RAINHILL CC, with two games over the Bank Holiday weekend, gained their first victory of the season at Cheshire Lines and drew at home to Aigburth.

On the Saturday the home side elected to bat and it was in form Dave Birkett who gave Rainhill the upper hand. In a spell of 15 overs he took 6-30 including four wickets in 13 balls to reduce Cheshire Lines to 78-6. Once again Rainhill struggled to capture the last few wickets and the home side declared on 163-8.

In reply Rainhill lost a wicket at 21-1 but an excellent partnership between Peter Mercer and Mike Rotherham moved the score past the hundred. Mercer was run out for 45 but Rotherham continued to bat with maturity to register his maiden 50 for the first team. Good support from Andy Lewis 14 not out and Rotherham 57 not out gave Rainhill victory with two overs to spare on 165-4.

On the Bank Holiday Monday Aigburth batted first and two wickets for Dave Birkett and one from Mattie Dale had the visitors reeling at 28-3. A rapid 48 from Hacket pushed the score to 86 in only 16 overs before wickets began to fall again. Good spin bowling from Ian Blakemore and further success from Birkett saw Aigburth all out for 164. Ian Blakemore 4-44, Dave Birkett 4-45 and Mattie Dale 2-46.

In response Rainhill stumbled to 12-3 and never came to terms with the required scoring rate. Peter Mercer with 61 not out and Dominic Sparkes 23 allowed Rainhill to finish on 100-4.

Rainhill 2nd XI were all out for 67 away at Aigburth and although the home side won they gained six wickets in defeat.

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