RAINFORD claimed a fine three-wicket victory at Skelmersdale on Saturday.

It guaranteed them fourth place in the league, and a berth in next season's Lancashire knockout.

The hosts elected to bat and thanks to a quickfire 48 from Smith looked well set at 70-2, this despite some fine bowling by Harrison who took both wickets.

It was only when Phil Curran came into the attack that the game started to swing the visitors' way.

Curran bowled unchanged for 16 overs as he single handedly dismantled the Skem batting line up taking 6-32 as they crumbled to 159 all out.

The reply survived the early loss of Dalrymple as Cook and Calland continued their fine recent run of scores. Both got into the 30s before a wild swish saw Cook clean bowled and an extraordinary decision saw Calland dismissed LBW. Harrison also produced his customary big hits but when he was caught in the deep for 30 the Rainford reply looked shaky at 120-5.

However, Hilton and Hope kept their heads to take the visitors to the brink of victory. Hope's late dismissal brought Corden to the crease and it was fitting that in his final first team appearance he should hit the winning runs and finish 10 not out to spark wild scenes of celebration.

The second eleven went down in a high scoring affair at home to Skem.

Batting first, Rainford amassed a respectable 216 from their overs with Maddison and Williams again in the runs, the former scoring yet another marvellously entertaining half century.

The Skem reply began slowly and at 80-3 the game was delicately poised, however this was as good as it got for the home side as Skem powered to their target with nine overs to spare to record a fine seven-wicket success.

Match ball sponsor was Winstanley's.

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