ST HELENS Recs had to settle for a draw in an enthralling game at home to to Orrell on Saturday.

Batting first Orrell made steady progress despite the best efforts of Ford who took 2-25 off 10 overs. Only the spin of Freeman enabled wickets to fall as he finished with good figures of 4-53 from 14.5 overs. Orrell, however, had managed to reach 203-7 when they declared after 49.5 overs.

In reply Recs lost early wickets but Huyton scoring 32 managed to bring the score to 65 before he was the third man out.

This brought Sheeran to the wicket and together with Wood they took the score on to 137 before Sheeran was the next man out for 39. The run chase was well and truly on and with Wood striking the ball well Recs could sense the victory as they only needed 15 off the final three overs with four wickets remaining.

Wood was finally dismissed for an excellent 64 but Recs lost wickets with alarming regularity and had to settle for a draw reaching 193-9 off 51 overs.

The Second XI were also involved in a close game at Wigan. Wigan batted first and reached 82 before the first wicket fell.

It was left to the spin combination of Stocks and Davies to slow the scoring down, Stocks producing figures of 3-50 off 19 overs and Davies 4 -57 off 16 overs as Wigan declared on 194-8 off 50 overs. In reply Recs set about the task but lost wickets at regular intervals with only Lyon (43) and Logan (22) staying at the crease.

At 133-6 Recs looked in trouble as Galbraith came to the crease to join Keane but both men played sensible cricket chipping away at the score. Needing eight from the final over, Keane only needed three balls as he smashed his way to 68 not out and partnered by Galbraith (35 not out) Recs passed the score reaching 198 for 6 off 44.3 overs.

There was a remarkable game as the Third DG XI travelled to league leaders New Brighton. Winning the toss and batting first Recs, in particular John Critchley, proceeded to pulverise the bowling.

Critchley smashed the club record, plundering 14 sixes and 14 fours in a magnificent innings of 179 not out. This stupendous effort, supported by Faragher (19) and Dunbar (20) allowed Recs to declare on 256-4 off only 48 overs. Recs bowlers did not disappoint their captain as Parsonage, bowling right through, finished with 4- 63 off 20 overs, and Ball took 4-24 off 11 overs as New Brighton were skittled out for 129 to finish an amazing match.

The Third XI SH played hosts to Northern 3 and for the third time in four weeks were subjected to being in the field for in excess of 60 overs. Anders was the pick of the bowlers finishing with 4-34 off 21 overs and being supported by Chorley (2-32 off 10 overs) and Pye (2-29 off 11.3 overs) allowed Northern to declare on 142-9 off 61 overs.

In reply the Recs batsmen found themselves against some in form bowlers and it was only Orford who could manage double figures reaching 27 as Recs were dismissed for a dismal 54 all out off only 17.4 overs.

The First XI travel to Hightown to play the last match of the season on Saturday, the ball being sponsored by Eccleston Bowling Club.

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