Half centuries guide Rainhill to victory
Rainhill in 93-run win over Rainford
22nd September 2020
Rainhill 219-4 (Biley Banerjee 99, Mike Rotheram 53, Ravi Mistry 2-31)
Rainford 126 (Andrew Pollitt 21, Ravi Mistry 18, Owen Groom 3-7)
Rainhill won by 93 runs
Rainhill secured an emphatic victory over neighbours Rainford - thanks in no small measure to the batting contributions of openers Biley Banerjee and Mike Rotheram.
Having won the toss, Rainhill opted to bat. Banerjee and Rotheram made their intentions clear from the outset, with the latter (pictured) showing a determination to score quickly as he raced to 53 from just 65 balls. Unfortunately, just after reaching his half-century, Rotheram was bowled by Ben Hemingway.
Owen Groom (22) then came to the crease and batted purposely as he and Banerjee shared a partnership worth 68. He was eventually caught by Elliot Bailey, but at that point Rainhill were already on 162 for 2 and looked in control. Banerjee himself was frustratingly out for 99 - from 137 balls in an innings containing eight 4s and two 6s. While he will be disappointed at not reaching his century, he had played a super innings that had given the home side the upper hand.
Rainhill amassed 219 runs from their 45 overs for the loss of just four wickets. Rainford were unable to chase down the target and, with a strong team performance with the ball that saw eight different bowlers take wickets, Rainhill were bowled out the visitors for 126. Owen Groom took 3-7, his best figures of the 2020 season.
Points: Rainhill 3 pts, Rainford 0pts.