2nds lose ground in title race

Rainhill defeated by Spring View

Rainhill 114 (Matt Lawler 26*, Paul Valentine 20; Matthew Hill 3-20)

Spring View 115-4 (Lewis Pawsey 48, Harry Cooper 26; Paul Valentine 1-11)

Spring View (25 pts) beat Rainhill (4 pts) by 6 wickets Scorecard Rainhill lost ground in the title race on Saturday, falling to a disappointing defeat at home to Spring View. The result leaves them in sixth place after 15 matches but, with only 33 points between them and leaders Leigh, anything can happen in the final few matches.

Rainhill opted to bat first but got off to a less than ideal start with Ethan Powell, Sam Williamson and Phil Morgan all falling victim to Spring View's opening bowler, Matthew Hill. David Pennnington was also out, lbw to Andrew Bowes, as Rainhill slipped to 33 for 4.

Captain Paul Ford offered some resistance but wickets continued to fall. Ford eventually went for 19 when he was run out by Nathan Barnes. When Dan Woodward was also run out, Rainhill were struggling on 51 for 6. Matt Lawler hit a patietn unbeaten 26 and Paul Valentine chipped in with a usefful contribution of 20 to help Rainhill recover a little and post a total of 114. It did not seem like enough and, despite Rainhill's Sam Waine taking a wicket in the second over, Spring View reached their target in less than 24 overs. Lewis Paesey top-scored for the visitors with 48.

Rainhill will look to get back to winning ways when they take on Fleetwood Hesketh on Saturday. Umpires: Matthew Pennington, David Holding

Scorers: David Crossley, Mike Hill

Match ball sponsor: Black Swan Tax Advisers