RAINFORD CC remain in pole position in the Southport League title after a well-deserved home win over neighbours Haydock.

But with the chasing pack snapping at their heels any mistakes against next opponents, Norley Hall, could prove costly.

Haydock batted first and were soon under pressure from opening bowlers Harrison and Calland. Although wickets were hard to come by, the pair kept the batsmen in check. But the game changed dramatically with the introduction of Robinson and Curran to the attack as they took four and three wickets respectively to rip the heart out of the Haydock batting.

Top scorer Derbyshire led by example for the visitors, but despite his efforts and a last-wicket partnership of 26, Harrison returned to the fray to polish off the Haydock innings for a total of 143.

The Rainford innings got got off to its usual explosive start with Cook and Dairymple (36) scoring at six an over. Then, after a mini 'collapse' to 60-3, Robinson (32) and Tulley (24) steadied the ship before skipper Harrison's rapid-fire unbeaten 20 eased his side to a five-wicket victory.

In the reverse fixture at Haydock, Rainford's second team went down by 58 runs. The home side reached 163, despite returns of 4-50 by both Welding and Ford and two wickets for injury-prone all-rounder Fogarty.

Rainford's reply never really got going and although Warbrick, Maddison, Sebastian and Welding all played themselves 'in' they were unable to go from there and the visitors were shot out for just 105.