way to Rainford Seconds tomorrow afternoon, while the Flintshire side’s third XI entertain Liverpool Thirds on Sunday.

Hall all-rounder Jamie Griffiths, meanwhile, sees his Wales Under-14s side tackle Staffordshire in the ECB Cup at Brymbo on Sunday, 11am.

Griffiths is also running a Cricket Week at Hall’s Smithy Lane from August 20-24 for children aged between nine and 16. For registration contact Joanne Evans at jevans@uk.tiauto.com