Rainhill travelled to ECB Premier league leaders Ormskirk and were inserted after the delayed start.

The Ormskirk seamers made use of the green damp wicket and Rainhill lost wickets at regular intervals.

Caunce (3 for 32 from 13), Hurt (1 for 9 from 5) and Barnes (1 for 23 from 7) wiped out the top order and then spinners Currency and Farrell took over. Qureshi (28), Edmundson (35) and Lydon (24) got starts but failed to go on to make big scores. Rainhill were all out for 138 in 50 overs.

Currency finishing with 3 for 35 from 14.

Ormskirk’s reply was aggressive. With such a low score to defend it was hard to keep the run rate down. Armstrong (42) and Robinson (28) led the way and despite Qureshi’s 3 for 51 from 15, Ormskirk passed the total in 30 overs for the loss of fourwickets and remain on top of the league.

Rainhill 2nd vs Highfield 2nd.

Rainhill were inserted and the openers laid down the foundation for a big score. Hurst (59) and Ryan (68) put on 117 for the 1st wicket. Hargreaves (4 for 62 from 17) and Jenks (3 for 46 from 16) pegged back the run rate and Rainhill declared on 201 for 7 from 49 overs.

Atkinson (39) and Ashton (32) led the run chase but when Highfield lost a couple of wickets they made sure they weren’t going to lose. They finished on 106 for 4 in 30 overs. Bullock taking 3 for 47 from 14.

Rainhill 3rd vs Northop Hall 3rd.

Rainhill let Northop have first use of the wicket and opener Rimmington scored an aggressive 136 from 72 balls. He was supported by Alke (55) and Hogeson (37) which allowed Northop to declare on 289 for 7 in 39 overs. Appleton (3 for 78) and Saha (2 for 61) being the best of the home team bowling. In response Fitzhenry (37), Saha (35) and Kavanagh (29) got going but never threatened to get close. Rainhill finished on 159 for 6 in 46 overs and a drawn game.