CHIRK wasted very little time in beating Shifnal Thirds to continue their Shropshire League Division Two title challenge.

A fantastic bowling performance was the catalyst for Chirk’s seven-wicket win inside 46 overs as Wynn Jones and Gareth Partridge pocketed four wickets apiece.

Andrew Swarbrick and Nick Flack, right, picked up the other wickets to fall as Shifnal slumped to 87 all out having been 44 for one.

Shaun Walker (28) was the top run scorer as Chirk successively chased down 87 for victory inside 12.3 overs.

Swarbrick hit a quickfire 23 not out as Chirk closed to within 17 points of leaders Wellington Seconds, who beat Worfield Seconds by 28 runs.

Northop Hall’s impressive run of form came to a halt as they suffered a three-wicket defeat at the hands of Liverpool Competition Division One leaders Newton-le-Willows.

Having won the toss, Hall came unstuck with the bat as Sam Guest bagged 5-42 to dismiss the visitors for just 138.

Josh Andrady struck 46 with Jamie Hodgson (29) and Enamul Haque (24) helping Hall recover from 88 for five.

Hall’s spin twins, James Hurlin (4-55) and Haque (3-50) combined impressively to give the Flintshire side a chance of victory.

But a 62-run partnership for the eighth wicket between Mike Walkden (40 not out) and Matthew Hurst (22no) saw their side to a crucial win.

Matthew Hodgson was the star of the show as Hall Seconds defeated Fleetwood Hesketh Seconds by 10 wickets.

Hodgson took 8-19 as Fleetwood were skittled for just 36 as Hall won inside 24 overs.