Rainford lost a competitive encounter at Highfield by three wickets in the second series of Ray Digman Cup group games. Batting first they posted 187 for 7 with contributions from Mark Brook (25) Joe Noctor (39) Stuart Benzies (39) and Ollie Jump (31). Noctor and Jump put on 54 for the fifth wicket to boost the total which ultimately needed someone to go on and make a big score.

Michael Farrell did just that for the home side, hitting 64 as they reached their target with four overs to spare. John Dotters was the pick of the Rainford attack claiming 3 for 32 with Ravi Mistry bagging 2 for 10.

With all four teams in Group 8 having won one game each, it is still all to play for in the final game on Monday 6 May when Rainford travel to Wigan.

The 2nd X1 suffered a comprehensive loss in the reverse fixture at the Jubilee Recreation Ground as Highfield rattled up 301 for 7, Sam Welsby and Jim Ashton both scoring 66 and Steven Cline taking 3 for 55. Only skipper Andrew Harrison made any impact with 24 as Rainford were bowled out for 116.

It was left to Joe Noctor’s Rainford 3rd X1 on the Sunday to prevent a Highfield whitewash in the Liverpool Competition 3rd X1 Premier Division and they did just that in fine style. An excellent display of batting from Steven Cline (53), Chris Spencer (38) and Joe Bibby (31) saw off a highly rated young Highfield attack to take the home side to 207 for 5 declared.

In the second half, paceman Andrew Johnson did the early damage picking up two wickets before Spencer took command of the game taking 5 for 15, helped by some quick glove work behind the stumps, to leave the visitors rocking. Luke Wellens sealed the win by bagging the final wicket to continue the thirds promising start to the season.