3rd XI lose despite Powell 50
Ethan Powell hits his first half-century of 2021
Sefton Park (Sunday PS) 232-7 (Mike Lowe 66, Jack Stirling 53; Joe Harvey 3-26)
Rainhill 143 (Ethan Powell 52, Joe Harvey 47; Oliver Vasco 3-31)
Sefton Park Sunday (25 pts) beat Rainhill (6 pts) by 89 runs
Rainhill lost away at league leaders Sefton Park, but not without putting in a creditable performance that included a superb half-century from Ethan Powell.
Rainhill won the toss and opted to field. This seemed a good decision as Oliver Powell dismissed openers Michael Orme and Oliver Vasco in quick succession to leave the home side on 15 for 2. However, Jack Stirling and Mike Lowe formed a partnership that was to be worth 115 runs and the momentum swung in Sefton Park's favour.
The partnership was finally broken when Stirling, who had just reached his half-century, was caught by Jeff Fitzhenry off the bowling of Sam Addy. Addy struck again a short while later to remove Daniel Babu for 6, but Paul Stirling then joined Lowe at the crease and another useful partnership for the home side was built - the duo put on 63 for the fifth wicket. An inspired spell by Joe Harvey, in which three wickets fell for five runs, sent Lowe and Stirling back to the pavilion after scoring 66 and 44 respectively. There were to be no further wickets, however, as Louis Jeck-Prestidge (26 not out) and Neil Summers (8 not out) helped Sefton Park to 232 for 7 from 45 overs.
It had been a good display of batting from the hosts and the target was a formidable one. However, Rainhill set about chasing it down and, in spite of losing openers Jeff Fitzhenry and Ste Pennington early, Ethan Powell and Joe Harvey put up a determined fight. They took the score on to 103 and were frustrating Sefton Park's attack.
Unfortunately for Rainhill, Harvey was out for 47 when James Orme had him lbw. Powell resisted the probing Sefton Park attack, but no-one was able to stay with him for long: aside from Sarah Curlett, who made a useful contribution of 13, no-one else succeeeded in getting into double figures. Powell was himself eventually out for 52; he had played a positive innings but the target provied beyond Rainhill.
Rainhill's next home game is at home to Oxton on Sunday.