UNLUCKY St Helens Recs 1st XI slumped to a five wicket defeat after failing to get the rub of the green with a crucial lbw decision in their game at Worsley on Saturday. After winning the toss, Recs elected to put the home team in to bat first which looked to be a good decision as the hosts were soon in trouble at 28 for four.

Despite a strong appeal from Recs, Worsley's overseas player Dellit was given not out for an lbw, which turned out to be the critical moment of the match.

Aided by Lancashire's Hayhurst (64), Dellit went on to score 115 and shared a 178 partnership enabling Worsley to declare on 234 for 5 from 50 overs.

In reply the Recs batsmen struggled with only Lyon (28)

making runs in the top order. Malone came in and crashed a quick 27, but Recs were dismissed for 114 from 44 overs to lose the game.

The 2nd XI played hosts to top of the table Leigh and at last put on a display to please captain Huyton.

Winning the toss, Leigh were asked to bat first and were soon in trouble against the pace of Filson and Coulton.

Coulton was injured but still finished with 2 for 6 from 8 overs; Logan (2 for 32 from 10 overs) and Ball (2 for 20 from 11 overs) continued the good work leaving the visitors in dire trouble on 64 for 7.

But it was the reintroduction of Filson that provided the killer blow.

Finishing with figures of 3 for 11 from 12 overs he wrapped up the tail to leave Leigh all out for 86 from 43.2 overs.

In reply Recs lost an early wicket but the ship was steadied by Dunbar (20) and Chorley who took the score on to 45 before Dunbar was dismissed.

Chorley stayed there eventually reaching 24 not out, being partnered by Critchley (38 not out) who finished the game off taking 20 from the final over ending with a towering 6 as Recs reached 91 for 2 from 31 overs.

Next week the 1st XI are at home to local team Newton on Saturday, the match being sponsored by Shone Utilities Ltd.