RAINFORD had another mixed weekend, crashing to a six-wicket defeat in the league on Saturday and then cruising into the last four of the Sandhurst Shield the following day.

The league defeat came at the hands of Southport Trinity who seem destined for a serious tilt at the title. Dom Carter once again got Rainford off to a flyer crashing 25 in just 14 balls and then Dalrymple (26), Curren (38) and Williams Jnr (14no) helped to steer the visitors to166.

Trinity, backboned by opener Campbell's 72, reached their target for the loss of only four wickets. Ste Harrison was Rainford's most successful bowler taking 2 for 45.

On Sunday, Rainford travelled to Southport minnows West End and cruised to an eight-wicket success. The Rainford attack in the shape of Robinson (4/14), Harrison (3/12) and Williams Jnr (3/9) all did their averages a power of good, dismissing West End for just 43.

Seven overs later Rainford passed their target, thanks mainly to Carter's unbeaten 26.

The seconds entertained Southport Trinity and went down by four wickets in the dying overs of a hard fought contest.

The fact that the game lasted any length of time was mainly due to Rainford's lower order after the first three wickets fell for just two runs. However Godwin (33), J Pickavance (24), Murgatroyd (40), Haskayne (30) and number ten Andrew Pickavance (31no) picked their side off the floor to reach an impressive 192.

The Trinity reply was dominated by a partnership of 126 from Higgs and Hodgson, but opening bowlers Corden (4/70) and Murgatroyd (2/37) kept the game on the boil but with just three overs to go Rainford went down. Match sponsor J A Cook.