A TREMENDOUS effort by Peter Mercer failed to prevent Rainhill slipping to defeat at Liverpool Nalgo.

They were in deep trouble at 94-9 when Peter took centre stafed.

His brilliant innings of 77 not out saw him unleash 13 fours and two sixes to take the final total to 170 all out. That's a club record 76-run partnership for the final wicket in only nine overs as Rainhill took double bonus points.

That total should have been easy to defend, but Rainhill's bowling let them down and Liverpool Nalgo won the match by five wickets.

In the reverse, Division Two fixtures leaders Liverpool Nalgo scored a quickfire 169-6 declared from only 38 overs.

Rainhill 2nd XI managed only 72 all out

The Sunday XI nearly didn't get to Sale Moor in South Manchester because of confusion causaed by the roads being re-numbered.

However, Rainhill rattled up 198-3 declared off 43 overs. Young Paul Ford was in fine form scoring 73 including seven fours and a six. Mattie Dale also made a contribution of 57 before being trapped leg before wicket.

In reply Sale Moor hung on for a deserved draw at 161-9with Miss Samantha Burke undefeated on three taking the brunt.

Mike Rotheram's hostile bowling produced 4-50 off 15 and Phil Topping 3-32 off 12. Jeff Fitzhenry took two brilliant catches and Under 15 Stephen Tilley kept wicket to take his only catch of the match.

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