Rainhill CC 205-5 dec (Procter 67, Khan 47, Higham 38; Firth 2-50)
Southport & Birkdale CC 211-8 (Dalmeida 64; Ullah 3-32, Usman 3-69)
Losing the toss and being put into bat, Rainhill’s openers started positively, losing their first wicket in the 17th over, with the score on 71. Both openers made solid starts, Bilal Khan, (47) and Ross Higham, (38). Luke Procter pushed the rate in the middle / latter overs, to return a score of 67 not out. Rainhill declaring on 205/5 from 55 overs.
S&B’s batting started productively, with a 2nd wicket partnership of 128. On a pitch that seemed to flatten, Rainhill tolled to take wickets and restrict the batters. Spin combination of Khalid Usman, (3-69) and Saeed Ullah, (3-32) took 3 wickets a piece, the latter turning the momentum of the game by taking the 2nd and 3rd wicket within the same over.
Unfortunately for Rainhill, S&B’s middle and lower order did a stellar job in ensuring their reached their target, eventually finishing with 211-8, in the last over of the day.