ST HELENS earned a much-needed win against Orrell Red Triangle thanks to Adam Friar turning on his best bowling of the season to take 7-50.

Orrell invited St Helens to bat and once again early wickets were lost with Roughley and Horabin back in the pavilion with only 24 on the board. This week it was Neil Hull (33) who partnered Bappa Mukherjee (55) to rebuild the innings and push the score along to 119-6.

Adam Friar (14) and captain Neil Woods (45) put together a nice partnership at the end of the innings and a declaration at 193-8 left Orrell with a difficult task off 50 overs. St Helens' young pace attack of Bobby Kenny and Daniel Massie bowled well without reward except for a smart stop and run out by Ian Mackus at short leg. As soon as Neil Woods turned to his spinners, however, the game changed dramatically and wickets fell regularly until only David Leather (41) looked likely to win the game for Orrell.

At 119 for 6 a tremendous straight drive was held by Bappa Mukherjee (1-33) to remove Leather and in effect end Orrell's resistance. Adam Friar took the last three wickets for two runs with 10 overs still to spare.

The second team, escaped with a draw at Orrell after the home side scored 178-8 in 52 overs. Ian McCabe was the best of the bowlers with four wickets. St Helens hung on by their fingertips at 48-9.

This weekend the Saturday game features the second team against Hightown while on Bank Holiday Monday the first team entertain Worsley in a match that could decide the promotion battle.

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