RAINHILL came agonisingly close to victory against Parkfield on Saturday.

Newcomer David Rowe occupied the crease for one hour and 29 minutes for 36 to build a 53-run partnership with Kevin Jones who was stumped for 31.

Further wickets were given away and Rainhill's total finished on a modest 148 off 49.1 overs to gain double bonus points.

In reply Parkfield scored steadily but wickets were falling regularly.

However, Rainhill just could not bowl them out. Nick Chapman was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 3-22 off 13. Dave Birkett, Mattie Dale, and Mike Rotheram took two wickets each.

Parkfield ended on 109-9 off 37 overs to cling on for a draw a draw.

The seconds, meanwhile, were defeated by eight wickets at Parkfield.

After being asked to bat Dave Hawkins made a vital contribution of 44 with some support from the other batsmen with young Mark Ford occupying the crease for one hour and 3 minutes for 13.

But the scoring rate was painstakingly slow as Rainhill crawled to 135 all out off 63.2 overs which is a run rate of 2.13 per over.

In contrast, Parkfield scored at a breathtaking pace reaching the target of 136-2 in 29 overs. P. Moore (49 not out) and D. Ratcliffe (47 not out).

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