ST HELENS Recs 1st XI drew at home to new boys Highfield on Saturday despite posting an impressive 200-7.

After winning the toss and electing to bat first, the runs came at a trickle with only Andy Ford (30) and his brother Paul scoring well as the score reached 138-5 from 50 overs.

Paul Ford then accelerated the pace, crashing the bowling around and by the time Recs declared after 59.4 overs, he had reached his maiden senior century finishing on a superb 103 not out.

In reply, Recs bowled well but the game was in the balance, as going into the final 20 overs Highfield had reached 111-5.

Garvey was again among the wickets, finishing with 3-62 from 19 overs, but Freeman topped this with 4-72 from 20 overs.

The visitors were reduced to 164-for 9 with seven overs left, but Recs could not make the final breakthrough and the match was drawn as Highfield reached 182-9 from 53 overs.

The 2nd XI travelled to Highfield who won the toss and put Recs in to bat. This looked to be a bad decision as Recs got off to a steady start with Huyton batting particularly well.

Then with the score at 71-3 Filson joined Huyton at the wicket. Both men played with a combination of deft touches and raw power as the bowling was punished.

Filson was next out for a good 69 with the score on 196 but Huyton continued the good work and he was the last man out for a magnificent 113 as Recs amassed a formidable 227-6 declared from 48.5 overs.

In reply, the Recs bowling was tight with Howden bowling particularly well, but with no luck. Highfield had reached 74-3 going into the last 20 overs and in the run chase lost wickets. All the bowlers chipped in with Coulton taking 2-25 from 11, Ball 2-16 from six, and Rana 2-14 from six, but it was the pace of Filson, capping a fine all round display, which did the damage.

He finished with 3-51 from 11 overs and in another tight finish Recs had five overs at the final pair but could not get the breakthrough as Highfield hung on at 137-9 from 45 overs to draw the game.

The 3rd JP XI played host to New Brighton KW who won the toss and elected to bat first.

The Recs' bowlers were put to the sword with only Wills, Watkins and Pumford being wicket takers as New Brighton scored 209-3 from only 35 overs.

In reply, Recs got off to a good start with Orford and Morrisson. When Orford was out for 29 the score was on 59 and Morrison went on to score 35. With the score at 103-4 the game was in the balance, but the Recs later order could not produce the goods, only Tinsley (19) managed double figures as they were dismissed for a disappointing 124 from 46.3 overs.

This week the 1st XI travel to Formby on Saturday the match being sponsored by Mather and Stuart Plant Hire.