RAINHILL 1st XI travelled to a wet Aigburth in a match that, despite having chances, they eventually lost.

Much depended on winning the toss with the wicket covered overnight but very damp.

Unfortunately Rainhill were requested to bat first and were soon rocking at 6-4.

It was again captain Mike Rotherham who came to the rescue, ably supported by young Connor Morris. Rotherham took the score to 47-5 before departing for a gritty 27, while Morris batted with great fluency, taking the total to 86-6 before being caught for a fine 35.

Nick Chapman with 17 also helped to give the score some respectability before Rainhill were all out for 96.

The visitors were not going down without a fight though the Rainhill pace attack of Steve Jordan and Paul Robinson reduced the home side to 6-2, with the former claiming the homesters' Indian professional for a duck after only four.

However, with the wicket easing and a couple of missed catches, Aigburth moved the score to 81 before Jordan struck with two more wickets.

Then with the scores level Robinson claimed the fifth Aigburth wicket before the home side eased to victory. Jordan took 3-41 and Robinson 2-34, with Mattie Clifford claiming three catches.

There was better news in midweek as Rainhill demolished Tranmere Victoria to move into the Lever Cup semi-final.

Mike Rotherham and Phil Kelly each scored 29 in a Rainhill total of 156-9. In reply, the visitors collapsed to 86 all out with Steve Jordan (2-14) and Mattie Dale (2-30) the best of the bowlers.