RAINHILL 1st XI's recent good form came to an abrupt end with defeat in the league and cup weekend matches away to Birkenhead St Marys in vastly-contrasting games.

On Saturday Rainhill won the toss and put the home side into bat on a lively wicket. Opening bowlers Steve Jordan and Paul Robinson caused havoc as St Mary's capitulated to 21-4 before making a brief recovery to finish 87 all out.

Robinson was the pick of the bowling with 5-33 ahead of Jordan (3-33) and Mattie Dale (2-16).

With St Mary's'Pakistan professional Nawas bowling with pace, scoring runs was never going to be easy, but at 33-2 Rainhill looked well placed.

However, they were soon in trouble at 40-7 and only Connor Morris, with a gallant 24, provided any resistance as Rainhill were eventually all out for 77, Nawas claiming 5-34.

On Sunday in the Kaufman Cup. Rainhill found their batting form with Geoff Cropper (36) and Dominic Sparkes (35) putting them in a good position at 87-2. Then good knocks from Mike Rotherham (28), a quickfire 37 by Chris Carlisle and an unbeaten 20 from Phil Kelly saw Rainhill reach 208-7 from their 45 overs.

In reply, St Mary's weathered the early bowling blitz from Jordan and Robinson and after this, wayward bowling and dropped catches cost Rainhill dearly as Nawas starred with the bat scoring 94 not out as St Mary's won with 212-3.

Rainhill, who are sponsored by P.B.S Windows of Prescot, aim to bounce back to winning ways this weekend with a home game against Ainsdale.