ANDREW SWARBRICK believes Chirk can go from strength-to-strength after they finally ended a 21-month wait for victory.

Chirk defeated Welshpool by 128 runs last weekend to end a run of winless matches stretching back to August 2017, when they overcame Hawarden Park in the North Wales League.

Swarbrick’s men dominated the two Shropshire League fixtures prior to Welshpool’s visit, but Albrighton and then Sentinel Seconds escaped with draws.

But now that unwanted run has come to an end, Swarbrick reckons that the only way is up for Chirk in Division Two, saying: “It has been a long time coming waiting for a win.

“We’ve played well over the last few weeks, but haven’t come away with the outright win we deserved, so to finally get it on Saturday was absolutely brilliant.

“The games against Albrighton and Sentinel felt like wins, but to actually see that ‘W’ next to our name in the results is great.”

A trip to Worfield Seconds awaits Chirk tomorrow, Swarbrick continuing: “The club is a great place to be at the moment and we can’t wait for the next game to come along.

“I’m confident in the lads and if we perform like we have over the last three weeks then we should be able to get another positive result.

“The league switches now to win or lose with no draws on offer, so if we score the type of runs we have been we will be difficult to stop.”

Chirk posted 272 for four from their 45 overs against Welshpool, 18-year-old James Carter top scoring with an unbeaten 82 as the experienced trio of Nick Flack (65), Swarbrick (55) and Gareth Partridge (41) batted around him.

“He’s come on leaps and bounds,” said Swarbrick of Carter. “He’s been learning from former Brymbo all-rounder Conner Davies when they’ve played school cricket together and it’s really starting to show.

“He was rotating the strike and picking the gaps, and when he needed to up the run-rate he did.

“I’m so glad he’s back.”

And the Chirk captain is hoping Carter’s impressive innings can be used as inspiration for the likes of fellow youngsters Wynn Jones and Ollie Gough.

“It’s exciting when a young lad does well with bat and ball,” continued Swarbrick. “Seeing James do well will only help give the other youngsters we’ve got confidence.

“We’ve got plenty of talent and it’s only a matter of time when the young lads show it on a regular basis.”

Gough returns to action for Chirk, who remain without Chris Martin.

Chirk Seconds are back in action tomorrow afternoon as they play host to Albrighton Seconds in Division Eight of the Shropshire League.

Scott Lawrenson, meanwhile, continued a family trait as he hit his first ever century for Overton.

The 20-year-old all-rounder smashed an unbeaten 111 in Overton’s victory against Guilsfield and joined his brother, Matt, dad Rob and granddad Mike, in hitting hundreds for the club.

And he’ll be looking to continue his form when The O’s make the trip to Harcourt in Division Six of the Shropshire League tomorrow.