Rainhill 192-8 (Usman 67, Williamson 26; Souness 2-48)
Formby 191-9 dec (Cockbain 50, Billington 30; Usman 6-58, Ullah 3-45)
Rainhill’s first team secured a team-built win against Formby CC, to register their first home win of the season.
Winning the toss, Rainhill chose to bowl first against an established Formby batting line up. Formby’s captain and former Gloucestershire CCC player Ian Cockbain made 50 and was supported by Tom Billington (30). However, due to a fine bowling display from Rainhill’s overseas professional Khalid Usman, Formby struggled to build partnerships. Usman finished with figures of 20-2-58-6, consistently taking Formby wickets throughout. Khalid was supported by Saeed Ullah who took 3-45. Formby finally declaring on a positive score of 191/9 from their 55 overs.
Rainhill’s openers started well, playing positive shots and progressing at a run rate of nearly 5 for the first 10 overs. Unfortunately, Rainhill struggled to build partnerships. Saeed Ullah came to the crease with the score set at 41-2, he then played an innings of positive defence combined with clean cut hitting towards his score of 67 from 70 balls, including 6 fours and 3 sixes. Saeed, alongside Sam Williamson (26) combined to produce a match winning partnership against some fast, hostile Formby bowling. This resulting in a match winning 6th wicket partnership of 54. Skipper, Jamie Harrison managing to hit the winning runs, from 16 not out to get Rainhill over the line, reaching 192/8 from 45 overs.