RAINFORD Cricket Club's first XI tasted defeat for the first time this season when they went down in a one-sided affair at Eccleston.

The Doctor's Lane outfit amassed 203-7 from their allotted overs, largely due to a woeful fielding display with at least nine catches being put down. In addition to this Rainford suffered a huge body blow when inspirational skipper Ste Harrison suffered a hamstring injury.

On the positive side opening bowler Phil Corden once again bowled superbly taking 4-39 while Paul Calland did well to hold four difficult catches.

In reply, Rainford never got in a serious blow at the Eccleston total. Dalrymple batted well early on and Hilton once again showed he is one for the future by top scoring with 30. At the end Harrison bravely hobbled out and treated the large crowd to a cameo innings but it was too little too late as Rainford folded to 140 all out. The Second XI fared much better at home against their Eccleston counterparts. Batting first, Rainford's skipper John Williams went for a first ball duck and the rest of the top order struggled likewise as the homesters were rattled at 35-4. However, Ian Donnelly joined veteran Pickavance at the crease to treat the crowd to every shot in the book. Donnelly eventually departed for a well struck 76 to leave Rainford on a comfortable 176.

The home side's bowlers soon had Eccleston in all sorts of trouble, Donnelly taking three wickets to cap a splendid all round performance and comeback king Tony Ford grabbing three more. All that was left was for Eaton and Welding to polish off the tail to humble the visitors for a paltry 103 all out.

Match ball sponsor was Ted Cook (Guild Hall Farm).

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