Best of the year for Rainford (From St Helens Star)

Best of the year for Rainford

11:02am Thursday 2nd July 2009

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RAINFORD reached the half way point of their campaign in Liverpool Competition Division 1 with their best performance of the season.

After a number of indifferent displays they completely outplayed Sefton Park to triumph by 140 runs.

After electing to bat and the loss of an early wicket, Dave Tully (26) and Chris Tonge (25) built a platform for the middle order to capitalise on, and this they did in style.

Tom Meredith cut loose with a superb 67, including five sixes, and Pravin Tambe continued his good form with the bat with 97 not out.

Tony Filson blasted a quick fire 22 not out to enable a declaration on 246 for 4 at the tea interval.

Chris Tonge then produced a devastating opening spell trapping Chris Bellis leg before wicket with the score on 25 and dismissing Sean Vandome just four runs later to leave Park in disarray at 29 for 2.

Wickets then fell at regular intervals as Tambe, helped by much improved fielding and catching, took full control capturing 6 wickets for 34 runs as the visitors were dismissed for 106.

Skipper Mark Williams was delighted with the win but conscious that his team have been below par up to now.

“We needed that” he said, “but we also need to build on this in the second half of the season.

“Fortunately all the lads are now back from college and we can prepare for games as a unit, which will be a big help.”

Rainford 2nd X1 were involved in a thriller at Maritime with the game eventually ending in a tie.

Phil Corden (3 for 37) and David Fillingham (3 for 26) rocked the seafarers to dismiss them for 82.

Mark Brook (39) set sail for Rainford but they quickly ran aground against the spin of Nirender Ajay who took 7 for 17 as, amidst high drama, Phil Curran’s men dropped anchor with the scores level on 82.

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