RAINHILL suffered a humiliating defeat on Saturday after drawing the opening three games of the season.

Captain Paul Ford won the toss against league newcomers Whitefield and elected to field on what appeared to be a very doubtful wicket.

Rainhill failed to take advantage of the poor wicket and Whitefield made a total of 109 all out.

On many grounds this total should have presented no problems but on this wicket any score over 50 was a challenge.

Best of the Rainhill bowlers were Ian Blakemore (3-7), Peter Mercer (3-13), Paul Ford Jnr (2-29) and David Bolton (2-32).

The Whitefield bowlers used the wicket with far greater skill, as Mercer fell in the first over to a flyer and Paul Ford (Jnr) was soon out to a grubber as Rainhill faltered to 14-4.

Only David Bolton with 29 and Steve Oakes (12) reached double figures as Rainhill crashed to 68 all out.

Rainhill seconds enjoyed a first win of the season at home to Whitefield.

A splendid opening partnership between Steve Toghill 59 and Dave Hawkins 53 was the platform for a solid total of 184-6.

Captain Phil Atherton used his bowling well to skittle the visitors for just 64. Peter Swift took 4-14.

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