ST HELENS and St Helens Recs had to settle for a share of the spoils in a dramatic derby clash at Windleshaw Road.

St Helens batted first and Victor Faul, playing his last game before returning to South Africa, made the early break through by bowling Darren Tyms for four.

Roughley (45) and Burrows (38) steadied the ship but the loss of Mukherjee for 10 and Kenny for five swung the game towards the visitors.

But a productive partnership between Mackus (45) and Friar (28 not out) enabled St Helens to declare after 50 overs at 193-8. Steve Garvey was the main wicket taker for the Recs with 5-66.

In reply Recs lost early wickets but there was a recovery by Lyon (49) and Faul (35) and while these two were at the wicket the game looked finely poised.

When both men were dismissed Recs' later batsmen struggled and it was left to the last pair, Morrison and Ford, to bat out the last seven overs as Recs could only reach 166-9 to scrape home for the draw.

Meanwhile, St Helens second team travelled to Fleetwood Hesketh and won an exciting game in the penultimate over. St Helens gave the home side first use of the wicket and seemed to have lost their way at 99-1. The introduction of spinners Ian Davies (6-50) and Ste Fell (3-43) saved the day and the innings ended at 175.

St Helens batsmen got away to a cracking start at four runs an over and Ian Lawless (24) and Daniel Massey (19) kept the score moving.

A good partnership between Barry Jordan (24 not out) and Shaun Twist (35 not out) won the game with nine balls to spare. The Third Team were also among the runs at New Brighton with Paul Booth (37) Ali Cadel (100 not out) and Neil Owen (27 not out) enabling a declaration to be made at 201-4. Surprisingly New Brighton won the game on 203-2 with Paul Booth and Neil Owen taking the only wickets to fall.

Next week the second team entertain Northern at Windleshaw Road followed by a Third team fixture against the same club on Sunday.

Elsewhere, Recs' second team also played a derby game at home to Newton.

Recs batted first which looked to be the wrong decision as wickets tumbled leaving Recs on a precarious 45-6 off 27 overs.

This brought together Logan and stand-in captain Gregson who smashed the bowlers to all parts of the ground putting on a 119 partnership in only 21 overs. Logan finished on 47 not out and Gregson 66 not out as Recs declared on 164-6 off 48 overs.

In reply the Recs bowlers looked ragged as the Newton batsmen enjoyed themselves, in particular Barlow who dismissed all the bowling. Newton never looked in any trouble and with Barlow finishing on a fine 110 not out Newton passed the score reaching 165-5 off 37.2 overs.

Recs' 3rd SH XI played hosts to Widnes Birchfield and produced another fine display of bowling.

Batting first, the visitors could not cope with the pace of Mike Burrows and the accuracy of Chorley (2-12 off 12 overs) as wickets fell at regular intervals.

The spin of Bellamy (2-42 off 12 overs) also posed problems but it was Burrows who ripped through the lower order to take the bowling honours finishing with 4-33 off 15 overs. This meant that Widnes could only reach 111 all out off 48.3 overs. In reply the Recs batsmen never looked in much trouble despite wickets falling as opener Ian Orford plundered a fine 57 but it was left to Tatlock (30 not out) to produce another cavalier innings finishing the game with a towering six as Recs reached 112-4 off 25 overs.

Recs' 3rd DG XI traveled to Wallasey and winning the toss batted first. This looked to be an excellent decision as openers Gibson and Malone smashed the attack with the score passing one hundred before Malone was dismissed for a hard hitting 57.

Recs were always in a strong position as Morrison scored 31 but it was the batting of captain Gibson who reached a superb 84 not out before he declared with the score on 202-4 off 45 overs.

In reply Wallasey made a fight of it with only Sharrock (2 for 30 off 14.2 overs) having an early success as they reached 133-3 going into the last 20 overs.

In an inspired decision Swain was brought on to bowl and he proceeded to rattle through the middle order. In a majestic spell he finished with figures of 5-26 off seven overs which destroyed Wallasey as they were all out for 164 giving Recs a well earned victory.

St. Helens Recs would like to thank South African Victor Faul for his performances on the pitch this year and his gentlemanly attitude off the field as he returns home early due to selection in the games at home. All at the Club wish him well in the forthcoming season.

Next week the 1st XI are at home to Maghull on Saturday, the sponsors being Sherdley Tyres and A1 Taxi's.

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