RAINFORD produced a much improved performance when travelling to league leaders Birkenhead Park narrowly failing to return home with a victory.

After declaring with a creditable 191 for 8 they had the hosts on the ropes at 94 for 9 but agonisingly failed to capture the last wicket and had to settle for a draw.

Graeme Green (34) and Joe Noctor (33) built the foundation for the innings but it was a 90 run seventh wicket stand between John Dotters (54 not out) and Ravi Mistry (49) that produced the competitive score.

The Park openers started well putting on 53 for the first wicket before Dotters, in fine form, and skipper Andy Davies took a hand. Young Dotters with 4 for 15 and Davies with 4 for 21 destroyed the home side to leave them with one wicket left and thirteen overs to go. Credit to the Park last pair for holding out as Rainford did everything they could to dislodge them, but unfortunately failed.

This was though, a heartening display from Andy Davies’ men and they will be looking forward to continuing in the same form in the forthcoming Bank Holiday double header with home fixtures against Orrell and Formby.

Rainford 2nd X1 remain one of only three sides with a 100% record in the 2nd X1 Division 2 after a thrilling two wicket win over Prestatyn. Once again it was Chris Spencer (4 for 41) and Andrew Harrison (4 for 34) who did the damage as the visitors were bundled out for 137.

The Rainford reply then stuttered to 63 for 6 before skipper Harrison took command of the game and hit an excellent 59 not out to win the game.

He received invaluable assistance from a well made 22 from Joe Bibby as the pair took Rainford inexorably towards their total.