IN their bottom of the table clash against Sefton, Rainhill surprisingly elected to bat on the wet wicket.

At 4 for 2, the Sefton seamers were using the helpful facilities wisely. Pownall (2 for 14 from 8) and Pye (2 for 29 from 12) took out the Rainhill top order.

At 21 for 4 Rainhill were in trouble but Ford (22) and Qureshi (34) brought some respectability to the score. Kelly’s 5 for 29 from 15 ended the misery and Rainhill were all out for 109 in 47 overs.

Similar to Rainhill, the Sefton batsmen also struggled on the wet wicket. At 6 for 2 their response was kept in track by the accuracy of Qureshi.

Irwin (16) and Dowrich (11) were the only top order batsmen that got into double figures and at 47 for 8 it look like an early finish.

Although Veacock bowled 5 no balls and 2 wides, his 2 for 17 from 7 was destructive. A 33 run 9th wicket partnership from Dye (13) and Pownall (17no) gave Sefton a glimmer of success but Quereshi’s line and length was relentless.

His 8 for 23 from 19 overs meant Sefton’s innings ended on 82 in 38 overs. Rainhill leap frogging Sefton and out of the relegation zone.

Sutton 2nd vs Rainhill 2nd: Sutton elected to bat but were soon in trouble by the pace of P. Morris (4 for 41 from 16).

Salleh (23) and Jordon (37) showed some resistance but Sutton were all out for 139 in 43 overs. Birkets seam had the Rainhill batsmen in trouble and at 28 for 3 it was anyone’s game.

Higham (31) stopped the rot and then Tilley (29no) and Yate (32no) saw the away team pass their target in 35 overs. Rainhill are now 2nd and in a promotion spot.