RAINHILL CC gave reigning champions Aigburth a real run for their money at Victoria Terrace on Saturday.

The visitors won the toss and surprisingly elected to field in the scorching heat.

But Rainhill quickly slipped to 11-2. Peter Mercer and Paul Ford junior quickly moved the score past 50 before Ford was stumped for 28.

A further wicket fell to make it 69-4 and Rainhill looked up against it.

However, a fine partnership between Mercer and Steve Oakes made Aigburth toil in the sun.

The pair attacked the bowling and reached a century partnership before Mercer was caught on the boundary for a fine 82.

Oakes was bowled for a free-flowing 42 and Rainhill declared on 181-6 with maximum batting points.

In reply Aigburth also lost two early wickets to stand at 20-2. However, they began to make full use of the excellent batting strip and pushed the score to 84 before Mattie Dale had Nick Ingram (54) caught of a skyer.

Aigburth continued to attack and when they had reached 131 with 10 overs left, the match was still in the balance.

Two quick wickets for Nick Chapman and further success for Dave Birkett left Aigburth on 137-6.

Despite moving the score to 164-6 Aigburth never threatened the Rainhill total and the game ended in a draw.

Rainhill captain Paul Ford misses the next three matches as he is getting married this Saturday and all at the club wish him and Cath all the best for the future.

Meanwhile, Rainhill seconds lost at Aigburth, despite scoring an impressive 180-7 (Gary Hayner 57 and Chris Swift 39).

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.