CHIRK have taken the brave decision to leave the North Wales Cricket League and take their place in the Shropshire League.

Having been relegated from the Premier Division last season without picking up so much as a single victory, Chirk felt that now was the right time to switch their allegiances.

The Holyhead Road based club are expected to take their place in Division Two of the Shropshire League, where they will take on the likes of Lilleshall, Wheaton Aston and Hodnet, Peplow & Tibberton.

Captain Andrew Swarbrick believes the move will be beneficial, even if leaving the North Wales League won't be easy from a personal point of view.

"This will re-energise the lads and hopefully attract players who fancy a change of scenery from the North Wales League," said Swarbrick.

"The lads in our group are buzzing to be involved in the Shropshire League, who were very welcoming at the AGM.

"The move nearly happened three or four years ago, but we didn't feel the time was right.

"We've been asked to join the Shropshire League every year since and this is the first time I've thought 'this makes sense'.

"It's going to be a really good move for the club and it will help the young lads progress.

"I will personally miss the North Wales League. I get on really well with most of the lads in the North Wales League, but this is a great chance for the club to progress."

On the logistics of swapping trips to Dolgellau with away days at the likes of Ludlow, Swarbrick added: "We are right on the border for both leagues and this will mean far less travelling."

Chirk's departure opens the door for Carmel and District to take their place in Division One of the North Wales League for 2019.

Carmel missed out on promotion to Ruthin, who finished with a higher average points per game to take second place.

But Chirk's decision means that Carmel have been promoted to make sure the top two divisions both have 12 teams.

Speaking to the club's official website, Carmel captain Barry Mcgauty said: "We were absolutely gutted to miss out on automatic promotion by such a fine margin having finished level on points with Ruthin.

"This might be seen as promotion via the backdoor, but it is an opportunity we will grab with both hands.

"The most important thing is it ensures the club will be playing a higher standard of cricket next season."