BOTH St Helens first and second teams lost to Wallasey despite looking like winners.

The first team bowlers restricted the opposition to 132-7 with Subu Banerjee enjoying the sun, taking 3-29 and Phil Roughley 4-41.

The loss of three wickets for 13 runs in 10 overs was not the best of starts but Steve Kenny took control of the bowling and made an excellent 54 before falling to a magnificent diving catch by Bryan Strong.

The game ended with five overs to go and a frustrating 20 runs short of a win.

In the away fixture the seconds faced a total of 205-5 declared with Gary Sheppard once again taking the honours with 3-32. Good early runs came from Paul Keenaghan (55) Roger Burrows (58) and David Lowe (23) and a win appeared to be a formality, however three run outs spoiled the performance and only Alan Sheppard in the second half of the order got amongst the runs with 19. The innings came to a disappointing end at 191 all out.

It was left to the third team to bring home a win from near neighbours St Helens Recs who bowled the Windleshaw Road side out for 140 in 40 overs. S Illidge (4-28), and S Logan (5-7) were the wicket takers, the latter removing the tail in five overs. St Helens' runs came from K Boardman (64), D Massey (41) and S Twist (22). Skipper Brain Holmes led the defence with 3 for 23 with excellent support from A Cadel (2-16) and D Massey (2-27).

Two slip catches by M Finney were typical of the team's enthusiasm as Recs were 107 all out.

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