RAINHILL’S Liverpool Competition Premier League campaign got off to losing start following an extraordinary game against Southport and Birkdale.

Rainhill skipper Ben Edmundson scored an unbeaten 100 and Tyler McGladdery 82 to set an imposing 249 for five, but in reply, JJ Fielding scored 135 and Jonny Whitehead 111 to earn the visitors a nine wicket victory.

Newton le Willows enjoyed an opening day win at Birkenhead Park after Lancashire’s Jack Morley took six for 65 to restrict the hosts to 215. Ben Walkden (94no) and Alex Lyon (52) led the successful run chase in a five wicket win.

In Division One, Rainford’s Jason Login hit an unbeaten 62 to earn his side a five-wicket win over Ainsdale. Skipper John Dotters had earlier taken five for 45 to restrict the target to 210.

Division Two saw St Helens Town’s Sharen Rajendran bowled the best spell of the day as he finished with figures of seven for six to dismiss Wavertree for just 79 in an eight wicket win.

Sutton’s Joe Noctor scored 77 as his side reached 183 all out against Norley Hall who were dismissed for 105 with Alex Oldfield taking four for 45.

In the Southport and District Premier League, Haydock’s Edmund Hurst (50) and Karl Pennington (51no) helped set a target of 139 to win for Prescott and Odyssey for whom Cris Toms took five for 14. Kurt Sabela (73no) wrapped up a two wicket win.