OWENS Corning St Helens Recs clinched a thrilling Echo Cup victory against last year's finalists Sefton.

Batting first Recs made a good start through overseas player Scott Williams and skipper Alan Hitchmough and after 10 overs were 58 without loss despite a good spell from Sefton's own overseas player Darren Smith. However, with the loss of Hitchmough (16) and Williams (43) the Recs innings fell away with both the visitors slow left arm bowlers Houghton and Parker picking up wickets as the Ruskin side ended on 99-9 from their 20 overs.

In reply Seftons opening pair of former Recs players Heyes and Wilson attempted to score quickly in singles but were restrained by the accuracy and movement of Williams and then Freeman.

Within the fourth over both Wilson (5) and Heyes (13) had been removed, Wilson being run out while Heyes fell to a good Stuart Lyon catch from the bowling of Williams.

Chaminda and Smith replaced the dismissed batsmen and for a time caused the home side some concern as they added 36 before another excellent piece of fielding had Smith run out.

The re-introduction of Williams ended Chamindas innings on 21 but Richie Bann kept Seftons hopes alive and with a six and a four before Ian Huyton took a well judged catch in the outfield.

Valiantly though the visitors tried the Recs bowling and fielding was up to the task and the final over arrived with 12 runs needed. Trusted with the responsibility of bowling it, Stephen Garvey kept the runs and Recs recorded a well deserved eight run victory.

On Saturday Steve Illidges third eleven also triumphed this time against visitors Bootle in a rain affected game.

Gill with 47, Carter with 44 and Westhead with 25 all contributed to the Bootle cause while Frank Kilmurray (2-32) and Alan Davies (2-20) bowled well for the Recs as the visitors made a sporting declaration on 160-6.

Ste Wood and Mike Sheeran got Recs off to an excellent start, adding 61 for the first wicket before Sheeran fell for 21. Woods was joined by Ian Orford and both men continued in positive mode until Woods was lbw for 39. Under 18s player Orford then proceeded to produce a knock of quality and maturity, using his feet to the spinners, picking off singles and despatching the ball when required to with some fine authentic cricket strokes, before he was caught and bowled by Snelgrove, just one short of a half century.

Craig Jones gave the innings momentum hitting 13 from one over and with 6 needed from the final over the Ruskin men scrambled to a five wicket victory although credit must go to visitors Bootle for the sporting declaration which made such an exciting game possible despite the dank conditions.

The under 18 side have met with considerable success so far this season and on Tuesday reached the Wigan and Districk KO Cup Final with an emphatic win over Newton le Willows. Neil Hull (72) and Steve Martindale (43) were Newton's destroyers with the bat as Recs reached 153-7. Mike Pilkington with 2-14 and Martindale with 3-30 then bowled Recs to an 89 run victory. On Thursday the same side recorded an equally emphatic win over Haydock after the visitors had reached 108-3, Jordan scoring 58 not out and Mike Sheeran taking 2-5.

Hull (53) and Martindale (38) were once again in form as the Ruskin side passed the total for the loss of only three wickets in the 17th over. Fine performances by Briers 49 not out and Leonard 48 not out saw the U13 side total 145-2 against West Leigh.

In reply West Leigh could only muster 37 as Ford with 2-7 and Leonard with 2-6 ensured an easy Recs victory.

Schoolboy Neil Hull managed to achieve something which has arguably not been done in living memory by hitting, and stopping, the Ruskin pavilion clock. The last person acknowledged to have hit the clock was England cricketer John Crawley's grandfather, who was presented with a gold watch for the feat.

This week Recs entertain Bolton in a match sponsored by Cowley School.

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