SATURDAY saw Owens Corning St Helens Recs hanging on for a draw at home to Sefton in a Liverpool Competition fixture sponsored by D.D.M.

Recs won the toss and asked Sefton to bat on a greenish wicket that looked as though it would help the home bowlers.

This was not the case as the Sefton batsmen led by Indian Jude Chaminda (96) set about the Recs bowling.

The home side put down several chances which aided the visitors to score at a rate of six an over for the first hour.

The introduction of youngster Mark Jenkins (1-49) and a couple of wickets from Phil Baines slowed the momentum, but Sefton were able to declare on 216-3 off 44 overs.

After tea the Recs reply was shattered as they slumped to 16-3. Stu Lyon (20) and Ian Huyton (27) briefly revived the home side.

But wickets fell regularly and looked as though defeat was the likely outcome, before a valiant effort from Steve Garvey (16 no) and Gary Morrison (25 no) put on 40 for the ninth wicket and battled through eleven overs to secure a draw. Recs finishing 128-8.

The 2nd XI also drew at Sefton, failing by six runs to reach the home side's 177-8 dec.

Mike Pilkington with a maiden 50 and Neil Chorley with four wickets were the pick for Recs.

The day's only victory came in the third team game in which Recs beat New Brighton by five wickets.

Dave Parsonage (6-27) and Mark Tatlock with a cavalier 82 took the honours.

This weekend Recs travel to Chester in a game sponsored by Brian Martindale.

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