BILLINGE CC travelled to the home of champions-elect St John's on Sunday inflicted only the third league defeat of the seasonon them.

On winning the toss, the hosts elected to field, but were soon being made to regret the decision as Andy Lyon ripped into the opening bowlers, with 38.

After the loss of both openers in quick succession, Billinge began to struggle to hit runs, except for a fast an furious 14 by Mike Mousdell and the usual steady and masterful knock by Carl Stockley of 16 not out, but he ran out of partners as the Billinge tail end batsmen gave their wickets away cheaply. Credit though must go to the St Johns bowlers who tied down the Billinge attack with some fine bowling, especially Stuart Cooper 3-11 and Ste Parkinson 2-19.

When St Johns came out to bat, they were full of confidence but this was soon to be proved misplaced as the Billinge attack held them down, making them work for every run with Chris O'Neil giving a brilliant display of swing bowling. But while every Billinge bowler performed brilliantly, St Johns simply had no answer and quite frankly at times, did not want to try and answer the powerful and hostile bowling of the young, raw, but highly promising bowler Mike Grime who ran in strongly all afternoon and repaid the faith his captain Carl Stockley has in him.

Only Mark Roscoe with 28 showed any resistance, but it has to be said that he scored his runs, during the time that Mike Grime was being rested, and it was perhaps apt that he became his final scalp.

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