ST HELENS CC crashed out of the Echo Cup against Wallasey when every batsman was caught out chasing their opponents' total of 97.

Wallsey took first knock and Strang top-scored with 33.

Subu Banerjee bowled his usual good spell for nine runs and Jordan (2-28) and Roughley (3-19) seemed to have done enough to ensure a win.

It looked good for St Helens, especially when they replied with 20 runs off the first four overs with all wickets intact.

Unfortunately, seven overs later the scoreboard read 30-7 and the innings eventually closed at 63 all out. Only Banerjee (13) and Roger Burrows (11 not out) reached double figures.

Zimbabwe Test all-rounder Strang followed his top score with three wickets for nine runs.

The league game at Southport looked an impossibility on Saturday with heavy rain falling and the pitch covered in puddles of water.

Excellent work by the ground staff and players got the game under way over two hours late and Southport's delight in winning the toss and putting St Helens in to bat on the wet wicket was plain to see.

The early batsmen found it hard to cope with Test bowler Kuruvilla but a warm afternoon sun gradually dried out the wicket and scoring became less of a lottery. Some lusty blows by S. Kenny (34), S. Banerjee (22) and particularly Gary Sheppard with 37 not out (two 6s and four 4s) enabled Woods to make a sporting declaration at 134 for 8.

Southport though reached this with three overs to spare for the loss of only two wickets.

The second team was unable to play at home on Saturday but a sunny Sunday saw the third team continue their excellent season with a win against Wallasey to keep them in second place with three games in hand over league leaders New Brighton.

Wallasey crawled to 112 all out in 50 overs with Daniel Massey taking 5-25 and Kane Moss 2-9.

St Helens lost five wickets in passing the winning total just before the rain came with A. Cadel (34) and G. Bass (20) making major contributionsn.

This Saturday the first team entertain Leigh.

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