RAINHILL booked their place in the final of the Lever Cup against Cheshire Lines to leave an unprecedented second treble in two seasons still on.

Whilst the odds are firmly against this feat, Rainhill keep coming up with the goods despite poor performances and their professional Rafique who is yet to fire on all cylinders this season.

In the league leg of this treble, Rainhill faced a Skelmersdale team that they had yet to beat in the newly formed Alliance.

After losing the toss, Skelmersdale had no hesitation in batting first on a flat, slow wicket at the Recreation Ground.

With no sideways movement off the seam early on, Rainhill's bowlers settled for line and length, making it difficult to score. As pressure built, wickets fell, and Steve Jordan again benefited taking 5 wickets off his 15 overs. Jimmy Titmuss came on at the railway end to clean up the Skelmersdale tale as they finished 106 all out. Titmuss finished with 3 wickets off his 1.4 overs.

Chasing a low total, Rainhill never looked in any trouble after losing Rafique to a low one.

Both Rotheram and Titmuss took the attack to the Skem bowlers as the weather looked to be closing in.

However, as Titmuss fell for 30, Rainhill suffered a mini collapse losing the next 4 wickets for just 8 runs.

Rainhill were 60 for 5. It was left to the experience of Sparkos (25 not out) and Mercer (7 not out) to take Rainhill home with the 24 points.

With Ainsdale, Prestatyn and Wavertree all dropping points, Rainhill moved away from their nearest rivals and closer to Wavertree.

Their lead is now just 25 points.

This week, Rainhill travel to Norley Hall.