ST HELENS served up another cliffhanger of a game against Northern on Saturday.

Ian Mackus led the batting with a fighting 61 assisted by Craig Horabin (25) and Darren Tyms (24) to enable a declaration at 184 for 8.

Northern went for the runs in fine style but as usual Phil Roughley bowled a tight spell to earn 4-45.

Northern always looked in control and with two overs to go needed 11 runs to win with their professional Justin Rennie on 71 and two wickets in hand.

Adam Friar (4-88) had borne the brunt of the run chase but held his nerve to take two wickets in two balls thanks to a marvellous catch on the boundary by Daniel Massey and a superb stumping by captain Neil Woods to win the game.

The second team scored 141 all out at Northern with David Lowe and Chris Carlisle scoring 38 each. Northern passed the total for the loss of one wicket.

Earlier in the week the under 15 game against Haydock was a classic.

By their own high standards St Helens did not bat well with only John Lester (18) in the top order making runs.

A late recovery by Phil Mitchell (23) and Paul Booth (8 not out) gave the innings a respectable look at 72 for 8, with Goldthorpe, Tinsley and Bibby taking two wickets each for the visitors.

On the resumption St Helens bowling and fielding were excellent and after a good opening spell by Gareth Dawson (2-8) the spin twins Shaylin Naidoo (3-20) and Paul Booth (2-10) took over to frustrate the middle order batsmen.

Even so with two overs remaining and nine runs needed to win, the odds were still in favour of Haydock but John Lester (1-19) took his only wicket of the night to dismiss the dangerous Ormiston (27) and win a match which neither side deserved to lose.

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