ST HELENS Recs 1st XI took maximum points with a nine wicket home win over Bolton on Saturday. The visitors batted first, but once again Garvey was in top form, partnered by Paul Ford, and the wickets tumbled.

Ford (2-24) was then replaced by the spin of Freeman who continued the good work as Bolton struggled on.

Freeman finished with 3-26 but it was Garvey who destroyed the visitors, finishing with 5- 56 as Bolton were dismissed for 109 from 48.2 overs.

In reply, the Recs batsmen never looked in trouble and it was Lyon (42 n.o.) who finished the innings with two towering sixes in three balls as Recs reached 115-2 from just 26.4 overs to take the maximum points.

The 2nd XI travelled to Bolton and put the home side in to bat.

Coulton produced a fiery opening spell, finishing with 3-24 from six overs but it was Howden who ripped through the tail to finish with 3-25 from 10 overs as the home side were dismissed for 82 from 24 overs.

In reply, Recs got off to a good start with openers Dunbar and Rana looking in no trouble whatsoever putting on an opening stand of 73 before new boy Rana was out for a superb 45.

Despite a quick flurry of wickets, Recs passed the total, reaching 84-3 from 26 overs to take the points.

On Sunday the 2nd XI travelled to Southport in the Chester Cup. Batting first, the home side were soon in trouble against the pace of Filson and Coulton but managed a comeback with Ford (41) and Caunce (32).

Howden then came on and immediately produced a breakthrough, eventually finishing with 4-21 as the home side were dismissed for 165 from 41 overs. This total included a mammoth 33 extras which would come back to haunt Recs.

In reply, Recs got off to a slow start against some tight bowling and had only reached 18-2 from 13 overs.

Wickets continued to fall as batsmen got themselves in then were dismissed and with 10 overs left Recs needed another 65 but with only two wickets remaining.

When Chorley (31) was ninth out the game looked beyond Recs, despite a huge six from Howden from the bowling of Shukla and Recs eventually finished on 127 all out from only 39.3 overs.

The 3rd JP XI travelled to Liverpool 3rds who put Recs in to bat.

Recs started well with Hunter and Burke both making 49, and eventually went on to total 179-9 declared from 55 overs.

In reply, the Recs' bowling was lax which allowed Liverpool to get off to a flying start. The batsmen were never really troubled as Liverpool reached 180-4 with four overs to spare.

This week the 1st XI play hosts to Highfield on Saturday, the match being sponsored by Dengraphics graphic art and design.