RAIN was the biggest enemy for St Helens Recs at the weekend. The First XI played hosts to Wallasey but due to the heavy rain play could only start at 4pm.

Wallasey won the toss and elected to bat. The batsmen played their shots but also conceded wickets at regular intervals and only Zimbabwe Test player Strang really got to grips with the conditions, his fine knock of 88 enabling the visitors to give a sporting declaration of 141-7.

All the bowlers bowled well but the pick were Howden with 4-70 and Ford with 2-55.

In reply, Recs got off to a good start through Martindale (26) and Wood (32) but when these were out the Wallasey seamers took control of the match on a drying wicket.

Wickets fell as the Recs batsmen chased the total and with Anderson taking 4-38 and Strang 2-40 Recs were forced to shut-up shop. Captain Morrison hung on at the end with a gritty 12 as Recs reached 92-8 to force the draw.

In the opposite fixture the Second XI travelled to Wallasey and after winning the toss, Recs batted first and set about the bowling in positive fashion. Keane, returning from holiday, looked in particularly good form as he butchered the attack before being dismissed for a fine 73. He was ably supported by skipper Aconley (50), Ericson (37) and Galbraith (20 not out) enabling Recs to declare on 201-6 from only 45 overs.

In reply Wallasey batted well but were pegged back by the Recs bowlers who always looked in control. In an exciting finish Wallasey needed nine runs off the last over with one wicket remaining. Only one ball was needed though as Recs dismissed them for 192 ensuring a 24-point win.

Galbraith bowled particularly well ending with figures of 5-28 off 10 overs, supported by Illidge who took 3-52.

The Third XI visited second-placed Sefton RI on Saturday. Losing the toss, Recs were put in on a damp wicket. Opener Tatlock produced a quickfire 22 but things slowed down after he was dismissed. Gibson inched his way to 28 and Parr scored 19 and, despite an agonizingly-slow over rate, Recs looked set for a good score reaching 88-3. But then a drying wicket took hold with balls rising from a normal length and the rest of the Recs batsmen could only muster 124 all out despite two towering sixes from Sharrock. In reply, with Chorley producing excellent line and length bowling Sefton had only reached 24-2 off 25 overs upon reaching the last hour. Sefton went for the victory but batsmen succumbed to rash shots and wickets fell regularly with some superb fielding producing three run-outs. The last Sefton batsman was dismissed with one over remaining and the score on 86 ensuring Houghton's team continue their steady climb up the table. Bowlers of note were Chorley 3-20 off 18 overs and Sharrock 3-23 off 18 overs.

The only disappointment of the weekend came on Sunday when the Third XI played Huyton in the quarter-finals of the Embee Trophy.

Huyton batted first and opening bowlers Chorley and Galbraith produced excellent performances to restrict them to 31-2 off 20 overs. Despite this excellent start the Huyton batsmen took control and with Ridge scoring 73 they managed to reach 153-8 off their allotted 40 overs.

Recs bowlers bowled without any luck, those of note being Galbraith 2-7 off eight overs, Chorley 2-18 off eight overs and Parsonage 2-15 off four overs.

In reply Recs produced a bad batting performance against some tight Huyton bowling. Losing wickets regularly Recs were reduced to 46-7 off only 15 overs. The tail managed to dig in and with Chorley (29), Stocks (16), Galbraith (13) and Parsonage (13) Recs managed to make the score a more respectable 117 before the last man was dismissed in the last over.

Next week the First XI are away to Hightown, the ball being sponsored by Autopoint.

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