CHIRK climbed to the top of Shropshire League Division Two after beating previous leaders Wellington Seconds by seven wickets.

Dubbed by Chirk captain Andrew Swarbrick as a title decider, his team didn’t let him down as they bowled Wellington out for 100 after being invited to bat first.

Nick Flack and Wynn Jones led the Chirk bowling attack with three wickets apiece, while Swarbrick claimed 2-21.

After the turnaround, openers Gareth Partridge (pictured, 34) and James Carter (20) led their side to 56, before Flack (26 not out) and Swarbrick (14no) saw Chirk across the line.

The Wrexham-based side now top the table by one point with nine games of the season remaining.

The first of those remaining nine matches comes as Chirk make their way to third from bottom Albrighton next weekend.

Old Xaverians couldn’t live with former Bangladesh international Enamul Haque as Northop Hall returned to winning ways in Division One of the Liverpool Competition.

Haque bagged 6-36, and with fellow spin king James Hurlin taking 3-53, Old Xaverians were bowled out for just 122, chasing Hall’s earlier score of 136.

It was tough going with the ball for Hall, who found themselves 45 for five and 117 for nine, before Hurlin guided them to what proved to be a defendable total with an unbeaten 34.

Gareth Fox (26) and Haque (19) also made important runs in the middle order as Michael Barnes’ Hall set themselves up for yesterday’s Ray Tyler Cup semi-final with Liverpool in perfect fashion.