PHIL Roughley's 53 not out in 16 overs against Huyton on Saturday may well have been the innings which puts St Helens in the Premier Division next season.

But the efforts of all the team, spectators, and particularly groundsman Ken Jordan to make the pitch fit for play were equally important.

A delayed start was followed after two overs with torrential rain which drove the players back into the pavilion with Huyton on 11-1 and further play in serious doubt. While Huyton enjoyed an early tea, an army of workers attacked the pitch, cleared the water to the umpires' satisfaction, and more than two hours later the visitors resumed their innings, losing nine wickets in compiling 100 runs in 34 overs before a sporting declaration left St Helens with 22 overs to obtain a result.

On the resumption St Helens lost Gareth Davies (7) early in the chase for runs, but with Roughley anchoring the innings at one end and Banerjee (25) and Mackus (19) giving him excellent support at the other, the total gradually crept up until with the scores tied and Roughley on 47 a final six into Bishop Road playing fields gave him a well deserved 53 and St Helens victory with five overs to spare.

The second team playing at Huyton drew an exciting game in which Huyton needed 10 to win off the last over with the last man at the wicket.

The third team continued their march to the top of the league by beating Hightown at home but need to win both games next weekend to make sure of first place.

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