2nds in New Brighton draw

Aidan Calarco's 75 not enough for victory

New Brighton 240-5 (Armand Rabot 79, Sam Jones 66; Tony Bullock 3-35) Rainhill 180-8 (Aidan Calarco 75, Adam Edwards 24: Daniel Hamm 7-69) Rainhill (7pts) drew with New Brighton (9 pts) Scorecard Rainhill's 2nd team held out to earn a draw at New Brighton, with Aidan Calarco once again making his mark with a contribution of 75. Rainhill won the toss and put the hosts in to bat. Rasum Gamage and Armand Rabot got New Brighton off to a great start, racing past 50. Gamage was particularly aggressive, hitting nine boundaries on his way to 41 before Paul Millar struck. The wicket did little to stem the flow of runs and new batsman Sam Jones built a partnership with Rabot worth 115. Rabot and Jones frustrated Rainhill and reached well-deserved half centuries, but both eventually fell to Tony Bullock for 79 and 66 respectively. Bullock and Sam Addy took a further wicket apiece before New Brighton declared on 240 for 5 from 40 overs. It had been a great show of batting from the hosts.

Rainhill lost the early wickets of Mike Rotheram (10) and Ethan Powell (0) but Aidan Calarco - having hit a century in the victory over Highfield last week - led the resistance with a solid 75. Everyone contributed and, while the target proved beyond Rainhill's reach, Adam Edwards (24), Paul Millar (23), Oliver Powell (14) and Sam Waine (15, pictured) made their presence felt and denied the hosts for long periods. While New Brighton's Daniel Hamm took an astonishing 7 for 69 to give his side a great chance of victory, this was denied by heroic defence from Sam Addy (6 runs from 30 balls) and Stevie Pennington (0 from 22). Rainhill will feel more positively about the draw than New Brighton, a result that takes them to fourth spot in the league. Rainhill's next match is at home to Orrell Red Triangle on Saturday 13th May. Umpires: Edward Blowers, John Veacock

Scorers: Martin Humphreys, David Crossley