RAINHILL travelled to the Wirral to take on the 2015 Premier League Champions New Brighton and were surprised when they were inserted on the hard white wicket.

Opening seamer Evans (2 for 32 from 9) removed both openers with the new ball but then everything went Rainhill's way.

With a quick outfield, Rainhill enjoyed the understrength Rake Lane attack and punished anything short or wide. Qureshi (51), McGladdery (45) and Kershw (44) all got starts and regretted the missed opportunity to make a big one… With two spinners on show, the home team bowled their overs quickly - DR While (5 for 45 from 15) and Nawab (3 for 66 from 23) enjoyed the bounce and turn.

From 172 for 5, Rainhill were all out for 197 in 60 overs (before the scheduled tea time). After initial assessment of the wicket and outfield, Rainhill thought this was 100 short of a decent total.

With maybe 60 overs to play with, the home team didn’t show any application.

The slow left arm of Qureshi and the fast seam and swing from Williams complemented each other nicely. Hussain (16) was the highest scorer for New Brighton and they collapsed to 112 in 35 overs. Williams taking 4 for 51 from 15 and Qureshi 6 for 48 off 18.

Rainhill seconds allowed the Springview visitors to have first use of the track which was justified when the visitors were reduced to 38 for 4. O’Toole (3 for 47 off 13) and Bromhead (4 for 44 from 16) were rewarded for putting the ball in the right areas but a fightback from Mulvey (48), and Wilkinson (35) allowed Springview to get to 152 from 46 overs.

Rainhill's chase was poor and wasn’t helped by a couple of needless run-outs. Yate (20) shown some fight but Rainhill were all out for 87 in 41 overs. Green being the pick of the bowlers taking 4 for 47 from 19.

Rainhill 3s vs Fleetwood Hesketh 3s.

Rainhill confidently elected to bat couldn’t handle the opening spell of bowling from Thaw (3 for 5 from 6 overs) and Bowden (2 for 16 from 6) and were reduced to 34 for 6.

A fightback from Jones (20) and Kandiah (28) helped the cause but they weren’t supported by the tail. Fleetwood used 9 bowlers and Rainhill were all out for 92 in 30 overs.

T Norbury (20) and D Norbury (18) started the chase well and at 50 for 2, Fleetwood were coasting.

Parto was introduced and his 5 for 18 from 7 overs created nerves in the away team dressing room. Wickets continued to fall and at 82 for 9, it was anyone's game. Unfortunately for Rainhill the last pair held on and Fleetwood passed the target in 23 overs.