Fine win over Old Xaverians
2nd XI off to a flying start thanks to Viggars' unbeaten half-century
Old Xaverians 180-5 dec (Joseph Staunton 53*, Mark Dilworth 40, David Pennington 2-47)
Rainhill 184-5 (Mark Viggars 69*, Luis Duffy 41, Joseph Staunton 2-42)
Rainhill won by 6 wickets
Scorecard Rainhill's 2nd XI made a winning start to their 2021 campaign with a hard-fought win at home to Old Xaverians.
Having won the toss the visitors opted to bat first on a surface that looked ideal for batting. Rainhill's David Pennington took the wickets of Old Xaverians' openers Andrew Rose and Sean Stamper for 4 and 10 runs respectively but, from 22-2, the visitors recovered and strong contributions from Jamie Doyle (27 from 33 balls) and Mark Dilworth (40) moved the score beyond 100. When Dilworth holed out to Liam Yate ten runs short of what would have been a deserved half-century Old Xaverians were 103-4.
Spinner Sam Addy bowled James Robson for 20, but Rainhill were unable to take further wickets and a partnership between Joseph Staunton (53 not out) and Nicholas Weeks (19 not out) added 61 runs to the scoreboard. After Staunton reached his half-century from a mere 37 balls, the visitors declared on a healthy-looking 180-5.
Rainhill's openers Biley Banerjee and Luis Duffy played positively and looked to stay ahead of the required run rate. Banerjee looked in good form, hitting five boundaries on his way to 24, before being undone by a good delivery from Joseph Staunton that had him out lbw. With his next ball Staunton dismissed Owen Groom - also lbw - but was denied his hat-trick by Rainhill captain Mark Viggars. Viggars and Duffy put on 68 for the third wicket before the latter was out for 41, bowled by Kieran Grierson.
Liam Yate was out for just 1 but his dismissal only brought Philip Morgan to the crease to join Viggars. The duo showed determination and a few good strokes to guide their side over the finish line. Morgan's unbeaten 36 included five 4s while Viggars' contribution of 69 not out contained nine boundaries.
The six-wicket victory against a strong Old Xaverians' side was the ideal way to start the new season and the team will be looking to build on this result when they travel to Wigan on Saturday.
Umpires: John Veacock, John McCreanney
Scorer: David Crossley