RAINFORD' completed a remarkable victory over Tarleton on Saturday.

Batting first, Rainford had skipper Ste Harrison to thank for the majority of their 191 total. His 96 contained a full range of strokes as the hapless Tarleton attack were despatched to all points of the compass.

Support came from Dalrymple and Calland who both shared in half-century stands and at the end Donnelly put the long handle to good use with an entertaining 20.

In reply, Tarleton's top order were simply blown away by opening bowler Schofield who took three wickets as the visitors collapsed to 20-4, but some poor bowling and sloppy fielding saw the visitors recover to the point were a shock victory was on the cards.

However, enter Paul Corden, brought on late as a change bowler, with one of the finest spells of his career.

Corden had already taken three wickets to peg back the now rampant Tarleton batsmen but with two overs to go the visitors required only seven runs to win with three wickets in hand. A suicidal run saw Corden throw down the stumps and from the last ball of the over a spectacular slip catch by Finney gave Corden figures of 4-22 and brought the last pair to the crease.

A nailbiting final over saw Schofield concede a single off his second ball but then a lofted drive enabled Campbell to take the catch that gave Schofield figures of 4-87 and bring down the curtain on a remarkable day's cricket.

The second string travelled to Mawdesley and got the better of proceedings in a drawn game.

Batting first, Rainford were soon in trouble with two wickets down and nothing on the board.

A score of 161-9 therefore represented a good fightback. Pickavance hit yet another half-century and Callagher once again showed there is no substitute for experience with a determined unbeaten 33.

Mawdesley never really got in a serious blow at the Rainford total. Callagher capped a fine all round performance taking 4-42 while Ford and Curran combined to reduce the hosts to 148-8 at the close.

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