SATURDAY was a historic day for Rainford's cricketing brothers Steven and David Harrison.

A hat-trick is rare in any cricket match. But Rainford skipper Ste Harrison achieved one in Saturday's match against Burscough.

Remarkably, at the same time in the second team fixture against Winstanely Park brother David performed the same feat.

Harrison was the undoubted star of the first team fixture at third-placed Burscough.

After winning the toss the home side soon rattled up 70 without loss on a flat home track before Harrison's introduction with the ball turned the game upside down. The hat trick came in a six-ball burst that claimed five wickets for no runs as Aussie keeper Robinson stumped three home batsmen for good measure.

Harrison finished with figures of 9-31 to leave the home side stranded on 146 all out. Rainford's other wicket was claimed by Curran after a fine catch by . . . Harrison.

The Rainford batsmen set about the home side attack in customary fashion with Cook (25) and Robinson (45) scoring well.

Dalrymple and Harrison chipped in useful runs but at 104-4 with plenty of time still on the clock the rains came and washed out the contest. The second string dominated their clash with Winstanley Park. Batting first Rainford openers Maddison (91) and Williams (69) treated the large walking day crowd to a thrill-a-minute opening stand of 175.

After their exits it was left to Welding and Harrison to take the home score on to an impressive 229-4 declared. Refreshed by a large tea, Harrison proceeded to demolish anything in his path with the ball.

Bowling in tandem with fellow speed merchant Welding an early wicket was followed by a superb hat-trick as the Park batsmen struggled to cope on the hard wicket.

Harrison eventually finished with 5-50 but with the rain starting to fall and time running out the visitors' last pair managed to hold out despite a last ditch wicket by spinner Williams who also had a catch dropped.

Match ball sponsor was S Critchley.

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