RAINFORD Cricket Club came agonisingly close to victory at Hesketh Bank as they battled to keep alive their Southport League title hopes.

The home side won the toss and invited Rainford to bat on an uneven track.

But Rainford's top order demonstrated how to take the game to the opposition. Dalrymple and Cook once again put together a half-century opening stand in only 10 overs.

Paul Calland, batting at three, used his full range of strokes for a top-notch 60.

But it was skipper St Harrison's arrival at the crease that really set the game alight.

His unbeaten 106 come in double-quick time with 98 ruins coming in boundaries.

It left Rainford in the enviable position of 236-3 declared from only 40 overs.

In reply, the name of the game for the home side was survival.

And 129-8 from 48 overs was the best they could do against a Rainford attack that deserved better.

Star man was Curran, who took 3-4, but Calland, Finney and Harrison all did enough to warrant finishing on the winning side. The second team, meanwhile, slumped to a seven-wicket defeat after scoring only 81 in the W.J. Perkins-sponsored match at home to Croston.

Sunday saw the President Day, with Rainford up against a side that included talent such as Combined Universities star David Leather, Northern League professional Neil Rimmer, Fred Howard and Mike Tarran.

The President's side totalled 186-6 in their 40 overs, with Howard, Leather N. Rimmer and S. Rimmer contributing useful runs.

All the Rainford attack came out with credit, but once again Phil Curran (four wickets) and Richard Eaton were the main dangers.

The home side's reply was led by Cook and Dalrymple. Dave Hilton, batting at five, survived an early scare, but then clubbed an entertaining 44 to earn he man of the match award.

Maddison added a cultured 39, but time ran out at184-6.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.