RAINFORD are the Love Lane Liverpool Competition Division One champions after a thrilling last day of the cricket season. 

Lytham had been in pole-position at the start of play but a shock defeat to Caldy allowed Rainford to take full advantage by thrashing Sefton Park. Mark Potter's 53 helped the hosts reach a modest total of 140 all out but that proved more than enough as Liam Gaskell's hat-trick removed Park's middle order with John Dotters taking 4-18 at the other end to finish on 102 wickets for the season as the visitors were bundled out for 41. 

Rainford will pass Newton le Willows going the other way after Chris Chambers' side finished bottom of the Premier League. Saddled with a controversial 80 point penalty and already down, the disheartened hosts made only 131 all out against Formby before the visitors clinched a nine wicket win.

Rainhill finished sixth after losing to champions Wallasey in a tight affair on the Wirral. Ross Higham top scored with 62 as the visitors were bowled out 145 and Sam Kershaw (4-53) and Dan Kelly (3-30) took them close before a one wicket defeat.

St Helens Town had already been crowned Division Two champions and didn't play but they will be joined by Old Xaverians in Division One next season. 

Sutton ended the campaign in fifth after a 32 run win over Hightown. Jack York (55) and Jospeh Noctor (55) both scored half-centuries as Sutton reached 191 all out. Alex Oldfield (4-33) did the damage with the ball as Hightown were dismissed for 159.

In the Southport and District Premier League, Prescot and Odyssey finished fourth after signing off with a win over Halsall West End. Dominic D'Oliveira (89) top scored as his side made 184-8 before Kurt Sabela took 4-15 to help dismiss the hosts for 147. 

Bottom side Haydock's miserable season ended with another defeat as they lost by 172 runs to Cheshire Lines. Babu Nallusamy's 3-26 was the only highlight after Haydock were skittled for 59.