RAINHILL had to settle for a draw against Liverpool Manweb at Victoria Terrace on Saturday.

Manweb charged ahead as I. Priar scored a very productive 69 and M. Nickson hit three sixes in his 44 to give their side a formidable 204-8 declared off 50 overs to get double bonus points.

Rainhill had bowled themselves back into contention when Manweb were in trouble at 70-3 thanks to Nick Chapman's 3 for 45, but Rainhill let them off the hook until Mattie Dale took two wickets and Stuart Worrall had three. Despite losing an early wicket Rainhill made steady progress through Captain Mike Rotheram's 37 and Dominic Sparkes scored his second 50 of the season to steer Rainhill to a useful draw on 132-7.

The seconds fought their way back to a sensational win when Manweb were cruising at 93-3 but collapsed to 115 all out. This was due to Andy Bennett's devastating bowling. He took a career best of eight wickets for 33 including 10 maidens from 17.4 overs.

James Cashman kept the Rainhill's innings together by producing a superb 33 as wickets went down at 43, 54, 62, 67, 90 and 103. Paul O'Donnell made a useful 16 by staying at the crease for an hour which helped Rainhill to clinch the 20-point win by four wickets.

The Sunday XI entertained Oakmere at home and batted first. Mattie Dale and Mike Rotheram both scored double figures of 11 each, with Brian Cashman hitting an unlucky 13. Lancashire Under 11 Paul Bathgate made his debut and looked very classy and scored seven which is no mean feat against senior opposition. Rainhill only managed 76 all out before the thunder storm made it impossible for Oakmere to reply.

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