RAINFORD Cricket Club had a winless opening weekend, serving as a reminder if one was needed, that life in the top flight of the Liverpool Gin Liverpool Competition ECB Premier League will be a challenge.

The Saturday league encounter against Bootle ended in an 80 run loss after the visitors had posted 190 for 8 declared. John Dotters (3 for 50) with Dan Houghton and Reece Kelly picking up two wickets each. A steady reply led by skipper David Snellgrove (32) and Comrey Edgeworth (20) saw the score reach a hopeful 109 for 5 before the last five wickets fell for just one run.

Sunday saw a trip to Chester Boughton Hall in the ECB National Knockout Competition and a much improved all-round performance that saw a decent batting display and an excellent fight-back with the ball that only just failed. Matt Bailey (37) Paul Farrar (31) David Snellgrove (32) and John Dotters (27) helped to post a competitive total of 182.

In reply the Boughton Hall openers were in complete control reaching 126 before the first wicket fell, to Ehren Agarwal, who went on to finish an excellent spell, taking 3 for 35. Three more wickets fell in quick succession as the overs were counted down before the Cheshire outfit won by 6 wickets in the penultimate over.

Meanwhile the second eleven had an eventful trip to Colwyn Bay, ultimately losing by 21 runs after bowling the home side out for 72. (Andrew Harrison 4-11, Mark Farrar 3-21, Ian Fenney 2-21).