Positives despite Orrell defeat

League leaders emerge triumphant at Victoria Terrace

Rainhill 171-7 (Aidan Calarco 35, Mike Rotheram 34; Arthur Moore 4-35) Orrell Red Triangle 172-2 (Ben Mahoney 86*, Jonathan Cooper 33; John Ball 1-39) Orrell Red Triangle (23 pts) beat Rainhill (4 pts) by eight wickets. Scorecard

Rainhill's recent good form came to and end with a home defeat against league leaders Orrell. However, Rainhill will be able to reflect on several positives and the performance underlined the fact that they can compete with the very best. Having won the toss, Rainhill opted to bat. Openers Mike Rotheram and Aidan Calarco started off well with Calarco playing the kinds of shots that have become expected of him. He made 35 from 43 balls - including 6 fours and a six - before he was caught by Stuart Craig. The opening partnership had added 58 for the first wicket and had frustrated the visitors' bowling attack. Rotheram batted on and was supported firstly by Dan Woodward and then by Sam Waine. Rotheram's approach was more patient that that of Calarco's as he sought to build an innings against a probing attack. He was eventually out for 34 when he fell to Arthur Moore, Orrell's outstanding bowler who finished with figures of 4 for 35. Rainhill slipped to 92 for 5 and looked in serious trouble, but Oliver Powell (pictured) and Adam Edwards were able to provide some middle-order resistance and contributed 26 runs each, setting a decent target. Sam Addy also chipped in with 17 not out to help Rainhill to a total of 171 for 7. Orrell's opening pair of Arthur Moore and Jonathan Cooper played purposefully in a partnership worth 41. However, two wickets in quick succession - from John Ball and Sam Addy - reduced Orrell to 49 for 2. With the game in the balance, Ben Mahoney played a monumental innings for the visitors, hitting a fantastic unbeaten 86. Aided by Logan Pallett (28 not out), Mahoney led Orrell to the target without further loss.

Orrell remain at the top of the 2nd XI First Division and are already 21 points ahead of second-placed Wigan. It's looking very tight in mid-table, however, with a mere eight points between fourth place and eleventh! Rainhill will take a break from league action next Saturday and will instead travel to Northop Hall in the Tittershill Cup. Umpires: Matthew Pennington, David Pallett

Scorers: David Crossley, Emily James