Powell hits 65 in losing cause

Rainhill lost to Wigan by 5 wickets

Rainhill 156 (Ethan Powell 65, Sam Waine 26*; Anurag Sodhani 2-21) Wigan 157-5 (Umair Khaliq 53, Jack Fearnley 30; Paul Ford 1-7) Wigan (25 pts) beat Rainhill (6 pts) by 5 wickets Scorecard Rainhill's slim hopes of promotion were dashed as they fell to a five-wicket defeat at home to Wigan, while South Liverpool conceded their match at Lytham.

The results mean Lytham are confirmed as champions before the final match of the season. Rainhill will finish in second place if they beat South Liverpool, which would be an achievement in itself and no less than the team has deserved this season.

In a low scoring match wickets tumbled regularly, but Rainhill opener Ethan Powell hit an impressive run-a-ball 65 and Sam Waine chipped in with an unbeaten 26 from 38 balls to help Rainhill to a total of 156. Powell's knock was well constructed; a mixture of patience and panache. It may not have seemed a huge total, but Powell and Waine had at least ensured Rainhill had something to bowl at.

The run chase wasn't straightforward for Wigan, who lost five wickets as they pursued their target. Lucy Strettle in particular bowled effectively, and in addition to taking the wicket of Lucas Harrison for 8, she thought she had captain Umair Khaliq caught behind. Khaliq survived the appeals and went on to record his half-century before he was eventually held by Sam Addy off the bowling of Paul Ford. Rainhill's effort could not be faulted but Wigan's Matthew Fiddler (29 not out) and Raghul Sankar (8 not out) were able to steer their team over the finish line in 31.1 overs.