RAINFORD had a bank holiday weekend to forget with a 39 run loss to Orrell followed by abandonment due to rain against Formby.

On Saturday there were two wickets each for Ollie Jump, Daron Cruickshank and John Dotters as Orrell compiled 194 for 7 declared.

The Rainford reply reached a promising 80 for 1 until Matt Bailey was stumped for 23. Disaster then struck losing three more wickets for just two runs to leave Orrell in the ascendancy with Rainford on 83 for 5.

Joe Noctor continued to make 68 and despite resistance from Jump and new wicket keeper James Seward the response ended on 155.

Rainford 2nd X1 had mixed fortunes, losing to St Helens Town on Saturday before achieving an excellent win at Old Xavarains on Monday.

Half centuries from Matt Campbell and Justin Dalrymple saw Rainford declare on 189 for 9 at St Helens before the home side, powered by Richard Conlan’s 110 not out, reached the total for the loss of just two wickets.

After a patient wait for the rain to stop in South Liverpool on Monday, Rainford were put in by Old Xavarians and a well made century from Mark Brook (100 not out) and 45 from Stuart Benzies enabled a declaration at 157 for 1.

The home side made steady progress but were pegged back by tight bowling from Joe Bibby (3 for 32) and a good spell from Andrew Harrison (6 for 62).

Old Xavarians reached the last four overs needing 12 to win with three wickets left before a stunning catch from Oliver Lawrenson put Rainford back in the game.

Harrison bagged another before the final over arrived with five runs needed to win and one wicket to fall. The skipper duly got full reward for his sporting declaration by trapping Sean Stamper LBW with four balls remaining.