OWENS Corning St Helens Recs first and second elevens enjoyed victory over Huyton at the weekend.

The firsts at Huyton elected to field first on a damp Huyton Lane wicket. Scott Williams could, and should, have had immediate success but saw chances dropped. It gave Huyton skipper Wilkie an opportunity to score a battling 43. Williams and Freeman picked up two wickets apiece and were helped by excellent catches from Morrison and Keane. It was, however, the younger members of the Recs attack, including 16 year old Mark Potter and 18 year old debutant Matthew Aconley who were especially impressive with Potter taking 3-10 and Aconley 3-13 as Huyton were dismissed for 104.

In reply the Ruskin side made a poor start losing both Woods and overseas player Williams for only 12. Terry Keane 13, Ian Huyton 15 and Ste Bond all then made valuable contributions in partnerships which steadied the Recs innings. Veteran skipper Alan Hitchmough with 31 not out once again showed not only determination but no lack of technique on a drying wicket that made scoring increasingly difficult. Despite a short break for rain Hitchmough and Potter then saw Recs to a four-wicket victory.

The seconds also enjoyed a successful chase and victory as Huyton were dismissed for 139, Recs passing the total for the loss of seven wickets.

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