CHIRK skipper Luke Gardner is set to draw positives from the remainder of the season.

For the rest of the Shropshire League campaign, the draw is now off the table, with games only being won or lost.

This will make the toss far more straight-forward and Chirk remain well placed in the Division One promotion picture.

They maintained their top-two spot with last weekend's five-wicket success over Cound and Gardner said: "Gaz (Partridge) played a superb innings.

"It was like he was playing on a different wicket."

The second half of Chirk's season gets underway tomorrow with a trip to Wellington Seconds, who are sixth in the table with five wins from 11 matches.

However, the promotion chasers won't be at full strength.

All-rounder Andrew Swarbrick is out after picking up a side injury, while Partridge and Wynn Jones are away on holiday.

Chirk Seconds at home to Beacon Seconds.

It's also the start to the second half of the campaign for Northop Hall in the Liverpool Competition.

Back in the bottom-two in Division One, Hall play host to leaders Liverpool in a testing encounter.

However, Hall can take heart from the last encounter with the title favourites, which took place at the end of June.

On that occasion, Northop Hall were only defeated by 15 runs.

Northop Hall Seconds are on their travels to Bootle Seconds.

Chester Boughton Hall skipper James Duffy is more than happy going into the second half of the season with all to play for.

“We’re still firing in the Liverpool Echo T20 and we’re at the Cheshire County

League’s finals day against Nantwich next weekend,” said Duffy after an eight-wicket win at arch rivals Neston in the Cheshire County Premier Division last week.

“It was good to beat Neston – always good to beat our neighbours and I feel that despite having to shuffle the side over the last few weeks, we’ve got some decent momentum going.

“Rick Moore is bowling as well as he has for years and now he’s found his batting form too, he’s phenomenal.

"Jack Williams is getting four wickets almost every game too so I think we’re well placed in fourth position at the halfway stage of the season.

"Our flexibility even saw Lee Dixon behind the stumps.”

It wasn’t easy going for Neston as Rowan Shelton’s unbeaten 58 was pivotal to them reaching 191 for nine (Luke Jones 39, Moore 4-41, Jack 3-48).

An opening stand of 128 helped to make Chester Boughton Hall’s chase a lot

easier.

This was compiled by Moore (77) and Lee Dixon (73) as the visitors reached 192 for two inside 35 overs.

“It’s a trip to Bowdon on Saturday,” added Hall’s Duffy.

“They’re fighting for their lives and there are no straightforward games in this league, as we’ve already found out.

“Sunday is a trip to Birkenhead Park in the Cheshire Cup. We’re holders and that’s a trophy close to our heart."