RAINHILL produced a much improved performance against in-form Old Parkonians at Victoria Terrace.

Batting first, Rainhill moved from 31-2 to 76-3 before Peter Woods was out for a fine 39.

Mike Rotherham and Paul Ford (jnr) stroked the ball around with good control to pass the hundred mark before Rotherham was run out for a cultured 43.

The innings was given good momentum by Ford (jnr) and Mattie Clifford who dominated the Parkonians attack. Their excellent partnership took the total to 189 before Clifford was also run out for a quickfire 44.

Paul Ford (jnr) was not out with 43 as Rainhill declared on 191-5 with maximum batting points.

Old Parkonians made a steady start before Dave Birkett cleaned bowled the opening batsmen with the total on 36.

Birkett gained two more wickets to reduce the visitors to 83-3 as the last 20 overs began.

David Bolton, with his first wicket, made it 98-4 and Birkett claimed his five-wicket haul to leave Parkonians on 107-6.

Rainhill suffered a couple of dropped catches before David Bolton returning to the attack claimed three quick wickets to leave Parkonians on 155-9. With 12 balls at the last pair Rainhill should have had the victory they deserved but a run out was missed and Parkonians closed on 156-9.

Dave Birkett made fine bowling figures of 5-37 and David Bolton 4-24.

Rainhill 2nd XI lost away to Parkonians.

Batting first Rainhill posted 155-6 with Steve Toghill hitting 67 and Luke Tunstall 47.

In reply the home side secured victory with 156-4.

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