ST HELENS Recs gained revenge for their early season defeat at the hands of league newcomers Maghull on Saturday.

Winning the toss, Recs elected to bat first and started well. Wood (44) and Keane (42) pushed the score along at a brisk rate but when they were dismissed the middle order suffered a collapse.

Recs recovered with Faul (39) and Potter (24 not out) which allowed captain Morrison to declare on 200-9 from only 49 overs.

In reply Maghull struggled against the pace of Garvey who finished with 3-8 off five overs but it was the spin partnership of Freeman and Potter who did the damage. Freeman finished with 4-30 off 16 overs and Potter 3-36 off seven overs as Maghull slumped to 130 all out.

At Ruskin Drive the Second XI were locked in a dour affair against Leigh. Batting first Recs got off to a good start on a difficult pitch. Sheeran top scored with 32 and shared a good partnership with Lyon (22) which took the score to 82-3 off 34 overs. Recs then collapsed before Galbraith, who finished with 20 not out, which steadied the innings as Recs reached 129 all out of 57 overs.

In reply Leigh never chased the game as Howden (2-45 off 13 overs) and Gregson (2-25 off 8 overs) tied the batsmen down. Leigh eventually finished on 108-6 off 32 overs to draw the game.

The Third SH XI played hosts to Ormskirk in a game which started late because of a damp pitch. Recs were asked to bat first and lost a wicket early on but Riley and Hughes produced some fine batting putting on 102 for the second wicket.

Riley was dismissed for 61 as the score reached 128 and Hughes went on to make 49 as Recs declared with the score on 160-6 off 41 overs.

In reply Ormskirk were always in trouble as Mike Burrows (2-18 off eight overs) removed the first two batsmen. Then the spin of Stocks took over as he claimed 4-11 off 10 overs. Parsonage (3-6 off 5 overs) then wrapped up the taile as Ormskirk were 66 all out.

The Third DG travelled to Oxton and batted first. Losing three quick wickets Recs looked in trouble at 28-3 but Gibson played a captain's innings and was ably supported by Healey. Batting superbly Healey was eventually out for his maiden senior half century but only after he and Gibson had put on 102 to take the score to 130. Gibson stayed at the crease eventually falling for a marvellous 90 which allowed Recs to declare on 190-8 from 45 overs. In reply Oxton never looked in the hunt as Leonard (2-49 off 13 overs) and Wills (3-32 off 12.2 overs) took wickets at regular intervals but it was the spin of Davies (4-22 off 12 overs) who ripped the heart out of the home side. In a tense finish it was left to Wills to rip out the middle stumps of the last batsman leaving Oxton 127 all out with only eight deliveries left in the game.

On Sunday the Recs Third XI played hosts to Leigh in the second round of the Embee knockout trophy. Recs were asked to bat first and got off to a steady start with Riley and Gibson (20) taking the score to 30 without loss. Both went in quick succession which brought Ian Orford and Logan together at the crease, batting sensibly they slowly increased the run rate and almost reached a hundred partnership before Logan was cruelly run out for a fine 49.

Captain Chorley came to the wicket and along with Orford took the bowling apart, scoring 67 off the last six overs Chorley reached 28 not out but it was the impressive batting of Orford who was left on 52 not out which ensured Recs reached 200-5 off the allotted 40 overs. In reply Leigh started well but the Recs fielders were in superb form restricting the batsmen from picking up the singles. Davies bowled an excellent spell of spin with a short boundary looming recording figures of 1-29 off 8 overs but it was the spin of Dunbar at the other end which did the damage finishing with figures of 4 for 29 off 8 overs. This, combined with two run outs from Logan, ensured Leigh were never in with a shout and they eventually finished on 127 for 9 as Recs cruised into the quarter finals.

This week the First XI are at home to Bolton, the ball being sponsored by D C Cook.

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