Rainhill see off St Helens in Liverpool Competition division one

Apr 20 2009 by James Pearce, Liverpool Daily Post

RAINHILL enjoyed a dream start to life in the Liverpool Competition First Division as they secured an emphatic 107-run victory at St Helens.

Simon Cusden (52) and Mike Rotheram (67) led the way in Rainhill’s total of 200 all out off 52.4 overs.

Their progress was checked by Adam Friar, who destroyed the middle and lower order with 6-41.

In reply St Helens crashed to 34-9 and it took a last wicket stand between Paul Booth (33) and Robert Kenny (23) to boost their total to 93 all out.

Anthony Wilding (4-22), Ryan Williams (3-12) and Simon Cushden (2-6) starred with the ball for Rainhill.

Fellow new boys Burscough had to settle for a draw at home to Ainsdale.

Ben McCord (114 not out) and Mark Rawsthorne (52 not out) put on 170 in Burscough’s total of 223-2 off 53.4 overs.

Ainsdale opener Malcolm Swift replied with 95 but the match ended in stalemate with the visitors on 163-6. McCord and Richard Powell claimed two wickets apiece.

Sefton Park suffered a three-wicket defeat in a thrilling contest at home to Orrell Red Triangle.

A fine opening spell from Andrew Mercer (4-49) helped reduce Sefton to 41-5. Young debutant Sean Vandome struck 31 but at 98-8 the hosts were in real trouble before Paul Squires (83) and Gareth Cowley (28 not out) shared a 100-run stand for the ninth wicket to lift the total to 198-9 off 60.3 overs

Robbie Houghton took 4-75 but Orrell sneaked home with five balls to spare thanks to 35 not out from wicketkeeper David Naylor, who won the match with a six.

Highfield completed a comfortable five-wicket win over Leigh, who were dismissed for 128 in 42.5 overs.

Chris Liptrot was the hero as he returned stunning figures of 8-38 off 14.5 overs. The hosts reached their target in 33 overs thanks to Michael Farrell (46) and Andrew Hargreaves (34 not out).