THE misery continued for St Helens Recs CC on Saturday when they visited title contenders Ormskirk.

Losing the toss and being asked to bat on a seaming wicket all the batsmen struggled.

Only Australian Paul Toole showed any real resistance with a sterling 33. The only others to reach double figures were Wood (16) and Keane (11) as the Recs side were bowled out for a paltry 84.

Debutant Sheeran looked comfortable but received a vicious climbing delivery to remove him.

In reply the Recs bowlers were always going to struggle defending the total but spinners Potter and Freeman managed to slow the Ormskirk batsmen down. With plenty of time to play with the Ormskirk openers pushed the ball around and inched their way towards victory. With Pilon (61 not out) and Burns (19 not out) batting sensibly Ormskirk reached 86-0 leaving Recs to reflect on another poor performance.

It was a totally different game in the second XI fixture. Ormskirk, batting first, pushed their way to a sporting declaration at 168-4 off 48 overs. Skipper Aconley producing bowling figures of 2-31 off eight overs.

The Recs batsmen set about the task and got a good start with opener Bradley making 23, ably supported by Bond (17). However, it was when the experienced Huyton strode to the wicket that Recs score improved dramatically. Going into the final 20 overs Recs needed 90 with seven wickets remaining. Aconley (17) supported well but it was Huyton who starred with a marvellous 53. Wickets fell and going into the final over Recs needed six to win with two wickets left. Needing one off the final delivery the youth of Taylor and Galbraith showed as they scampered through to produce a thrilling victory reaching 169-8. The third XI SH team produced another fine performance against Leigh at Ruskin Drive on Saturday. Leigh won the toss and elected to bat first but always struggled against accurate seam bowling from Burrows, Hughes and Chorley. If the Leigh captain had any thoughts of a declaration they were forgotten as they had only reached 108-8 after 45 overs. They eventually reached 141 from 52 overs before they were all out. M Burrows bowling particularly well into the wind ended with figures of 3-27 off 16 overs.

Other bowlers of note were Hughes 2-23 off eight overs and Chorley 2-44 off 20 overs. In reply the Recs batsmen looked in little trouble, the first wicket, Orford (25), fell with the score on 75. This brought Riley to the crease to partner Gibson, neither batsman struggled and with Gibson powering his way to 70 not out and Riley supporting on 20 not out Recs reached 142-1 to take the game for their fifth straight win and edge towards the top of the league. On Sunday the third AD team visited local rivals, and top of the league, St Helens CC. Batting first St Helens got off to a flying start and had reached 103-3 from only 21 overs and looked to be heading for a high score. It was at this point the game turned on its head as the Recs bowlers took control. Leonard (2-28 off 7 overs) and Chorley (3-26 off 11 overs) put the brakes on but it was the spin of skipper Davies (4-11 off 6 overs) which really changed the game. St Helens crumbled and were all out for 119 off 35 overs. Recs batsmen produced a good start to the innings with J Burrows (13) and Jones (18) but the introduction of Logan to the crease decided the outcome of the match. He smashed his way to a maiden half century in senior cricket and when he was dismissed for 50 Recs only needed another 20 runs. Despite a few scares skipper Davies (14 not out) guided Recs towards 120-6 to take the 20 points.

This Saturday the First XI are at home to Colwyn Bay, the ball being sponsored by F T Shipping Ltd.

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