ST HELENS Recs held on for a draw at Worsley on Saturday.

After winning the toss captain Morrison invited the home side to bat on a dry flat wicket. The Worsley batsmen then proceeded to enjoy themselves as the Recs bowlers struggled.

Australian opener Pedrola reached his hundred in the 39th over before he was finally dismissed for 128. He shared in a fine partnership with ex-Lancashire man Heyhurst who reached his hundred off the last ball of the innings as Worsley declared on a massive 266-3 off only 49 overs. South African Faul was the only bowler of note having figures of 2 for 40 off 11 overs.

In reply the Recs batsmen produced their best display of the season so far. Wood (32) and Ericson (29) put on 60 for the first wicket but the win was never a realistic target facing such a large score.

Huyton, coming in at number five, scored freely as wickets fell about him and when he was dismissed for 41 Recs looked in trouble.

The last pair held on at the end for the draw as Recs reached a respectable 189-9 off 55 overs.

The Second XI were at home to Wallasey who won the toss and elected to bat first. The bowling was tight as the batsmen struggled to score with Howden, 2-28 off 14 overs, and Galbraith, 2-29 off 9 overs, being the pick of the bowlers. Wallasey were forced to declare on 162-6 off 51 overs.

In reply Sheeran scored well but wickets fell regularly at the other end and it was only Tarran (24) who offered any more resistance.

When Sheeran was finally dismissed for a fine 55 Recs capitulated losing their last batsman with one over to go having scored 110 off 39 overs.

The Third DG XI were at home to Wigan and produced a fine bowling display. Batting first Wigan were in trouble early on from the pace of Wills who dismissed the top order in quick succession.

Aided by the spin of Davies (2 for 2 off 5 overs) Wigan were destroyed by Wills who finished with fine figures of 7 for 46 off 15.2 leaving the visitors dismissed for a paltry 64 off 32 overs.

In reply Recs made light work of the total with captain Gibson top scoring with 29 and despite a mini collapse near the end Recs passed the total with ease reaching 65-5 off 20 overs to record their second win of the season. The Third SH were away to Bootle. Batting first the home side got off to a flying start reaching 70 without losing a wicket. The Recs bowlers stuck to the task and chipped away at the Bootle batsmen but a flourish at the end enabled them to declare on 187-8 off 45 overs. The bowlers of note were Sharrock (2-51 off 15 overs), Chorley (3-30 off 9 overs) and Hull (3-31 off 6 overs).

In reply Recs lost both openers cheaply but a fine partnership between Keane (21) and Hull kept Recs in the hunt. When Hull was dismissed for a swashbuckling 50 Recs middle order failed to keep the score moving and lost wickets at regular intervals as Recs were all out for 124.

On Saturday the First XI are at home to Huyton, the ball being sponsored by NGF Europe Ltd, and are away on Monday to Lytham, the ball being sponsored by F T Shipping Ltd.

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