ANDREW SWARBRICK has warned Wellington Seconds that Chirk haven’t conceded defeat in their Shropshire League Division Two title challenge.

Chirk saw their scheduled trip to rock-bottom Welshpool washed out last weekend, which allowed Wellington to open up a 30-point lead at the top of the division with an eight-wicket win over Forton.

There are just six matches of the season remaining for Chirk to claw back the deficit, but captain Swarbrick remains confident.

“Of course it can be done,” said Swarbrick of catching Wellington. “They need to drop points and I can see it happening.

“I wanted the title to be in our hands, but it’s not and we will be looking to put as much pressure on Wellington as we can. We need them to slip up, but we also need to make sure that we do our own jobs if we are to capitalise.”

Wellington head to fourth placed Lilleshall tomorrow, while Chirk face a tough test of their own as Forton, in third, make their way to Holyhead Road.

“It will be a tough game for us and we need to make sure we are ready,” said Swarbrick. “They looked a decent outfit when we played them earlier in the season, but we managed to produce one of our best performances to win, and we need to do that again.”

Mark Shaw, Shaun Walker and Gareth Partridge miss out for Chirk, who welcome back Frank MacDonald-Brown and promote Stephen and Sam Davies.

Chirk Seconds make their way to Albrighton Seconds tomorrow.

Northop Hall will be looking to bounce back from an 81-run Liverpool Competition Division One loss to Birkenhead Park.

Hall’s slim promotion chances took a blow as they lost to captain Michael Barnes’ former side, but they have the chance to make amends by toppling fourth placed Highfield tomorrow.

The Flintshire side’s second string host Southport Trinity Seconds and the third XI entertain Birkenhead Park Thirds tomorrow, while the Fourths face Newton-le-Willows Thirds on Sunday.

Former Hall all-rounder, Jamie Griffiths is running a cricket academy from Monday to Friday next week (9am-3.30pm). It’s £80 for the week, or £20 per day with a free t-shirt and bag. To book, email griffi4j@gmail.com