ON a day when rain was forecast, Rainhill strangely elected to bat at home to Northern.

The first four Rainhill batsmen were back in the hutch with only 25 on the board and they never recovered.

Maddock (2 for 21 from 8) and Sefton (3 for 57 from 25) were rewarded for putting the ball in the right area’s. This coupled with poor shot selection put Rainhill in trouble.

Qureshi (61) was the only batsmen able to cope with the conditions and Rainhill were bowled out for 118 in 51 overs.

After seeing the way the wicket was playing and knowing the rain was on the way gave Northern only one option when batting. Attack everything. Lucas (42), Smith (23) and Snow (23) all swung from the hip.

Qureshi reaped the rewards –but his 4 for 16 from 12 overs wasn’t backed up from the other end and Northern passed the total in 24 overs for the loss of 6 wickets, just as the rain was getting heaver.

Wigan positively elected to bat against Rainhill seconds which seemed to be a good decision at 37 without loss.

Ouwerkerk (36) and Wood (15) led the way but the accuracy of the Rainhill bowlers was relentless.

At 73 for 2 Wigan were set for a large score but collapsed. J Harvey (4 for 28 from 11) and O’Toole (4 for 39 from 11) used the wicket wisely and Wigan lost the last 8 wickets for 40 runs. Wigan were all out for 113 in 24 overs.

This gave Rainhill a chance of victory before the rain.

This they took.

Atkinson (52no) and M Harvey (25) led the way and Rainhill passed the total in 19 overs for the loss of 2 wickets.