A BATTING collaspe at Bolton consigned St Helens Recs to defeat on Saturday.

Recs won the toss and asked Bolton to bat first. And, despite good bowling from Ford, the home side reached 100 without loss before Sackfield had to retire, hurt having dislocated his knee. Mudasser, who had been dropped on two, went on to make 96 before he was caught and bowled by Freeman. Tole and Freeman bowled well but Bolton declared on 177-1 from 47 overs.

In reply, Recs got off to a good start reaching 60 for the loss of only one wicket.

A dreadful collapse followed. After Martindale was dismissed for 32 the following seven Recs batsmen were dismissed for only seven runs, Tatton having figures of six wickets for four runs. Paul Toole batted well reaching 43 in a fine rearguard action and when Freeman was dropped with only three overs remaining it looked as if Recs might hang on for the draw.

This, however, was not to be the case as the final Recs batsman was bowled in the following over, Recs being dismissed for 80. In the reverse fixture at Ruskin Drive the Recs Second XI produced an exciting match.

After working hard to get the game started as early as possible Bolton, batting first, struggled against some accurate bowling.

Having reached 123-2 off 43 overs the Bolton batsmen tried to push the score along at a more positive rate but wickets fell. It was the spin of Potter which proved to be decisive, taking 7-56 off 22.4 overs forced Bolton into declaring on 170-8 off 52 overs. Left with only a short time to reach the total Recs got off to a good start with an opening partnership of 67 between Orford (36) and Ericson (24). This left them with 20 overs to score the remaining 104 runs, Potter, producing a magnificent all round performance, scoring 34 shared in a fine partnership with Pilkington (30) and despite wickets falling Recs passed the total in the last over reaching 174-6 off only 39 overs. The Third SH XI played hosts to fellow title chasers Sefton RI on Saturday. Winning the toss Recs asked Sefton to bat. Getting off to a good start they had reached 92-3 but at a slow pace. It was the introduction of Hughes and Jones which was the decisive moment of the innings, trying to force the pace Sefton lost five wickets for the addition of only 14 runs and were in trouble at 106-8. There was a small recovery as they were finally bowled out for 133. The bowlers of note being Jones (3-22 off 8.5 overs) and Hughes (3-30 off 10 overs). In reply Recs reached 27 without the loss of a wicket until disaster struck, losing three wickets in one over Recs were forced onto the defensive. Opener Gibson was still there as Recs inched their way towards the total but wickets were falling at the other end. When Gibson was out for a fine 45 the match looked lost for Recs with the score on 75-7, Mike Burrows and Jones then took the score onto 98 before Jones was out, Hughes came in and batting with Burrows took the score to 119, Recs needing only 15 runs from four overs. When Hughes was dismissed Recs were forced to hang on for the draw, reaching 125-9.

This Saturday the First XI are at home to Bootle, the ball being sponsored by Sparks Light and Sound.

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