A ST HELENS Rounders League official has been appointed to a top national role.

Kath Bridge, of Pilkington Vikings, has been named National League Administration Officer.

The former England international will be responsible for co-ordinating games in the national league.

Competition is fierce and St Helens has entered a squad, managed by Rainhill's Carrol Whittaker.

Teams have been asked to provide names of suitable players.

Meanwhile, Bobbies Lane won the league's Yorkshire Bank Tournament.

In a close contest, they edged out Rainhill, who received the Nutgrove Alpha's Shield on rounders difference.

The teams were presented with their awards by one of the league's vice-presidents, Joyce Dingsdale.

On the league front Windle continued their winning ways by defeating United Gladiators 22-2. Windle scorers were Jackie Atherton (3) and Denise Cotham.

A closer match saw Windle beat Grasshoppers 4-3. Lynne Cornes (Windle) and Grasshoppers' Kath Northover (2) were the scorers.

Vikings ran out easy winners against Sutton, with rounders coming from Lyndsey Pumford and Michelle Rigby. Sutton's scorers were Sian Heaton, Andrea Travis and Julie Derbyshire.

Andrea also claimed a hat-trick of catches.

Elsewhere, TNT beat Burtonwood 17-5.

The second division saw Rainhill beat Grasshoppers 8-3. The Rainhill backstop/bowler combination of Rachel Smith and Annmarie Nacey helped restrict the Grasshoppers to one rounder by Lisa Friar.

Rainhill then went on to register rounders through Annmarie Nacey, Emma Pritchard (2), Rachel Smith, Joanne Taylor and Lisa Hamilton.

In the match of the week high-flying Spartans lost their unbeaten record to Haydock.

Spartans notched up eight, with Jean Thompson, Sue Barton and Janet Ryder among the scorers.

Haydock rallied and went into the last innings, three rounders behind.

Janet Ennis added her rounder to Cath Cross' first innings hit. Haydock kept at it, notching up half-rounders until they finally got their noses ahead.

Young Kelly Nolan hit a useful half-rounder, with Bev Bentham making it to second post for the match-winning half.

Sunday June 20 sees Pilkington Vikings and Spartans taking part in the National League Knockout at Ruskin Drive.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.