Rainford continued their recent good run with an 86 run win at Northop Hall which sees them return to the top of Med Imaging Liverpool Competition Division 1. With just two weeks to go they have a slender lead over pursuers Wigan, Highfield and second placed Formby who visit the Recreation Ground this weekend.

Rainford posted an imposing 240 for 9 declared at Northop Hall with Joe Noctor ( 47) and Saad Khan (41) setting a platform for Daron Cruickshank to boost the total with an unbeaten 102.

Wickets fell regularly in the Northop Hall reply with Ollie Jump and Stephen Birkett bagging two each and Cruickshank doing the rest with 5 for 27.

The 2nd X1 had a stunning win against league leaders Fleetwood Hesketh to re-ignite their promotion challenge and now move into third place with just two games to go. An all-round bowling performance bowled the table toppers out for 143 with Chris Spencer and Stephen Cline taking three wickets each and Ben Hemingway and Andrew Harrison claiming two apiece.

The Rainford response faltered early on but was held together by a forceful 66 not out from Ravi Mistry together with a valuable 26 from Cline to see Rainford home.