ON Saturday, St Helens visited Hightown knowing that earlier in the season the two sides had fought out a very close drawn game.

It was close again but Hightown who batted first ended up winning by 16 runs.

Sutcliffe 31 and Joshi 33 gave the home side a decent start, but then Sanjay Pandey 4-53 from 19 overs and Mark Potter 3-33 off 10 reduced Hightown to 88-5.

Warren who made 60 and Worrall 31 rescued the home side enabling them to declare at 200-9.

On the restart Saints lost early wickets and when Craig Horabin who made 35 was out the score was 64-4.

Enter Mark Potter. He hit a blistering 55 and it's not the first time he's done it this season, he really is an excellent all round cricketer.

Along with Sanjay Pandey 20 they took the score to 133-5 before Potter was unfortunately run out. Skipper Darren Tyms 19 and Neil Woods 24 made useful runs but when Woods was out at 180-8 Saints folded finishing on 184 all out.

The Second XI played host to Worsley. It was a case of after the Lord Mayor's Show. Saints batting first were dismissed for 122.

Only Gareth Griffiths 22, John Hill 38 (6x4s) and a six, and in the lower order Andy Henderson batted for over an hour for a creditable 23 not out.

Worsley made short work of the total set, winning by eight wickets skipper Sharples finishing on 63 not out and his opening partner Chris Hall 34, Andy Henderson took 2-25. Craig Orrick was sadly missed.

Fleetwood Hesketh were the visitors on Bank Holiday Monday to Windleshaw Road.

They have been going well all season but were soon to receive a bit of a shock.

Fleetwood batted first and lost their first wicket to one of Saints talented juniors Elliot Supria who finished with the commendable figures of 1-24 from 10 overs.

Sanjay Pandey returned his seasons best taking 9-59 a marvellous return as Fleetwood struggled to 132 all out.

On the restart Saints did not find it easy. Ian Lawless who made a steady 27 and Pandey 20 scored at the top of the order but it was left to skipper Darren Tyms 18 not out and Adam Friar 28 not out who together added an unbeaten partnership of 53 to see Saints home to a great win.

They finished on 133-6 to win by four wickets.

St Helens Second XI also had a great win against local rivals St Helens Recs. Batting first Saints could only manage 115.

Young Phil Platt top scored with 26. Recs bowler Jenkins finishing with the excellent figures of 6-33.

At the break you would not have thought 115 would be enough but skipper Alan Sheppard had other ideas as he ripped through the Recs batting finishing with 6-50, his season's best.

He was ably assisted by Barry Fee and Roy Litherland who each took two wickets as Recs were dismissed for 104 which completed an excellent Monday for Saints. Match ball sponsor Wilkinsons.