RAINHILL'S season of frustrating near misses continued with a home draw with Old Xaverians.

Captain Paul Ford lost the toss and Rainhill were inserted on a damp green wicket.

Batting as expected was not easy and the openers moved the score to 32 before Peter Woods was caught for 12 at short leg.

Mike Rotherham was lbw for 14 and Peter Mercer 28 went the same way to leave Rainhill on 69-3.

An excellent flowing partnership between David Bolton and Paul Ford (jnr) accelerated the score to 137 when Ford fell for 34.

David Bolton's stroke play blossomed further and when he was run out for a fine 55 Rainhill declared on 160-5 with maximum batting bonus points.

Rainhill had the luxury of a pre-tea burst at the visitors opening pair but they survived to be 20-0 at tea.

With the first ball after tea Nick Chapman secured the first wicket and the second wicket went at 57 when Paul Ford (jnr) gained his first success.

David Bolton chipped in with a wicket and two further wickets for Ford (jnr) left Old Xaverians on 83-5.

A runout at 105 aided the cause and two quick wickets for Steve Oakes, plus a clean bowled success for Chapman had the visitors at 120-9 with eight overs remaining.

Not for the first time the last wicket proved elusive and despite repeated bowling changes the last pair survived without a chance at 128-9.

Best of the Rainhill bowling Paul Ford jnr 3-19, Steve Oakes 2-4, Nick Chapman 2-36 and David Bolton 1-27.

Rainhill 2nd XI had a welcome success away at Old Xaverians.

They bowled the home side out for 118 with Andy Lewis taking 3-39.

Victory was secured at 119-4, Steve Toghill 52, Luke Tunstall 32 and a battling 19 not out from Andy Lewis.

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