LEAGUE leaders Rainford slumped to a rare defeat at Southport Trinity on Saturday.

The hosts batted first and rattled up 80 without loss from only 10 overs and a big score looked a formality. But the Rainford bowlers, led admirably by Harrison and Calland, showed once again their fighting qualities as they put the visitors back in to the match.

Both claimed four victims as Trinity began to lose wickets at regular intervals and were eventually all out for 210.

The Rainford reply faltered immediately with openers Cook and Harrison out cheaply. Calland started the fight back with a patient 20 but Andy Robinson was once again the backbone of the innings.

His 63 was the only innings of real substance and apart from 23 from Tully and 19 from Campbell the rest of the batsmen made no impact as Rainford were left high and dry on 168.

A weakened second team could have been forgiven for expecting the worst from visitors Southport Trinity but as things turned out they more than matched their title chasing opponents in a high scoring contest. Rainford opened the innings with father and son combination John and John Williams and it Williams Snr who fell first for a dogged 20 trying to keep pace with Williams Jnr who went on to make a cultured 47. Welding had joined Williams at the crease and following the youngsters dismissal the skipper decided to put bat to ball. What followed thrilled the large crowd as Welding bludgeoned his way to an impressive unbeaten 123 while all-rounder Davies also chipped in 35 as the home side posted a formidable 236-3. Trinity were always behind the run rate and when Schofield returned to finish with four wickets and Davies three the reply was effectively all over and Trinity were happy to hang on for a draw at 222-9.

Match ball sponsor was Councillor J A Brown.