Newton made the short trip to Rainhill on Saturday and registered their second win on the bounce as they returned with a narrow 2-wicket win in a low scoring game.

Rainhill won the toss and elected to bat first and were soon in trouble at the hands of Newton’s strong bowling attack and they continued to lose wickets on a regular basis with only Brown offering any real resistance as he top scored with 27.

After 50 overs the hosts were all out for just 104 as Sam Stanier 3 for 28 and Danny Barlow 3 for17 inflicted most damage.

Newton’s reply started dismally and they found themselves losing three wickets whilst scoring just one run and at tea they were 13 for 3!

However Steve Appleton with 31 and skipper Mark Wilkie with 34 repaired the damage but when Wilkie was dismissed with the total on 85 for 8 the result could have gone either way.

Fortunately for Newton John Humphreys and 17 year-old Liam Jenkins batted very sensibly to take Newton to a deserved win which saw them move up to 4th in the league table.

Newton le Willows 2nd XI v Northern 2nd XI.

Newton’s second string competed well at Crow Lane on Saturday but in the end had little to show for their efforts.

After wining the toss Newton bowled first and had their visitors in trouble at 34 for 4 but an excellent 111 partnership for the 5th wicket saw Northern out of trouble and they eventually declared at 177 for 9. Newton’s captain Mark Warburton was the most successful bowler finishing with 4 for 34 off 17 overs.

Newton’s reply started reasonably well as Birchall and Horsfield scored 49 runs before Birchall was out for 13.Wickets then fell on a regular basis and despite valiant efforts from Horsfield (41) Spedding (18) and 16 from Warburton Newton were eventually dismissed for a total of 135 to lose by 42 runs Orrell Red Triangle 3rd XI v Newton le Willows 3rd XI.

Far too many catches were spilled by Newton’s young 3rd team and this cost them dearly as Orrell recovered from a bat start to be able to declare on 227 for 8.

Newton’s most successful bowler was Elliott Long who took 3 for 15 and it was Long who shared the batting “honours for Newton” with Liam Jenkins as Long protected his wicket very patiently making an undefeated 20 in one and a half hours after he arrived at the middle with his side in desperate trouble at 18 for 4.

Meanwhile Jenkins batted superbly for his 61 to secure a drawn game.