Tomorrow top-of-the-table Hall cross the Mersey to confront Liverpool and on Sunday head to West Wales to face former trophy winners Gowerton in the semi-final of the coveted Welsh Cup.

"This is a really important weekend for us and if we can pull of back-to-back wins it will be a huge boost," confessed Nolan.

The Hall's slender ten run win over Highfield at Smithy Lane last Saturday propelled them back in pole position on a day when the rest of the entire programme was fortuitously washed-out.

"We are just three points in front now which is still too close for comfort but getting 20 points when everyone else was having to make do with five was a bonus we have to be massively grateful for," he added.

Since then the rampaging Hall have qualified for a dream tilt at number one club Bootle in the semi-final of the League Knockout Trophy by toppling Premier League hosts Northern last Sunday and confidence in the dressing room is justly sky high.

"They say nothing succeeds like success and we are no exception," observed Nolan.

"All the lads are aware of what's needed and there's an eagerness to get out there and perform. We realise what's at stake and I know everyone will be fired up to give it their best."

Promotion back to the Premier League and delivering the cherished Welsh Cup to Smithy Lane have been the clear objectives for the Hall all year.

"We have to keep winning to secure promotion while one more victory in the Cup will see us through to the final in September so no wonder the excitement is building up," smiled the captain.

Having only shaded a 9-8 points draw in their home encounter, the Hall know that Liverpool are not to be dismissed lightly.

Their ex-Indian Test ace Sunider Das (103) and partner Stephen Neary (124 not out) both cracked centuries at Smithy Lane, while cup hosts Gowerton have a revered record in the national competition.

The Hall recall old hand Darren Peters for both games, believing his experience makeS him the ideal man for the big occasions while Tony Sparks returns at Liverpool but misses the Gowerton trip.

Young Aussie all-rounder Simon Kars could prove a shrewd selection for the Gowerton test along with teenage run-getter Ed Markey while the blistering form of match-winning star Simon Butler – four centuries in a month – is one of the strongest grounds for optimism in the Hall camp.
Hall Seconds entertain Wigan tomorrow.