RAINHILL got their Premier League season up and running with a close win over New Brighton at Victoria Terrace. 

New signing, former Derbyshire captain, Billy Godleman, top scored with 35 as Rainhill closed on 131 all out. Jamie Harrison then starred with the ball, taking 6-38, along with Khalid Usman's 3-53 as the visitors fell 17 runs short of the target.

Rainford are still seeking a first win since promotion but they will take the positives from a hard fought draw at Formby where the rain made a crucial intervention. Liam Gaskell took 4-55 as the hosts recovered from 55-6 to post 222-7 thanks to Ankit Sharma (89) and teenager Archie Davies' (66no) 132 run partnership for the seventh wicket. James Davies top scored with 39 but Rainford's reply was hit by a 25 minute break for a shower leaving them high and dry on 175-8 at the close. 

In Division One, Newton le Willows made it three wins out of four after a thrilling game with Sefton Park. Three wickets apiece for Ahmad Safi Abdullah (3-31), Ben Walkden (3-20) and Jack Morely (3-47) restricted the visitors to 129 all out but with wickets dropping reguarly during the reply it was left to Morley's unbeaten 54 to steer the hosts home for a one wicket win. 

Still playing catch up after their ground issues, St Helens Town lost their second game of the season at Birkenhead Park. Danny Feeney's 5-58 and Callum Hewitt's 3-45 were the highlights as Park were dimissed for 195. Jonny Hine hit 54 in reply but Town were bowled out for 157. 

Sutton's Joe Smith hit an unbeaten 102 as they declared on 222-7 in their Division Two clash with Southport Trinity. His efforts were eclipsed by Salman Ahmed who hit 150 not out as the hosts chased down the target for the loss of seven wickets. Alex Oldfield (3-54) was the pick of the bowlers.