A THRILLING finish in the Liverpool Competition Under 21s Final led to St Helens Town edging home against Rainhill at Orrell.

Captain Jim Davies (43) continued his form with a mature innings as Town opened the batting.

He hammered Rainhill’s first XI bowlers Ryan Williams and Phil Veacock to all parts of the ground.

Supported by his brother Josh (24), the Davies’s kept the run rate at six per over.

D Gaskell (25) maintained momentum as Town reached 123 for 5 off 20 overs despite good fielding by Rainhill, who started well in reply.

At 84 for 3 off 10 overs they looked well in command, needing only 49 runs from the last 10 overs.

It was at that stage that Town’s experience put pressure on the Rainhill side.

Two magnificent run-outs came from Mike Stark, throwing powerfully from the long boundary to dismiss middle order batsmen Hayes and Higham.

Despite Jim Davies taking vital catches, and Town’s bowlers Williams and Gaskell applying the brakes, Rainhill still had a great chance to win when needing 15 off 12 balls.

Saints turned to quick bowlers Phil Murgatroyd and Jim Davies, with the skipper’s 19th over costing fseven runs leaving Rainhill needing five to win with eight wickets. down.

But a great last over by Murgatroyd restricted the chase, resulting in Town winning by three runs.