RAINHILL 1st XI travelled to Liverpool Manweb and recorded a victory in a high-scoring game.

Captain Mike Rotherham won the toss and put the home side in on a firm, flat wicket. Matty Dale claimed the first wicket with the score on only one but after this Rainhill struggled as Manweb moved to 49-2 and 115-3.

The runs flowed at a fast pace as wayward bowling proved expensive. Only Nick Chapman in his second spell managed to stem the scoring with three wickets.

Manweb eventually declared on 212-8 in 50 overs. Best of the Rainhill bowlers were Chapman (3-44) and Dale (3-55).

In reply, Rainhill openers Peter Mercer and Dave Rowe made a steady start in the face of accurate new-ball bowling before the latter departed in the 18th over with the score on 31.

Dominic Sparkes joined Mercer and in only 16 overs they plundered the Manweb attack for 119 runs before Sparkes fell for 27 with the Rainhill score on 157-2.

Mercer continued his attacking play before being bowled for a fighting 97, including 14 fours and a six, with the total on 178-3.

With 34 runs required off seven overs Rainhill lost two further wickets to put the match in the balance. But skipper Rotherham responded positively, well supported by Nick Chapman, as the target was reduced to 12 off two overs and then five off the last.

And Rotherham made no mistake, crashing the fourth delivery to the boundary to record a marvellous victory as Rainhill finished on 213-5 with Rotherham unbeaten on 27.

This weekend Rainhill 1st XI entertain current Merseyside Competition champions, Wavertree.