SKIPPER Luke Gardner is back to bolster the Chirk ranks for tomorrow's Shropshire League Division One trip to Albertbury.

Gardner was unavailable for the thrilling contest with league leaders Frankton last time out, which unfortunately had to be abandoned.

Chirk looked to be in all sorts of bother when they were dismissed for 117 batting first, but talisman Andrew Swarbrick followed up his standout knock of 52 with five wickets as Frankton stumbled to 16 for six.

They had recovered to 36 for six when the match was abandoned.

Gardner: "By all accounts it was a classic example of Andrew pulling off moments where he could take a game away from a team.

"I genuinely believe if they had another 10 overs, they would have won the game."

With all of the other Division One matches also being abandoned, third-placed Chirk remain well in the mix for promotion to the top flight and they are currently 14 points behind Bomere Heath, in second.

Tomorrow's hosts Albertbury are 24 points behind Chirk, in fifth spot, with Gardner adding: "We have got a really good side on Saturday."

As well as Gardner himself, Gareth Partridge will come into the side.

Looking ahead to the match, the Chirk skipper said: "We have had really good games with them in terms of how it's been played.

"People will step up when it matters.

"It's never certain and we have got to produce the goods to get the result."

As far as the North Wales cricket team is concerned - Wales National County (North) - Chirk haven't been forgotten.

Team manager Russ Penrhyn-Jones attended the team's recent match versus Newtown, which Chirk won handily.

"He had some plans to put us on the map," said Gardner.

"It's really hard to even be considered.

"There's a young lad, Wyn Jones, and Liam Walker who are the right age that they could be playing at a very high standard of cricket."

Add into the mix the likes of Nick Flack and Andrew Swarbrick, who would certainly strengthen any North Wales XI.

In Division Six, Chirk Seconds hosts Corvedale tomorrow.

Northop Hall will look to build on a promising outcome last time out as they face a testing Liverpool Competition trip tomorrow.

Last weekend, Hall boosted their Division One survival aims via a five-wicket success versus Bootle.

Northop Hall will look to emulate this form during their trip to second-placed Liverpool.

Hall Seconds play host to Bootle Seconds.