RAINFORD'S batsmen brought a rare ray of sunshine to another dreary June day in Saturday's clash against Barry Wood's table toppers, Haydock.

Batting first in a rain-affected game, Rainford's in-form opener, Dalrymple, dominated from the off with a typically hard hitting 82.

Dalrymple's dismissal brought little respite for the Haydock attack as Paul Calland stroked a classy 51 to leave the home side in the enviable position of 168-4 dec from only 29 overs.

In reply the 'Yickers' crawled to 50-4 in the face of some hostile bowling from Finney and the impressive Schofield who continued his fine form of late with 2-23, as Rainford announced their arrival in the title race.

Match ball sponsor was J E Cook (Butchers) Ltd.

The second team scored a decisive win against bitter rivals Skelmersdale.

Skem took first use of the wicket and under constant pressure from a deadly Rainford attack managed to scrape 132 from their 50 overs.

Veteran Gallagher claimed four wickets while Welding earned his spurs with three more while Fogarty, Rose and Ford never took a backward step in the field.

Despite the presence of a hostile crowd Rainford cruised to a six-wicket success.

A half-century stand from openers Williams and Sebestian laid the foundations and the good work was carried on by Welding, Curran and Pickavance as the Skem bowling proved as equally ineffective as their batting.

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