RAINHILL'S two games over the Bank Holiday resulted in a brilliant victory against second-placed Runcorn and a hard-fought draw at Ainsdale.

The victory over Runcorn was particularly memorable as Rainhill batting first, looked deep in trouble at 110-8 with only captain Peter Woods with a dogged 46 and Mattie Dale 26 showing any resistance.

A valuable 25 from Dave Birkett gave the score respectability as Rainhill were all out for 141.

Runcorn, in reply, raced to 19 without loss and then Dave Birkett produced a devastating performance.

Bowling with pace and movement he reduced the visitors to 31-5 and victory was in Rainhill's grasp. Runcorn's professional, Harrison, was standing firm until Nick Chapman had him superbly caught at slip by Peter Mercer. Further success for Birkett and Chapman saw Runcorn reeling at 39-8.

Their brief resistance was ended when Andy Ford claimed his first wicket and Mattie Dale clean bowled the last batsmen to see Runcorn all out for only 45. Dave Birkett finishing with 6-15 and Nick Chapman 2-24. On the Saturday Rainhill inserted Ainsdale on a pitch with unpredictable bounce and the home side were up against it at 88-8.

But yet again this season Rainhill could not wrap up the tail and Ainsdale declared on an imposing 133-9.

Best of the Rainhill bowlers were Andy Lea 2-15, Nick Chapman 3-43 and Mattie Dale 2-30.

No one could have predicted the Rainhill batting collapse that was to follow as the Ainsdale professional Murphy ripped through the top order. At 11-5 Rainhill looked well beaten.

But Dave Birkett (65 balls) and Ian Blakemore (50 balls) batting for the first time this season scored 27 and 16 not out respectively to guide Rainhill to an unlikely draw on 74-9.

Rainhill second XI lost at home to Ainsdale with the hero being Andy Birkett 82 not out in the total of 139 all out. Ainsdale won by eight wickets.

On Bank Holiday Monday another super innings from Andy Birkett with 99 not out almost saw Rainhill to victory as they finished on 166-6 chasing the Runcorn total of 168-6.

This weekend Rainhill play Caldy.

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